Vodacom Bulls centre Stedman Gans has been forced to withdraw from the team to face the Lions in their Currie Cup semi-final hours before kick-off.

The Bulls confirmed on Saturday that Gans suffered a hamstring strain and has had to relinquish his place in their match-day squad.

His place in the starting lineup will be taken by utility back Marco Jansen van Vuren, who was originally named on the bench.

21-year-old centre Marnus Potgieter has been called up to bench as a result.

Bulls – 15 David Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Erasmus, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Subs: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jan Uys, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marnus Potgieter.

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images