Steenkamp, who played for the Sharks in the Super 14 competition as a loan player, replaces Flip van der Merwe, who was called up for Springbok duties during the week and is the only change to the team that beat the Pumas in the opening game of the Currie Cup competition.

Blue Bulls coach, Frans Ludeke, said it is great to have being able to use Steenkamp for this important encounter.

“We are lucky to have someone of the calibre of Wilhelm to replace Flip. He might have been with the Sharks during the Super 14, but it would be totally unprofessional to expect of him to share some secrets from that experience,” Ludeke said.

“What we do expect from him is what we got in the past, an honest effort in the blue jersey.”

There is a change on the bench as well, with injured Juandré Kruger being replaced by Bêrend Botha.

The team is: Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Gerhard van den Heever, Stephan Dippenaar, Stefan Watermeyer, John Mametsa, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Ruan Snyman, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Derick Kuün, Deon Stegmann, Fudge Mabeta, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha (c), Dean Greyling. Replacements: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Bêrend Botha, CJ Stander, Danie Faasen, Francois Brummer, Hayden Groepes.

?The Blue Bulls u.21-side, who started on a winning note against Boland two weeks ago, have again being able to pick a strong team to play the Sharks.

The team is: Justin van Staden, Deon Helberg, Ernst Dinkelman, Simphiwe Mtimkulu, Clayton Blommetjies, Marnitz Boshoff (c), Poerie van Rooyen, Jono Ross, Marnus Schoeman, Tendayi Chikukwa, Cornell Hess, Andries Ferreira, Rossouw de Klerk, AJ le Roux, Morné Mellett. Replacements: Robbie Coetzee, Vincent Koch, Peet Vorster, Dalton Davis, Branco du Preez, Adri Jacobs, Willie Nell.

?The u.19 side, who started their season with a convincing win against the Griffons last week, is looking to kick on from that demanding performance.

They play the Sharks as well.

The team is: Pieter Oosthuizen, Courtnall Skosan, Bradley Moolman, Francois Venter, Mauritz Lombard, Pieter van der Walt, Lohan Jacobs, Arno Botha (c), JP le Grange, Lean Schwartz, Jose Julies, Gerno Eksteen, Stephanus Pretorius, Bongi Mbonambi, Juan Schoeman. Replacements: Jaques Momberg, Paul Groenewald, JJ Breedt, Sandile Ngwenya, Xander Redelinghuys, Franco Maritz, Hagen Mumba.