The Vodacom Bulls face off against the reigning champions Union Bordeaux-Bègles today at Loftus Versfeld at 17:15 (SA Time) in the Investec Champions Cup opener in the first round of the 2025/2026 Investec Champions Cup season.
Union Bordeaux Bègles will be looking to kick their title defence off with a victory over the Vodacom Bulls, where the hosts will be keen to reverse a slump in form after a good start to the season.
The visitors will be mindful of the Vodacom Bulls’ pack, though, especially at lineout time, where they stole five lineouts and conceded only one maul penalty, while their goal-kicking success rate of almost 89% was the third best in the competition last year.
The French giants’ success last season was built on breakdown dominance; they led the competition for turnovers won (83) and jackals (42), and the Vodacom Bulls will have to make sure they protect their possession at rucks.
The Vodacom Bulls have named a formidable, Springbok-heavy squad for this clash, with 13 Boks in their match-day 23, signalling a massive show of intent for the competition. Handré Pollard returns at flyhalf, and Marcell Coetzee captains the side from number eight. The team has been significantly overhauled from their recent URC fixture to field their strongest possible side.
Union Bordeaux-Bègles, the defending champions, arrive with their own array of international stars, including French talents like Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and Matthieu Jalibert. The French club expects a tough, physical opening 20 minutes against the Bulls at the daunting Loftus Versfeld, known as the "Bull Ring".
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Marcell Coetzee (c), 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni. Replacements: 16 Johann Grobberlaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Jeandre Rudolf, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (c), 8 Temo Matiu, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Boris Palu, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot. Replacements: 16 Gaetan Barlot, 17 Matis Perchaud, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Tiaan Jacobs, 21 Arthur Retiere, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Salesi Rayasi.