13 October 2026
Head coach Johan Ackermann has locked and loaded a powerful 42-man Vodacom Bulls squad for the upcoming Investec Champions Cup campaign. The squad named includes 14 Springboks.
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 Bulls kick off their continental quest at fortress Loftus Versfeld this Saturday against French heavyweights Stade Français. Selection policy keeps this registered roster locked until March.
Coach Ackermann has opted for a physical 24-forwards-and-18-backs split to absorb the brutal set-piece demands. The selection strategy explicitly prioritises brute force and depth in the trenches.
Vodacom Bulls Champions Cup squad:
Forwards: Nizaam Carr, Marcell Coetzee, Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Francois Klopper, Hanro Liebenberg, Elrigh Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Khuta Mchunu, Jeandré Rudolph, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith, Mornay Smith, Gerhard Steenekamp, Alu Tshakweni, JF van Heerden, Akker van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Ruan Vermaak, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Hencus van Wyk.
Backs: Curwin Bosch, Sebastian de Klerk, Paul de Wet, Demetri Erasmus, Stedman Gans, Luan Giliomee, Stravino Jacobs, Keagan Johannes, Cheswill Jooste, Hakeem Kunene, Willie le Roux, Dylan Maart, Pieter van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard, Harold Vorster, Sango Xamlashe.