The Bulls, Investec Super Rugby's newest dynasty, will play warm-up matches against the Eastern Province Kings and a Premier selection XV as they countdown to their title defence.
The Pretoria based side, winners of three of the last four titles, are gearing up for the expanded season, with the squad assembling yesterday after their Christmas break.
They had a training camp in George, without their international contingent, before dispersing for 2010.
Wynand Olivier, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Fourie du Preez, Victor Matfield, Gary Botha and Danie Rossouw, who all carried injuries and niggles into the New Year, will be assessed by Bulls medical staff before taking part in the first training sessions of the year.
Bjorn Basson and Chiliboy Ralepelle will not link up with the Bulls yet, as they await the outcome of a South African Rugby Union (SARU) judiciary.
Both tested positive to a banned substance while touring with the Springboks on their failed Grand Slam tour.
The Bulls first pre-season match will be against the Kings in Port Elizabeth on January 29, and a week later will play the Premier XV (consisting primarily of players from the Mpumalanga Pumas) at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium on February 5.
The champions will travel to Johannesburg to open their campaign against the Lions on February 19.
Match promoter Willem Strauss, speaking to the Bulls official site at thebulls.co.za, said the Premier XV match will be an exciting one.
“The Pumas did beat the Blue Bulls and Golden Lions in Currie Cup, so will be good competition," he said.
"They also made the Sharks and Lions work real hard in warm-up fixtures last year. The match also gives the thousands of Bulls fans in the Lowveld a great opportunity to see their favourite team in action and we expect a sell-out crowd at this iconic stadium.”
The Kings are expected to enter Super Rugby in 2012, and the match is part of SARU's efforts to prepare the new franchise.
Wilhelm Steenkamp (Cheetahs), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (Sharks), Pedrie Wannenburg (Ulster), Heini Adams (Bordeaux), Jaco Engels (Kings), Bandise Maku (Lions) and John Mametsa (retired) will not be involved with the Bulls this year.
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