The Bulls have named their team to face the Sharks in this season’s Super Rugby opening match at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

As expected Pierre Spies will captain the team and former Stormers back Johann Sadie has been thrown straight into the action.

Francois Hougaard has been named at scrum half.

The Bulls have a new look to them as nine out of the match-day 22 will be winning their first Bulls Super Rugby cap if they all get on to the field.

The Bulls newcomers are Johann Sadie, Francois Venter, Jacques Potgieter, Juandre Kruger, Willie Wepener, CJ Stander, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouche and JJ Engelbrecht.

The player with the most Super Rugby caps for the Bulls is Morne Steyn on 89 caps closely followed by Pierre Spies on 72 and Akona Ndungane on 67 Super Rugby caps.

Bulls (Super Rugby Caps in brackets)

Zane Kirchner (54), Akona Ndungane (67), Johann Sadie (7) , Francois Venter (0) , Bjorn Basson (25), Morne Steyn (89), Francois Hougaard (29), Pierre Spies (72, c), Jacques Potgieter (0) , Deon Stegmann (55), Juandre Kruger (0) , Flip van der Merwe (34), Werner Kruger (58), Chiliboy Ralepelle (35), Dean Greyling (15).

Replacements:

Willie Wepener (40) , Frik Kirsten (2), Wilhelm Steenkamp (36), CJ Stander (0) , Jano Vermaak (62) , Louis Fouche (0) , JJ Engelbrecht (0) .