Eight Boks included despite Bulls swinging axe for Welsh visit

The Bulls have made sweeping changes for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld, with Johan Ackermann overhauling his squad despite retaining eight Springboks in the match-day 23.

A total of 13 changes have been made to the selected group following last week’s outing, including eight alterations to the starting XV as the Pretoria side prepare for their final home fixture of 2026.

Despite the extensive rotation, the Bulls still boast considerable international pedigree, with eight capped Springboks included across the starting XV and bench.

There is a welcome boost for the hosts in the form of Marcell Coetzee, who has been cleared to play after overcoming a disciplinary process stemming from a citing earlier this week. The URC committee found that the back-row’s “head contact” at a ruck “was incidental and low force, corroborated by the evidence of both the Player and his opponent and medical team.”

The regular Bulls skipper has not been restored immediately to the starting side, however, with Ackermann naming him to come off the pine.

At the back, veteran Springbok Willie le Roux returns at full-back, while Dylan Maart switches to the right wing and Stravino Jacobs comes into the side on the left. Stedman Gans is handed a start in midfield alongside Harold Vorster.

Curwin Bosch takes over the No.10 jersey and will combine with scrum-half Paul de Wet in a new-look half-back pairing.

The changes continue up front, where Ackermann has selected an entirely new front row. Alu Tshakweni starts at loosehead, Jan-Hendrik Wessels is named at hooker and Khutha Mchunu comes in at tighthead.

JF van Heerden joins Ruan Vermaak in the second row, while Jeandre Rudolph and Cameron Hanekom are both promoted into the back row.

Hanro Liebenberg captains the side from blindside flank.

Bulls: 1. Alu Tshakweni, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Jeandre Rudolph, 7. Hanro Liebenberg (Capt.), 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Paul de Wet, 10. Curwin Bosch, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. Stedman Gans, 14. Dylan Maart, 15. Willie le Roux.

Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Cobus Wiese, 20. Marcell Coetzee, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Sebastian de Klerk, 23. Hakeem Kunen