PRETORIA - The Bulls have assembled a formidable squad that includes 12 Springboks ahead of this year’s Super Rugby campaign. And they have made no secret that they want to win it.
The young and inexperienced faces that made up the majority of the team last year have seemingly been transformed into championship stock that coach Nollis Marais expects to challenge for top honours in the competition.
Former Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss will continue to lead the team. But in his
absence, due to rehabilitation from a back operation, Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard will captain the side in at least their first three games - against the Stormers, Cheetahs and Sunwolves.
Another former Springbok Jacques Potgieter makes a return to the Bulls after leaving in 2013 to play in Japan, the Waratahs in Australia and more recently the Sharks.
Potgieter’s experience will not only come in handy helping the youngsters in the side but the former Bok flank will act as cover at lock as well, a position he excelled in while at the Waratahs when they were crowned Super Rugby champions.
Namibian international and former Sharks eighthman Renaldo Bothma will get an opportunity to make his debut along with former Stormers utility back Johnny Kotze and prop Martin Dreyer.
Springboks Jan Serfontein (48) and Arno Botha (46) should reach the milestone of making their 50th Super Rugby appearance for the Bulls.
Botha is set to leave the franchise at the end of the season to take up a lucrative contract in Ireland.
Marais has also selected a few Super Rugby first timers with Luther Obi, Jade Stighling, JT Jackson, Tony Jantjies, Duncan Matthews, Kefentse Mahlo, Sibahle Maxwane, André Warner, Shaun Adendorff, Ruan Steenkamp, Conraad van Vuuren, John-Roy Jenkinson and Corniel Els all likely to make their debut during the course of the season.
“It is exciting times for us," Marais said. “We are keen to get going. A lot of the players experienced Super Rugby last season for the first time, so they will have a much better understanding of what to expect. We have one or two players out with injury still, but that gives another guy the opportunity to grow and gain experience” .