The Vodacom Bulls launch their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi this Saturday, but head coach Johan Ackermann is making sure no one in his travelling party is packing a holiday mindset.
Opening away against Zebre might look like a gentle runway on paper, but Ackermann knows week-one banana peels are real, especially against a host side playing in front of a partisan home crowd with everything to prove.
With a brutal itinerary following closely behind, including a trip to Munster at Thomond Park and a derby against the Lions, the stakes in Parma are clear: hit the ground running or risk playing catch-up early.
Memories of last season’s sluggish start still linger, and Ackermann wants immediate momentum from the opening whistle to keep the Vodacom Bulls firmly in the top-four conversation without needing mid-season rescue acts.
Stripped-back preparation and international call-ups have limited execution time, turning this initial away test into a direct measurement of the squad’s mental sharpness and tactical discipline under pressure.
To navigate the opener, Ackermann has named a 26-man touring group featuring a potent blend of experience, high-profile off-season arrivals, and emerging local talent.
Springbok fullback Willie le Roux headlines the back three alongside electric new signing Thaakir Abrahams and utility backs Cheswill Jooste, Sebastian De Klerk, and Hakeem Kunene. At flyhalf, Curwin Bosch steps into the set-up to steer the attack alongside young prospect Viaan Mentoor, while scrumhalves Paul de Wet, Zak Burger, and Keagan Johannes provide options at service.
In the midfield, power-wing Stravino Jacobs remains an intriguing central option following his pre-season trial at inside centre, working alongside established line-breakers Harold Vorster, Stedman Gans, and Demetri Erasmus.
Up front, international flanker Hanro Liebenberg joins a formidable back-row contingent that includes Marcell Coetzee, Nizaam Carr, JJ Theron, and Jeandre Rudolph. Tight-five muscle is provided by locks Ruan Vermaak, Jaco Grobbelaar, Reinhardt Ludwig, and JF van Heerden, while props Alu Tshakweni, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, and Khuta Mchunu pack down alongside hookers Juann Else, Jon Hobson, and Janco Uys.
With 15 Springboks already on the books and an influx of proven match-winners, depth is a primary weapon. Internal competition for jerseys is fierce, and Ackermann’s strategic rotation policy ensures no player can afford a passive performance.
TOURING SQUAD
1: Alu Tshakweni, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith; 2: Juann Else, Jon Hobson, Janco Uys; 3: Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Khuta Mchunu; 4: Ruan Vermaak, Jaco Grobbelaar; 5: Reinhardt Ludwig, JF van Heerden; 6: Marcell Coetzee (capt); 7: Hanro Liebenberg, JJ Theron; 8: Jeandre Rudolph, Nizaam Carr; 9: Paul de Wet, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes; 10: Viaan Mentoor, Curwin Bosch; 11: Sebastian De Klerk, Thaakir Abrahams; 12: Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; 13: Stedman Gans, Demetri Erasmus; 14: Cheswill Jooste; 15: Willie le Roux, Hakeem Kunene.