Bulls prop Dawie Steyn will earn his first Super Rugby start against the Brumbies after Dean Greyling failed to recover from a shoulder injury.

The former Pumas prop comes in to the starting line up in place of Greyling who did not recover in time for the match with a bruised shoulder.

Steyn has been in excellent form in the Vodacom Cup and coach Frans Ludeke is keen to see how the former Affies pupil will handle the Australians.

"Dawie has been part of the squad since pre-season and has developed the way we hoped and expected. He will be very keen for this opportunity and I am sure he will do very well."

Ludeke earlier said they will be looking for a better start than recent weeks.

The Bulls could go top of the South African conference if they beat the Brumbies with a bonus point.

Bulls:

Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson, Morné Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies (c), Jacques Potgieter, CJ Stander, Juandré Kruger, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dawie Steyn.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Frik Kirsten, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Arno Botha, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouché, Johann Sadie.