Scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl will make his first Currie Cup start for the Vodacom Blue Bulls against Griquas on Saturday.

He replaces Francois Hougaard, who will be attending his sister's wedding.

The Bulls will also be without Hanro Liebenberg, who has been ruled out for a month after suffering a ruptured small intestine against Western Province.

They do, however, welcome back Arno Botha from injury with the former Bok starting at No 8. Jannes Kirsten, who made his debut off the bench last weekend, is at blindside flank.

Blue Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Lappies Labuschagne (c), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Dean Greyling.
Subs: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Nick de Jager, 20 André Warner, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Dan Kriel.

Photo: Johan Rynners/Gallo Images