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.

Baby Bok Francois Venter will play alongside Sadie in the Bulls midfield and Former EP Kings loose forward Jaques Potgieter gets his first Bulls start.

Francois Hougaard has been named at scrum half and will partner Morne Steyn as he did while Fourie du Preez was injured last season.

With Jano Vermaak on the bench Hougaard could be moved out to wing if the Bulls need cover.

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.

While there are plenty of new faces for the Bulls they are more familiar faces as the team has 11 Springboks in the starting line-up.

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) .