Three Springboks returning from Tri-Nations duty, Francois Hougaard, Flip van der Merwe and Dewald Potgieter, has been included, while a fourth, Chiliboy Ralepelle, will start off the bench.

Hougaard replaces Ruan Snyman at scrumhalf, Van der Merwe slots in for Wilhelm Steenkamp and Potgieter replaces injured Deon Stegmann on the side of the scrum.

In another enforced chance, Jaco Engels, will start at prop in place of Dean Greyling. Juandré Kruger will also start in his first match since returning from Northampton Saints earlier in the season.

The injured Greyling and Stegmann were victims of the unexpected loss to the Free State Cheetahs last weekend and according to Ludeke, his side need to bounce back immediately.

“We will have to. Our task will not be made any easier by the Lions, who are also smarting after their loss to Griquas last weekend. They want to get back to winning ways too and although it is early in the season, one can say it will be a clash between two desperate teams.”

Blue Bulls captain, Gary Botha, said the new players slotted in seamlessly, ‘because we all have the same vision for the Bulls’.

“We are looking to improve week by week and I think we are getting there. Losing creates pressure and playing the Lions at their home ground will be a pressure cooker. It is our responsibility to adapt to those pressures in a positive way,” Botha said.

The team is: Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Gerhard van den Heever, Stephan Dippenaar, Stefan Watermeyer, John Mametsa, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Dewald Potgieter, Derick Kuün, Juandré Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha (c), Jaco Engels. Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Bees Roux, Fudge Mabeta, CJ Stander, Ruan Snyman, Francois Brummer, Hayden Groepes.