Bulls duo face fitness tests

The Bulls have been hit by another injury whammy with wing Bryan Habana pulling up injured at practice with a hamstring problem ahead of Saturday's Super 14 clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

On the same day that Fourie du Preez, last week's other hero, was named as captain for the game, Habana now joins hooker Gary Botha as two players who will undergo a late fitness test on Friday in order to check if they are able to take their places in the team.

The team named on Wednesday sees Victor Matfield get a rest on the bench after a request was put forward by the national selectors and Springbok coach Jake White.

Meyer denied that the team was taking the game lightly, or had written it off before the tour.

"The move to rest Victor came after our discussion with the national selectors. I have to rest him sometime, and this is the best time.

"The injuries in the backline mean I can't rest other players as I would have liked."

The loss of the two stalwarts could be crippling to a side who are already without first choice players Richard Bands, Pierre Spies, Wynand Olivier, JP Nel, Johan Roets and Chiliboy Ralepelle. Against a Crusaders side keen to impress ahead of their All Blacks returning, it could be fatal.

Bulls team:

Jaco van der Westhuyzen; Akona Ndungane, Marius Delport, Wayne Julies, Bryan Habana; Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez (captain); Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Danie Rossouw, Francois van Schouwenburg, Bakkies Botha, Danie Thiart, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp.

Reserves: Derick Kuün, Ruan Vermeulen, Victor Matfield, Anton Leonard, Heinie Adams, Morne Steyn, Frikkie Welsh.