Pretoria - Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has included former Stormers centre Johann Sadie in the starting XV for their Super Rugby season opener against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

Kick-off is at 19:10.

Sadie is one of nine players in the match 22 who will turn out for the Bulls for the first time in Super Rugby competition.

Baby Bok Francois Venter will partner Sadie in the midfield, providing an exciting new centre combination.

Former EP Kings loose forward Jaques Potgieter will also receive his first starting berth for the Bulls in Super Rugby.

Otherwise, the team has a familiar look to it, with 11 Springboks in the starting line-up.

Teams:

Bulls:

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jaques Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling

Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 JJ Engelbrecht

Sharks:

TBA