Youthful look for Bulls
The Bulls take on the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in Round One.
He also named former Free State flank Pieter Labuschagne as captain for the season opener.
It will be the flank's first match with the Barberton daisy on the chest, although he has played for the hosts 44 times before he moved to Pretoria.
The squad is packed with players who represented the Junior Springboks in recent years, while some seasoned Springboks add the needed degree of experience.
Making their Currie Cup debuts in the backline for the Blue Bulls are Warrick Gelant and Travis Ismaiel, with Hanro Liebenberg, Marvin Orie and Jaco Visagie also running out as Blue Bulls Currie Cup players for the first time on Saturday.
Amongst the replacements, Nqoba Mxoli, Rudolph Snyman, Ivan van Zyl and Dries Swanepoel will all make a first Currie Cup appearance, should they be called upon.
Prop Werner Kruger will play in his 98th match in the competition.
"We have a good blend of youth and experience and I hope we can find the right mix in our playing style to add to that," Marais said.
"I am positive that we can mix it up in our approach, and with a changed mindset we will carry the ball a bit more and use it in a positive way, but you don't change things overnight, so I am comfortable in the knowledge that we have a good back-up plan too."
The coach will be in charge in the Currie Cup for the first time, as will his counterpart, Franco Smith.
"We will both be nervous, no doubt, but it will be a positive nervous as we are keen to get this on the road. I am not too worried about the critics, it is those who support us that I am very keen not to disappoint."
Labuschagne warned of the challenge that the Cheetahs will pose.
"Playing the Blue Bulls is always a massive game for the home side and this time will be no different. We will have to weather the storm and make sure we focus on those things we believe will make us successful. The group believe in each other, but the only way to prove that is out there on the field."
Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Pieter Labuschagne (captain), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Nqoba Mxoli, 18 Rudolph Snyman, 19 Roelof Smit, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Dries Swanepoel.
Date: Saturday, August 8
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14:15 (12:15 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Jaco Pretorius
TMO: Willie Vos
