Nine Springboks in the Bulls line-up to face the Stormers

The Bulls will be captained by Adriaan Strauss, one of nine Springboks in the team, when they face the Stormers at Newlands this weekend.

Warrick Gelant (fullback), Nic de Jager (flank), Jannes Kirsten (flank) and RG Snyman (lock) will make debuts at this level, with Lizo Gqoboka (prop) and Jason Jenkins (lock) the rookies on the bench - making this a reasonably young side.

"They are playing for us because they are good enough. I have faith in this group. Yes, we have some injuries, but that is part of the rugby landscape. I back this team to go down to Cape Town and do us proud," said coach Nollis Marais.

"We certainly will be up against it and could not have asked for a tougher assignment than this. This group of players have the talent to become a special team, so if they can find some continuity and momentum in the game, we will be competitive."

"We have definite goals for the season. This is a new team, new era and for that matter, a new competition. We have very skilful players and if we can guarantee them enough ball, they will score tries. We need to be competitive upfront and if we are, I believe we will be in with a good chance. We are playing a very solid team at home though, so does not really have an option to take our best game to Newlands."

The team (with Super Rugby caps) is: Warrick Gelant (0), Travis Ismaiel (6), Jesse Kriel (17), Jan Serfontein (36), Bjorn Basson (86), Francois Brummer (5), Rudy Paige (21), Arno Botha (33), Jannes Kirsten (0), Nic de Jager (0), Grant Hattingh (48), RG Snyman (0), Marcel van der Merwe (33), Adriaan Strauss (118, c), Trevor Nyakane (58). Replacements: Jaco Visagie (3), Lizo Gqoboka (0), Hencus van Wyk (1), Jason Jenkins (0), Roelof Smit (3), Piet van Zyl (54), Tian Schoeman (7), Burger Odendaal (10).