The Tshwane-based side will square up against the Welsh outfit that have been bolstered by the return of some of their international players who have recently been on duty in the Six Nations.

The Vodacom Bulls, who have claimed crucial victories in their previous two Vodacom URC games against visiting teams at Loftus (a 29-24 win over Munster a fortnight ago, and a 57-12 win against Scarlets last week) will be hoping to make it three consecutive wins at home, and four on the trot after also beating Zebre Parma 45-7 in Italy last month.

Marcell Coetzee will once again lead his charges this week as he returns to the starting XV at No 8, replacing Elrigh Louw, who gets a break this weekend.

In the backline, Papier will start at scrumhalf, with Zak Burger providing cover from the bench, while Mapoe returns to outside centre where he replaces Cornal Hendricks, who has been named among the replacements.

"This week we are up against a Dragons side that has welcomed back at least three of their internationals from Welsh duty, so that is a reflection of the strong team we will be facing," said Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White.

"This is a side that is well-coached and has shown how dangerous they can be. They will be motivated to do well and begin their tour of South Africa on a positive note. We will need to be at our very best if we intend to stop this side that can pose a real challenge."

The match will kick-off at 19h15 and it will be televised on SuperSport.

Vodacom Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Cornal Hendricks.