Cape Town - New Bulls captain Pierre Spies is excited about starting a new era at the union after they lost several key players.

Despite losing key players in Springboks Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw and Fourie du Preez, Spies is positive as they prepare for a warm-up game against the Cheetahs in Polokwane this weekend.

"A lot of adaptations were needed, but it wasn't so difficult. Everyone, the players, the management and coaches all started to pull in the same direction which made the transition easy. It's something that I'm really grateful for as the new captain," Spies told the Beeld newspaper.

And the skipper is goal-oriented about where they're headed as a team.

"We want to start something new. We realise it was the end of an era but we're keen to start building another one. Everyone's energy is positive and we are keen to get going."

He assured that his team-mates also share his sentiments. "The guys are quietly excited and one wonders how things could turn out. I'm full of confidence and I have faith in the players that we have and I'm sure we can make a good season of it," said Spies.

Spies also said the change in this year's competition has altered their approach slightly as the competition will break for international matches. "We had to (change approach) because the format is different. It (the break in between) changes the picture considerably. Our preparation takes it into consideration, but the secret will be not to get too far ahead of ourselves. Do the first things first and focus on the week that lies ahead," said Spies.

A largely second-string Bulls team defeated the Kings 16-12 in Port Elizabeth last week but they are expected to name a full strength line-up for Saturday's clash against the men from Bloemfontein.

Teams:

Bulls:

TBA

Cheetahs:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Philip Snyman, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Pieter van Zyl, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.

Substitutes: TBA