Bok-heavy Bulls squad ready for European challenge

The Vodacom Bulls have confirmed their 42-man squad for the upcoming Investec Champions Cup campaign, featuring a formidable contingent of 14 Springboks ready to lead the charge in Europe. Coach Johan Ackermann and his staff faced the classic challenge of balancing depth with elite quality across every position, resulting in a well-balanced group (24 forwards and 18 backs).

One of the most fiercely contested areas is flyhalf, where World Cup winner Handre Pollard, Curwin Bosch and prodigy Luan Giliomee all secure their places. New signing Giliomee brings vital utility value as a dual-threat flyhalf and fullback, bolstering match-day 23 flexibility alongside specialist fullbacks Willie le Roux and Hakeem Kunene.

The second-row stocks remain robust despite the departure of Ruan Nortje. Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Jaco Grobbelaar, JF van Heerden, and Reinhardt Ludwig give the Pretoria faithful five world-class second-row options. Meanwhile, the back row overflows with power and experience: Marco van Staden and Marcell Coetzee cover the flanks alongside versatile operators like Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, and captain Hanro Liebenberg, with Cameron Hanekom and Jeandre Rudolph anchoring at eighthman.

The squad features 10 specialist front-rowers to manage the gruelling physical demands of European competition.

The Vodacom Bulls kick off their European campaign this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld against French giants Stade Français.

VODACOM BULLS 2026/2027 INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP SQUAD

FORWARDS (24)

• Props: Alu Tshakweni, Gerhard Steenekamp, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Khuta Mchunu, Jean Erasmus, Hencus van Wyk

• Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Akker van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels

• Locks: Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Jaco Grobbelaar, JF van Heerden, Reinhardt Ludwig

• Loose Forwards: Marco van Staden, Marcell Coetzee, Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, Hanro Liebenberg, Cameron Hanekom, Jeandre Rudolph

BACKS (18)

• Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet, Keagan Johannes

• Flyhalves: Handre Pollard, Curwin Bosch, Luan Giliomee

• Centres: Harold Vorster, Sango Xamlashe, Pieter van der Merwe, Stedman Gans, Demetri Erasmus

• Wings: Stravino Jacobs, Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Cheswill Jooste, Dylan Maart, Willie le Roux, Hakeem Kunene