Elrigh Louw has been named captain and teenage prospect Luan Giliomee handed his first start at fullback.

Giliomee’s inclusion is one of the major talking points in the team announcement. The talented youngster gets an opportunity to test himself at senior level, with experienced Springbok Willie le Roux moving to the bench, where he will provide valuable cover and guidance.

Elrigh Louw will captain the Bulls against Stade Francais - Bulls

Pollard’s return at flyhalf is another notable change as he replaces Curwin Bosch. The Springbok playmaker’s experience, tactical awareness and ability to control a game could prove crucial against the French outfit. Paul de Wet retains the scrumhalf jersey.

There is also a completely new combination in the front row, with Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu earning starting berths in place of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Francois Klopper.

Cobus Wiese moves into the second row to partner JF van Heerden, while Ruan Vermaak falls out of the match-day squad.

The loose-forward department has also been reshuffled. Louw and Marco van Staden move into the starting line-up, with Louw taking over the captaincy. Cameron Hanekom retains his place at No 8, while Hanro Liebenberg misses out on selection and Jeandre Rudolph drops to the bench.

Further changes have been made behind the scrum, with Cheswill Jooste coming in on the left wing and Sango Xamlashe selected at outside centre. Harold Vorster and Sebastian de Klerk retain their positions at inside centre and right wing respectively.

Among the replacements, Embrose Papier comes in for Keagan Johannes, while Stravino Jacobs joins Le Roux as backline cover. Grobbelaar, Steenekamp and Klopper are included among the forward replacements.

The selection offers an interesting mix of established international experience and youthful promise. Pollard’s return adds composure and direction, while Louw takes on the leadership responsibility and Giliomee gets a chance to announce himself on a bigger stage.

The challenge for the Bulls will be to get their new combinations firing from the outset. The effectiveness of the reshaped forward pack, Pollard’s influence at flyhalf and Giliomee’s ability to handle the pressure at fullback will all be worth watching when they take on Stade Français.

Saturday's game at Loftus Versfeld will kick-off at 14:00.

Bulls - 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Cheswill Jooste, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alu Tshakweni

Replacements - 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Jeandré Rudolph, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Stravino Jacobs, 23 Willie le Roux

Morgan Piek OFM  Sport