Bulls fans are optimistic, and rightly so. Their last two wins under coach Johan Ackermann has stopped a seven-game losing streak and has kept the side’s campaign in the Investec Champions’ Cup alive (albeit barely) and given them hope in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
But starting this weekend a string of three crucial derbies will set the tone on the season and answer the telling question of whether the bold fightback on the two- week tour was a once-off or if the Bulls are really back on track.
The first - and probably most important one - is Saturday’s derby at Ellis Park against the Lions.
Mark YOUR calenders 🔥
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) January 28, 2026
🎟️Secure your seat NOW: https://t.co/9eZxO6xGZq @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #TheUnbreakableLine pic.twitter.com/5WSgqhpDP0
The Bulls have never lost there in URC history and have four wins out of four at the iconic ground. But those were all under Jake White as coach and things may look a bit different now.
For one, the Lions shocked the Bulls in November at Loftus Versfeld to win the Pretoria leg of the derby and won in style. It was a result that caused massive reverberations around Pretoria and one which still hits hard today.
So, key to convincing Bulls fans that the team have stopped the rot and are on their way back to the form that took them to three finals in four years is winning in Johannesburg.
Heading to Ellis Park for the second leg of the Jukskei Derby 😏
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) January 26, 2026
🏆Vodacom Bulls vs Lions | ⏰KICK-OFF: 14:30 | 📍Ellis Park | 🗓️31 January
🎟️TICKETS: https://t.co/mVtk5zcOLb @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #JukskeiDerby pic.twitter.com/euvL2dSrCG
ELLIS PARK IS FIRST GOAL
Win and that argument stands. Lose the Jukskei derby and the self-doubt and concern will creep back in. It is an away game, but the Bulls' history and record at Ellis Park make it clear it is a game they should target to win.
But if they pull this one off, their URC fate lies firmly in how they do in their next two fixtures as well, as a loss in either will see them fall behind their compatriots in the URC race and lose ground on the race for the top eight.
At this moment the Bulls won’t be looking that far ahead, but they will know that with the losing streak they have already squandered some capital and while the URC race may be a marathon, they need to get some momentum going, especially at home.
Their next fixture is another derby on February 28 against the Hollywoodbets Sharks and then they have a two-week break before facing the DHL Stormers at home as well in a fixture that was rescheduled from December.
Two rivals. One battlefield ⚔️
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) January 29, 2026
🎟️ https://t.co/xffGIVlOfE
🏆Vodacom Bulls vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
📍 Loftus Versfeld | 28 FEB
🕔 17:00@Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #LoftusLIT pic.twitter.com/nXi2RrEtXM
SHARKS AND STORMERS DERBIES ARE CRUCIAL
While the northern hemisphere will firmly be watching the Six Nations, these three fixtures can make or break the Bulls' campaign and they will need to win either two or all three of them if they want to have any shot of resurrecting their season in entirety.
In short, it doesn’t get easier and the pressure of derbies may make it more difficult, but at least the Bulls will know these games are equalisers in terms of both sides being up for the contest.
All three games will be hard and physical, and the Sharks game is one where they will want to take revenge for losing a close contest in Durban in December.
The Stormers’ derby is always one that the Bulls will want to win and one they lost last season when Jurie Matthee kicked four penalties and a conversion and a Wandisile Simelane try was the difference between the two sides.
It was a close loss, but one that would have hurt the Bulls all the same.
Good news for the Bulls though is that they are likely to be bolstered for the Sharks and Stormers’ games by Springboks Jan Serfontein, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Cameron Hanekom and Gerhard Steenekamp, even though they may be missing this weekend against the Lions.
The concussions for Sebastian de Klerk and Cheswill Jooste will also be a thing of the past and barring any injuries they should have them back as well.
COULD PICK A VERY STRONG SQUAD
How many of their current Boks will be available is still an open question as many will be in the middle of their enforced rest periods, but the Bulls can, in theory at least, pick a side for the last two derbies that should be close to full strength.
And they will need all the support they can get. Victories in the three derbies and their campaign is back on track and they have an overflowing amount of confidence and momentum to take forward.
But defeat and doubts creep in and as we have seen in the past few months, it doesn’t take much to be on the wrong side of close scorelines.
That’s why these next three games are crucial for Johan Ackermann and his Bulls squad. And should make the derbies exceptional to watch.
Back In The Den 🔥
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) January 27, 2026
As a former @LionsRugbyCo, Johan Ackerman will definitely knowhow MASSIVE the #JukskeiDerby is 🦁🐂 @BlueBullsRugby @Vodacom #URC | #EXTRAAYourSummer | #ExtraordinaryLeague pic.twitter.com/MPyGpw7jiW