The North-South derby at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 17h05 on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The 19-year-old Ludwig, who has been a key figure in the Vodacom Bulls’ Under-20 side over the past year, is an exciting addition to a strong side that will look to begin their 2022 campaign in the cross-hemisphere competition. There will be no shortage of experience alongside him, with Arno Botha starting at openside flanker while Elrigh Louw will start at No 8.

Tighthead prop, Mornay Smith, will make a return to the starting team, where he will buckle down alongside loosehead prop, Gerhard Steenekamp, and hooker, Johan Grobbelaar, to make up the front row.

David Kriel makes a return to the familiar fullback position, combining with wings, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Madosh Tambwe, to make up the back three.

Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White said: “The rivalry between the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers always sets us up for an exhilarating encounter. This weekend will be no different, and to begin the year in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship against a quality side like the DHL Stormers will be important in determining where we are as a team after the end-year break."

Vodacom Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Cornal Hendricks (captain), 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Arno Botha, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Harold Vorster.