Wales hooker Lake returns for Ospreys at Bulls

United Rugby Championship: Bulls v Ospreys

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Date: Saturday, 27 April Kick off: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Live on S4C via iPlayer. Match report on the BBC Sport website and app. Highlights, Scrum V Sunday, 28 April, BBC Two Wales from 18:00 BST and later on demand.

Wales' World Cup co-captain Dewi Lake is set to return for Ospreys following a three-month injury lay-off.

Hooker Lake has not played since rupturing his hamstring on the eve of the Six Nations in January.

But he is included on the bench for Ospreys' United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture against Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

Wales forwards Justin Tipuric, Adam Beard and Gareth Thomas also return while Bulls are without suspended fly-half Johan Goosen.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth makes six changes to the side that beat Stormers 27-21 in Cape Town last week.

Number eight Morgan Morris and half-back pair Jack Walsh and Luke Davies all start while wing Luke Morgan makes his 100th club appearance.

Booth said: "When you come to South Africa, you know it'll be really tough, but Dewi wouldn't have it any other way. He loves an abrasive challenge.

He added: "We had a lot of travel last week and then game itself was 42 minutes ball in play. So the back-rowers in particular were basically dead on their feet.

"We had a plan across the two games and we knew Justin would be available for the second game. But we trust the players, whoever takes the field.

"International quality coming in is never to be balked at from any coach.

"We've freshened things up and they'll bring that energy and effort required."

Ospreys have won all four league and European games against South African opposition this season.

That has lifted them into URC play-off contention with just three points separating sides from fifth to 11th in the table.

Bulls have lost their last three, in all competitions, but remain fourth in the URC, three places and six points above Ospreys.

"Not many people will give us much of a chance when looking at the fixtures," said Booth.

"I don't think you could pick three tougher games in a row than Stormers, Bulls and then Leinster [next week] all away.

"But we're in it for the challenge and I think Welsh rugby has gained a little respect down here in South Africa after last week's result."

Bulls: Willie Le Roux; Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Chris Smith, Embrose Papier; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Ruan Vermaak, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw (capt), Cameron Hanekom

Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Janko Swanepoel, Jannes Kirsten, Zak Burger, Jaco van der Valt, Devon Williams

Ospreys: Max Nagy; Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Jack Walsh, Luke Davies; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Rhys Henry, Adam Beard, Huw Sutton, Morgan Morse, Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris.

Replacements: Dewi Lake, Nicky Smith, Ben Warren, James Ratti, Harri Deaves, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Evardi Boshoff.

Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadzweni, Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)

TMO: Andrew Brace (IRFU)