Morne Steyn will start for the Vodacom Bulls in their Vodacom Super Rugby opener against the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

Steyn, who returned to the Pretoria-based franchise following a stint in France, will make his first Super Rugby start since 2013 as he is preferred at flyhalf above the promising Manie Libbok, who is on the bench.

The 35-year-old forms the halfback combination with Ivan van Zyl, while Embrose Papier, who enjoyed a successful loan to the Sale Sharks in Manchester, will provide backup.

After starting at outside centre in the SuperHero Sunday warm-up, Cornal Hendricks reverts to his regular position at wing, with Rosko Specman and Warrick Gelant completing the back three.

Among the forwards, new signing Josh Strauss will make his Bulls debut at No 8 in a loose trio with Abongile Nonkontwana and Jeandre Rudolph.

There is also a return to the Bulls lineup for Juandre Kruger, who forms a tough second-row combination with Andries Ferreira.

Springbok prop Lizo Gqoboka and Trevor Nyakane are both in the squad having recovered from their respective injuries. Gqoboka will start alongside hooker Jaco Visagie and tighthead Wiehahn Herbst, with Nyakane named among the substitutes.

Bulls coach Pote Human has gone for a 5-2 split on the bench, with Papier and Libbok the only backline replacements.

Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Subs: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Ryno Pieterse, 21 Wian Vosloo, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Manie Libbok.

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