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The capital side\u00a0welcomes the return of Scotland internationals Duhan van der Merwe (calf), Grant Gilchrist (quad) and D\u2019arcy Rae (ankle), all of whom\u00a0return from injury to be named in the starting XV.<\/p>\n
Completing the changes\u00a0are\u00a0British & Irish Lion Pierre Schoeman, Magnus Bradbury and Wes Goosen, who return alongside young back-row Liam McConnell \u2013 the quartet restored to the line-up after being rested for last weekend\u2019s European defeat.<\/p>\n
This Friday night\u2019s clash marks a return to Hive Stadium where Edinburgh are looking to maintain a perfect home record this season, having claimed victories over Benetton, Ospreys, RC Toulon, and Gloucester so far.<\/p>\n
Edinburgh and Bulls\u00a0met twice in knockout rugby last term, when Sean Everitt\u2019s men secured\u00a0a thrilling 33-28 victory at Hive Stadium in the EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter-Final, before the Bulls claimed revenge in Pretoria with a 42-33 win in the BKT URC Quarter-Final.<\/p>\n
Head Coach Sean Everitt said: \u201cIt\u2019s fantastic to welcome back such an experienced cohort of players for what is undoubtedly one of our biggest tests of the season. Having the likes of Duhan, Grant and D\u2019arcy back from injury, alongside Pierre, Wes and Liam gives the squad a massive lift.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know exactly what the Vodacom Bulls bring. Their squad is packed with Springbok talent and they play a physical, high-intensity brand of rugby. We have to match that physicality from the very first minute if we want to come out on top.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cWe are proud of our unbeaten run at Hive Stadium this season and we want to keep it that way for our fans. They have been incredible all year, and it\u2019s vital they get behind us from the first whistle\u00a0this\u00a0Friday night to help us get the result this team is working so hard for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harry Paterson, who made an impressive return from injury last weekend, retains his spot at full-back. He is joined in the back three by Scotland\u2019s leading all-time try-scorers, Darcy Graham and the returning Van der Merwe.<\/p>\n
In the midfield, Goosen \u2013 who featured at outside centre in last month\u2019s victory over RC Toulon \u2013 partners James Lang. The half-back pairing remains unchanged, with scrum-half Ben Vellacott and stand-off Ross Thompson steering the ship.<\/p>\n
Up front, tighthead Rae makes his first appearance since the Autumn Nations Series, packing down alongside British & Irish Lions Schoeman and Ewan Ashman. Double-centurion Gilchrist returns to partner Glen Young in the engine room.<\/p>\n
The back-row features an exciting blend of youth and experience.<\/p>\n
Club captain Magnus Bradbury returns at number 8 to start alongside promising back-row duo McConnell (21) and Freddy Douglas (20). Both youngsters were named in Scotland\u2019s Guinness Six Nations squad earlier this week following a string of standout performances.<\/p>\n