Dan Bowden will play at second-five for the Crusaders against the Bulls in Pretoria this weekend. Bowden replaces Ryan Crotty, who has played in every match since round three this season.
Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder said the change was to give Crotty a rest and also allowed for a few different options on the field.
"Dan gives us a different few kicking options which we believe will be important for this match. Ryan has shown signs of fatigue so he is being rested."
Bowden has started one other game this season - in the victory over the Cheetahs at AMI Stadium on April 17. He has also played off the bench against the Force and Stormers over the last two weeks.
In other changes to last weekend’s line-up against the Stormers, Ti’i Paulo starts at hooker instead of the injured Corey Flynn, Ben Franks starts ahead of his brother Owen at tighthead prop, and Andy Ellis starts at halfback ahead of Kahn Fotuali’i.
Midfielder Tim Bateman is on the reserves bench. His last game for the Crusaders was the victory over the Cheetahs.
Assistant coach Daryl Gibson has returned to New Zealand due to the death of a grandparent.
Crusaders team
1. Wyatt Crockett , 2. Ti'i Paulo , 3. Ben Franks , 4. Brad Thorn , 5. Chris Jack , 6. George Whitelock , 7. Richie McCaw (c) , 8. Kieran Read , 9. Andy Ellis , 10. Dan Carter , 11. Zac Guildford , 12. Dan Bowden , 13. Robbie Fruean , 14. Sean Maitland , 15. Colin Slade
16. Dan Perrin , 17. Owen Franks , 18. Sam Whitelock , 19. Thomas Waldrom , 20. Kahn Fotuali'i , 21. Tim Bateman , 22. Jared Payne
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