New Northern Bulls Super 12 coach Phil Pretorius on Friday included ten Springboks in his preliminary squad of 41 for next year's tournament.

The Bulls are starting their preparation for the premier inter-provincial competition on Tuesday, when they gather at Loftus in Pretoria. Pretorius proclaimed himself happy with the talent at his disposal, but emphasised that the squad is a preliminary one and subject to change.

"Depending on circumstances it could be necessary to get players from outside our region to strengthen the squad," he added. The ten Springboks are McNeil Hendricks (pictured), Gavin Passens (wings), Danie van Schalkwyk (centre), Franco Smith (flyhalf), Joost van der Westhuizen (scrumhalf), Schutte Bekker, Anton Leonard, Johan Wasserman (loose forwards), Victor Matfield (lock) and Naka Drotské (hooker).

Springbok flyhalf Boeta Wessels, who has signed for the Blue Bulls for the 2001 season, wasn't considered for the squad. According to Pretorius there is still uncertainty regarding his availability for the Super 12. The coach said it's heartening that there is a lot of speed among the backs, something that was a problem for the Bulls in the 2000 campaign.

The squad is:

BACKS: Fullback: Johan Roets, Dawie du Toit; Right wing: Frikkie Welsh, Giscard Pieters, McNeil Hendricks; Left wing: Gavin Passens, Casper Steyn, Brendell Brandt; Outside centre: Dries Scholtz, Wynand Lourens. Inside centre: Danie van Schalkwyk, Joe Esterhuizen, Adrian Jacobs; Flyhalf: Franco Smith, Lourens Venter. Scrumhalf: Joost van der Westhuizen, Hakkies Husselman, Deon de Kock.

FORWARDS: No 8: Schutte Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Johan Smit, Anton Leonard; Blindside flank: Johan Wasserman, Pierre Uys, Bloues Volschenk; Openside flank: Jaco Booysen, Nicky van der Walt; Lock: Victor Matfield, Braam Els, Ralph Schröder, Werner Lessing, Gerhard Laufs; Tighthead prop: Piet Boer, Johan Human; Hooker: Jannie Brooks, Naka Drotské, Danie van der Walt, Richard Bands; Loosehead prop: Günder Williamson, Frikkie Bosman, Hannes Human.