The arrival of several big names at the Vodacom Bulls side ahead of the new Vodacom United Rugby Championship season and the Investec Champions Cup has given the team a meaner look about it, and a lot to look forward to when the season begins.
The team officially revealed their signings this past week, even though the names have been swirling around in the rugby world for some time now, and a holistic look at their squad going forward gives them a group with a lot of depth, a lot of experience and a lot of hope of going one further than their three URC Finals performances in four years.
The big-name signing was, of course, Springbok double World Cup winner Handre Pollard, while former Bok Jan Serfontein’s arrival gives the midfield some steel and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg adds depth to an already impressive loose forward roster.
CURRIE CUP CAN BOLSTER A FEW
The additions of names like World Cup winner Marvin Orie and Free State veteran Jeandre Rudolph - both only for the upcoming Currie Cup - give the Bulls much more depth. Orie has an option to stay on after the Currie Cup and could be a more long term acquisition, if all goes well in the next few months.
Another player whose contract ends after the Currie Cup is former Scotland international Jaco van der Walt, who will be one of the key players for the Bulls in the domestic trophy.
But a look across the positions in the squad, which totals 55 players, is a healthy one with experience across the board - with another four juniors likely to be called up during the season to start their ascent to the senior squad.
In almost every position in the pack there is a current Springbok, plus some excellent depth and emerging talent that shows a very healthy contracting system.
Think of this the Bulls can pick a Springbok that is in Rassie Erasmus’ plans in their pack. Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw form a potent front row, while Ruan Nortje and Cobus Wiese (who will make his debut this weekend) make up the tight five.
Marco van Staden is a Bok regular and Cameron Hanekom, who has had rotten luck with injuries, is at eight. And that’s not even mentioning the swinger talents of Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Elrigh Louw would round out that pack when he returns from a long term injury as well.
DEPTH IN EVERY POSITION
But around them - in almost every position there is depth. Akker van der Merwe won’t stand back for any player at hooker, nor will Mornay Smith at tighthead.
In the front row the rising talents of Alulutho Tshakweni, Joe van Zyl and Khutha Mchunu are still there, while in the second row former SA under-20 captain JF van Heerden has already established himself and the regulars - Ruan Vermaak and Reinhardt Ludwig are there to support while SA under-20 star Jaco Grobbelaar is likely to be seen a lot more this season.
Ruan Nortje will continue to grow as he leads the team and adds test caps to his resume.
And the arrival of Orie and Dylan de Leeuw means that with Sintu Manjezi there is a whole lot of depth there.
The biggest depth is at loose forward, especially when you look further than Louw, Hanekom and Van Staden. Regular captain Marcell Coetzee is there, as is experienced go-to man Nizaam Carr.
Former SA under-20 star Corne Beets is still at the Bulls and needs to overcome an injury, but add his name to Jannes Kirsten, Celimpilo Gumede and Nama Xaba and there is a lot of depth.
PLENTY TO PROVE
Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg’s arrival adds to that and having been on the fringes of the Bok squad while at Montpellier, he will want to challenge for a place front and centre now.
Paul de Wet’s arrival at halfback is an interesting one, and will set up a good duel for starting places with Embrose Papier and Zak Burger while at flyhalf, the duel for the starting position will only hot up when Handre Pollard gets back from Bok duty.
In the meantime, Johan Goosen will likely continue as No 1 with Boeta Chamberlain and Van der Walt vying for a role in the Currie Cup and staking a claim there. Keagan Johannes’ utility role was a massive part of the Bulls success last season and will be revived once again.
Serfontein and Harold Vorster are likely to be the mainstays at 12, while David Kriel - the swiss army knife for the Bulls with his versatility - is likely to continue at 13 with Stedman Gans his main competitor for a starting role.
SPEED OUT WIDE
In the back three Willie le Roux has another year in the role and will return a test centurion, while Kurt-Lee Arendse is back from his sabattical and Canan Moodie continues to grow. In their absence at the Boks Sebastian de Klerk is likely to feature heavily and should he stay injury-free, Stravino Jacobs as well.
The Bulls have plenty of options there as well with Sergeal Petersen, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Katlego Letebele all able to slot in while Devon Williams provides back up at 15 with Henry Immelmann returning from the Sharks.
All in all, whoever the next Bulls coach is, he will have a decent squad at his disposal, and if used correctly, could see the team taking the next step forward.
Because while three URC finals in four years is a good thing, Bulls fans crave a trophy, and they will hope the new appointment will bring just that, and build on the good work over the past few years.
Bulls squad for Vodacom United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup 2025/6
Asterix denotes new signing
Loosehead props: Gerhard Steenekamp, Alulutho Tshakweni, Dylan Smith
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Akker van der Merwe, Joe van Zyl, Juan Else
Tighthead props: Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Wilco Louw, Khutha Mchunu,
Utility forwards: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Reinhardt Ludwig
Locks: Cobus Wiese, JF van Heerden, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Sintu Manjezi, Marvin Orie* (CC), Dylan de Leeuw*
Loose forwards: Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Jannes Kirsten, Marcell Coetzee, Marco van Staden, Celimpilo Gumede, Nama Xaba, Nizaam Carr, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg*, Jeandre Rudolph* (CC), Corne Beets
Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier, Zak Burger, Paul de Wet*
Flyhalves: Boeta Chamberlain, Jaco van der Walt (CC), Johan Goosen, Handre Pollard*
Midfielders: Chris Barend Smit, Cornel Smit, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Stedman Gans, Jan Serfontein*
Wingers: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Katlego Letebele, Sergeal Petersen, Sebastian de Klerk, Stravino Jacobs
Fullbacks: Devon Williams, Willie le Roux, Henry Immelmann
Utility backs: Keagan Johannes
Under-20 players likely to be used during the season: Steven Nel (9), PA van Niekerk (12), Jaco Grobbelaar (4), Ruan Swart (1)