Willie le Roux back for another season with the Bulls

The Bulls have unveiled their 55-man squad for the upcoming 2026/27 United Rugby Championship campaign, striking a balance between seasoned international players, new recruits, and a crop of young talent.

Headlining the group are 15 Springboks – including now 37-year-old, 101-Test capped Willie le Roux – adding World Cup-winning experience and proven big-match temperament to Loftus Versfeld.

Off-season signings

That international core is bolstered by a haul of off-season signings designed to add firepower across the park.

Key additions include backs Thaakir Abrahams (Munster) and Curwin Bosch (Brive), loose forward Hanro Liebenberg (Leicester Tigers), alongside speedster Hakeem Kunene and prop Mawande Mdanda, both joining from the Hollywoodbets Sharks.

Former Pumas centre Sango Xamlashe, Griquas flyer Dylan Maart, and promising playmaker Luan Giliomee round out the new arrivals.

With a gruelling campaign spanning Europe and South Africa ahead, the extended squad underlines the Bulls’ intent to mount a title charge from Round 1.

The Bulls start their campaign next weekend with an away trip to Zebre.

BULLS SQUAD

FORWARDS (31)

Props: Alulutho Tshakweni, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Khuta Mchunu, Jean Erasmus, Mawande Mdanda

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Akker van der Merwe, Juann Else, Janco Uys

Locks: Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Jaco Grobbelaar, JF van Heerden, Reinhardt Ludwig, Heinrich Theron, Nicolaas Jansen van Rensburg

Loose forwards: Marco van Staden, Marcell Coetzee, Nama Xaba, Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, Hanro Liebenberg, Cameron Hanekom, Mpilo Gumede, JJ Theron, Jeandré Rudolph

BACKS (24)

Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet, Zak Burger, Neil le Roux, Keagan Johannes

Flyhalves: Handré Pollard, Curwin Bosch, Luan Giliomee

Centres: Harold Vorster, Sango Xamlashe, Stedman Gans, Katlego Letebele, Demetri Erasmus

Wings: Stravino Jacobs, Sergeal Petersen, Thaakir Abrahams, Riyaad Bam, Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Cheswill Jooste, Dylan Maart

Fullbacks: Willie le Roux, Devon Williams, Hakeem Kunene

BULLS UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

• Round 1: Saturday, 26 September 2026 – Zebre Parma vs Bulls, Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – 18:30
• Round 2: Saturday, 3 October 2026 – Munster vs Bulls, Thomond Park, Limerick – 20:45
• Round 3: Saturday, 10 October 2026 – Bulls vs Lions, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 13:30
• Round 4: Saturday, 24 October 2026 – Bulls vs Ulster, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 13:45
• Round 5: Saturday, 31 October 2026 – Bulls vs Scarlets, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 16:00
• Round 6: Saturday, 5 December 2026 – Lions vs Bulls, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 13:30
• Round 7: Saturday, 19 December 2026 – Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Bulls, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – 17:30
• Round 9: Sunday, 3 January 2027 – Stormers vs Bulls, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – 15:00
• Round 10: Saturday, 23 January 2027 – Benetton vs Bulls, Stadio Monigo, Treviso – 18:30
• Round 11: Saturday, 30 January 2027 – Leinster vs Bulls, (RDS Arena, Dublin – 18:30
• Round 8: Sunday, 21 February 2027 – Bulls vs Stormers, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 14:00
• Round 12: Saturday, 27 February 2027 – Bulls vs Hollywoodbets Sharks, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 16:00
• Round 13: Saturday, 20 March 2027 – Bulls vs Dragons RFC, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 16:00
• Round 14: Saturday, 27 March 2027 – Bulls vs Edinburgh, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 13:00
• Round 15: Saturday, 17 April 2027 – Ospreys vs Bulls, St. Helen’s, Swansea – 18:30
• Round 16: Friday, 23 April 2027 – Cardiff Rugby vs Bulls, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – 21:05
• Round 17: Saturday, 8 May 2027 – Bulls vs Glasgow Warriors, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 16:00
• Round 18: Saturday, 15 May 2027 – Bulls vs Connacht, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 13:30