The five men who will aid Bulls, Lions' Kuropean ambitions

THE Champions and Challenge Cups kick off this weekend, and the Highveld will host two matches when the Bulls take on champions Bordeaux at 5.15pm tomorrow at Loftus Versfeld, and the Lions entertain Benetton at 3pm at Ellis Park. Adding rich flavour to the fixtures is the return of the international players from the November Autumn Series in Europe. We look at five players who could influence the outcome of the matches.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Handre Pollard (Bulls)

After six years in Europe, Pollard is back at the Blue Bulls union that launched his brilliant career.

During his time away from Pretoria, he has been key to the Springboks winning two World Cups. But this year, the 31-year-old dropped down the flyhalf pecking order to third behind Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok. The Champions Cup is the pettect platform for Pollard to show he still has what it takes while giving the Bulls calmness in a vital position.

Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions)

The Lions prop was called up to the Springbok tour after Ox Nche was badly injured. This week, the big fellow spoke reverently about what he learned at the Boks. He added that provincial players should aspire to the standards set by the national team.