The Vodacom Bulls squad travelling to Dublin for next Friday’s VURC final reflects a carefully balanced blend of experience, youth, and versatility, positioning the team strongly for the demands of a high-pressure occasion.
At its core is a heavy Springbok influence, 17 in all, with seasoned internationals such as Willie le Roux, Handré Pollard, Marcell Coetzee, and Kurt-Lee Arendse bringing invaluable big-match experience and leadership. This is complemented by an exciting group of emerging talents, including Cameron Hanekom and Cheswill Jooste, whose energy and attacking threat add a dynamic edge.
Up front, the composition of the forwards offers both physicality and mobility. Players like Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden contribute relentless work rate and breakdown presence, while the likes of Ruan Nortje and Cobus Wiese provide the size and power needed to anchor the set-piece. The front row, in particular, stands out for its depth and experience, ensuring scrummaging stability and the ability to maintain intensity throughout the match.
In the backline, the squad combines control and creativity. Pollard’s game management and tactical kicking are complemented by Le Roux’s vision and playmaking ability, while strike runners such as Arendse, Moodie, and Jooste offer genuine pace and finishing quality. The inclusion of players capable of covering multiple positions, such as Moodie, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and Nizaam Carr, adds valuable flexibility both in selection and during the game itself.
Overall, the squad is well-rounded, with a strong leadership spine running through it and a bench capable of making a meaningful impact. It is a group built not only on individual quality but on cohesion and adaptability, qualities that will be crucial in a final.
The team departs for Ireland on Monday evening.
Vodacom Bulls Squad: Alulutho Tshakweni, Akker van der Merwe, Cameron Hanekom, Cheswill Jooste, Canan Moodie, Cobus Wiese, Devon Williams, Elrigh Louw, Embrose Papier, Francois Klopper, Gerhard Steenekamp, Handre Pollard, Harold Vorster, Johan Grobbelaar, Jeandre Rudolph, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Keagan Johannes, Katlego Letebele, Marcell Coetzee, Mpilo Gumede, Mornay Smith, Marco van Staden, Nizaam Carr, Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Stedman Gans, Stravino Jacobs, Willie le Roux, Wilco Louw, Zak Burger.