Tough assignments for early pace-setters

All four sides are unbeaten after the opening two rounds.

After two convincing wins over the Reds and the Blues at Loftus, log leaders the Bulls travel down the N1 highway to face Gauteng rivals the Auto & General Lions in a fixture that never fails to deliver its fair share of fireworks. The match at Coca-Cola Park starts at 17h00 on Saturday.

On early form, the Bulls start as favourites but the Lions have made great strides since last season. The Bulls' confidence is reflected in their settled line-up with just one change being made - Chiliboy Ralepelle starting at hooker ahead of Derick Kuun, who will come off the bench.

The Lions, meanwhile, are regretting their missed opportunities and disciplinary lapses in last week's loss against the Sharks.

“We'll be focusing on lineouts, game discipline, decision making and first time tackles this week,” coach Eugene Eloff wrote on the Lions website. “Ernst Joubert returns from injury this week, as well as Jannes Labuschagne, so there may be some changes to the team. The morale in the camp is still high, and we're still in a good position”.

The second-placed Waratahs host the Highlanders in Sydney on Friday (10h40 SA time). The ‘Tahs have made a solid start and will be looking to capitalize against a Highlanders side that has let the game slip from its grasp in the dying stages of both of their outings to date.

The home side has made two changes to its starting XV, with hooker Adam Freier promoted to the starting line-up ahead of Tatafu Polota-Nau and Tom Carter getting his first chance in the No.12 jersey in place of Timana Tahu.

The match marks an important milestone for stalwart Phil Waugh who will captain the side for the 100th time on Friday. The flanker earned his 100th Super Rugby cap in last year's semi-final win over the Sharks.

The third-placed Brumbies will be looking to maintain consistency when they host the Western Force in the first Aussie derby of the campaign in Canberra on Saturday (10h40). Coach Andy Friend has been able to select an unchanged team with scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs , wings Clyde Rathbone and Francis Fainifo and No 8 Stephen Hoiles all been passed fit to play.

“It's nice to be able to pick the same team for three weeks running,” Friend said. “These guys have got the job done for the first two games; they're building combinations and building some momentum which is very important.”

The Brumbies, whose two previous wins were secured right at the end, will face a Force team that is growing in confidence after its win over the Cheetahs last week.

The Sharks, who are fourth in the standings, play their first tour match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday (08h35).

Despite the Chiefs being without a win, Sharks coach John Plumtree is wary of their opponents.

“They can hurt you from anywhere on the field, so if their forward pack fronts up and gains parity or gets on top of us, obviously it's going to be a big night for us defensively,” said Plumtree.

“The pitch in Hamilton is beautiful, and they will be really desperate, they won't want to go three down. In fairness, they have probably had the hardest draw of any New Zealand side, playing last year's finalists in the opening two weeks away from home,” added Plumtree.

The Chiefs, meanwhile are hoping to have Mils Muliaina (back strain), Sione Lauaki (hamstring strain), and Richard Kahui (bruised hip) back from injury.

The Chiefs have won against the Sharks in the last two games at Waikato Stadium.

Much attention will be on the Vodacom Stormers when they host the injury-ravaged Blues at Newlands at 19h10 on Saturday.

The Cape side will be looking to silence its critics after last week's below par defensive effort against the Reds. Although they won the match 27-24, it was the first time the Stormers had conceded four tries in a match since Rassie Erasmus took over as coach last year.

Forwards coach Gary Gold described it as a wake-up call: “It was really disappointing. We are a team that defends well and maybe it was just over-eagerness that led to one or two players not staying in position in the defensive line,” explained Gold.

Meanwhile, veteran Springbok Percy Montgomery has been included in the Stormers starting line-up ahead of current Springbok No 15 Conrad Jantjes. Flyhalf Willem de Waal has been drafted into the match 22.

The Blues will arrive at Newlands on the back foot after a drubbing by the Bulls and with several key players injured. To make matters worse, wing Rene Ranger is suspended after a judicial hearing found him guilty of making a high and late tackle on Bulls hooker Derick Kuun.

The good news, however, is that Joe Rokocoko will join the squad in Cape Town after the arrival of his baby, and both Isaia Toeava and Tony Woodcock have been cleared to play after picking up niggles against the Bulls.

The Vodacom Cheetahs go in search of that elusive maiden overseas win when they face the Reds in Brisbane on Sunday (08h00).

The Cheetahs have suffered two narrow losses in their opening matches and will be hoping that the ball will bounce in their favour at some stage. They will be well acclimatized against a Reds team returning from a disappointing trip to South Africa.

The Cheetahs will be boosted by news that captain Juan Smith and flank Heinrich Brussow have been declared fit as well as by the return of wing Jongi Nokwe and centre Corne Uys to the match 22. The starting XV is still to be named.

Wallaby Hugh McMeniman is set to return for the Reds after missing the first two rounds. He is likely to be selected at lock rather than his preferred blindside flanker position, following strong performances by 22-year-old Scott Higginbotham in South Africa.

The weekend's action gets underway with the New Zealand derby between reigning champions the Crusaders and the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Friday (08h35).

The home side, which went down against the Brumbies last week, will be boosted by the return of skipper Richie McCaw and lock Brad Thorn. McCaw suffered a head knock against the Chiefs in the Crusaders' first-round victory and Thorn has recovered from his heel injury.

Scrumhalf Andy Ellis has been ruled out though and his place will be taken by Kahn Fotuali'. Hooker Corey Flynn has a broken arm and is likely to be out for the rest of the season. His place will be taken by Jason Macdonald.

Fullback Leon MacDonald, who injured his shoulder against the Chiefs, will again sit out.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have made seven changes after their unconvincing win over the Highlanders last week. Captain Rodney So'oialo returns from a one-week suspension, replacing Victor Vito at the back of the scrum.

In other changes in the pack, Tim Fairbrother starts ahead of Neemia Tialata at tighthead and Karl Lowe replaces Faifili Levave at blindside flank.

In a reshuffled backline, Piri Weepu plays flyhalf, with Alby Mathewson at scrumhalf. The centre combination of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith return to the starting line-up in place Jason Kawau and Tamati Ellison respectively. Zac Guildford returns to the team at right wing in place of David Smith, who is being rested.

The Crusaders will start as favourites in what is usually a close-fought encounter.