Gregor Townsend is yet to taste the sweet tears of victory over Ireland after eight years and the hex must be broken
The Cheetahs were forced into a late change just hours ahead of the crucial Super Rugby unlocked encounter with the Sharks.
The Top League will feature more foreign stars than ever before in 2020.
Handrè Pollard has made a shock return to the Bulls side to face the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday.
As Eric Rush once said, “this is just one man’s opinion”. Mike Rehu makes his picks for Super Rugby team of the week for Round 9.
The last few years have seen Bulls coaches come-and-go again - Nollis Marais (2016/17) and John Mitchell (2018). Pote Human, the third coach in the new era of coaching musical chairs will hopefully restore some stability.
Stormers maintain a perfect Super Rugby record as Sikhumbuzo Notshe grabs a treble in victory over Cheetahs, while Kriel wins it for Lions.