Thirteen Springboks, two Sevens internationals and 23 players with Super Rugby experience are amongst those who are currently training with the Bulls ahead of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

The wider training group of the Bulls consists of 15 players who have won tournament medals with the squad in previous years.

Four players - Lionel Cronjé and Johann Sadie (Stormers), Jano Vermaak and Wilhelm Steenkamp (Cheetahs) - played for other franchises in 2011, while Willie Wepener, who played for the Lions in previous years, recently returned from French club Clermont. 

Dawie Steyn (Pumas) and Daniel Adongo (Sharks) are new recruits.

The youth policy followed by the union this year also resulted in numerous junior players being involved in the squad. 

This includes South African Under-20 players Arno Botha, Francois Venter, Ulrich Beyers, Jean Cook (signed from Cheetahs) and Bongi Mbonambi.

Members of the Under-.21 Cup-winning Blue Bulls side are also training with the squad, including Sampie Mastriet, Clayton Blommetjies, Adri Jacobs and Franco Mostert.

LB Lusaseni, who is contracted at the Leopards, is also training with the squad, although the Lions have first option on his eventual services.

Commenting on the pre-season training, Bulls head coach Frans Ludeke warned that hard work awaits the squad.

"We have lost some great players due to retirements and overseas contracts, but I am excited about the change of guard within the squad. We had a proud history in Super Rugby in recent times and will work very hard to emulate that,” Ludeke said.

Those who have left the Bulls' kraal include  long-time captain Victor Matfield, utility forward Derick Kuün and utility back Jaco Pretorius (all retired), lock Bakkies Botha, hooker Gary Botha, prop Gurthrö Steenkamp, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, utility forward Danie Rossouw (all playing abroad), backs Gerhard van den Heever, Stephan Dippenaar, Stefan Watermeyer, Francois Brummer and Jaco van der Westhuyzen (all released from their contracts).

The Bulls will stay at Loftus Versfeld for pre-season training this year and not travel to George for a training camp.

The Bulls' wider training group:

Backs: Zane Kirchner, Jurgen Visser, Lionel Cronjé, Clayton Blommetjies, Bjorn Basson, JJ Engelbrecht, Sampie Mastriet, Akona Ndungane, Ulrich Beyers, Adri Jacobs, Wynand Olivier, Johann Sadie, Francois Venter, Louis Fouché, Morné Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Ruan Snyman, Jano Vermaak.

Forwards: Pierre Spies (captain), CJ Stander, Arno Botha, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Daniel Adonga, Jean Cook, Dewald Potgieter, Jacques Potgieter, Jono Ross, Warwick Tecklenburg, Deon Stegmann, Juandré Kruger, Mthunzi Mabeta, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Flip van der Merwe, LB Lusaseni, Cornell Hess, Franco Mostert, Werner Kruger, Rossouw de Klerk, Frik Kirsten, Dean Greyling, Morné Mellett, Dawie Steyn, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Willie Wepener, Robbie Coetzee, Bongi Mbonambi.