Bulls coach Nollis Marais will have to make a few tough decisions when he picks his starting team for Super Rugby.

Many of the younger Bulls players impressed during last year’s Currie Cup and are likely to be rewarded with Super Rugby action in 2016. The headache for Marais is whether to play the like of Jamba Ulengo and Travis Ismaiel ahead of a more experienced player like Bjorn Basson. It is a similar case with many other positions in the team, with a number of the Bulls regular starters returning from injury, time off or other playing commitments.

‘I have a good idea of what the team will look like against the Stormers [on 27 February], but it is important that all the players are switched on by then [and ready to go],’ Marais told Die Burger.

New signings from the Kings, prop Lizo Gqoboka and wing Luther Obi, have impressed in training for the Pretoria-based side, along with lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg.

‘Lizo has a lot of talent and will definitely play Super Rugby,’ Marais said. ‘Nicolaas was excellent at No 7 [in training]. He is actually a lock, but has shown he will give us more options at flank as well.’

The Bulls play warm-up fixtures against the Cheetahs and the Lions before their opening Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Newlands on 27 February.

Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images