Having reached a final and quarterfinal in the first two seasons of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, there is a palpable sense that the Vodacom Bulls are hungry to make the lessons they’ve learnt and the experience they’ve developed count in this upcoming season.
The Vodacom Bulls open their season against Munster on Sunday at 15:00 in Pretoria, whereafter they travel to Europe for four weeks to face Ulster, Zebre Parma, Cardiff and Edinburgh before returning home.
The Vodacom Bulls have been very busy, with Willie Le Roux, Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw notable signings, while former Springbok assistant Gary Gold is among the additions on the coaching front. The Vodacom Bulls are the only South African Franchise that has not lost any influential players.
Player movement
Players in: Willie Le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh), Devon Williams (Pumas), Henry Immelman (Edinburgh), Sebastian de Klerk (Pumas), Sergeal Petersen (Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks), Akker van der Merwe (Sale), Jannes Kirsten (Exeter), Devon Williams (Pumas), Khutha Mchunu (Sharks), Deon Slabbert (Pumas), Mpilo Gumede (Sharks).
Players out: Lizo Gqoboka (Stormers), Sbu Nkosi (released), Morné Steyn (retired), Bismarck du Plessis (retired).