Bulls name 15 Springboks in squad for URC campaign

The Bulls led the way for the South African sides in the URC last season, ultimately coming up short against a superior Leinster team in the final.

Heading into the new season, the Bulls will be desperate to finally get across the line, and the club has stated that their squad “strikes a potent balance between seasoned international firepower, strategic new recruits, and a crop of high-octane young talent”.

Headlining the group are 15 Springboks, bolstered by several off-season signings designed to add firepower across the park.

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

Former Pumas centre Sango Xamlashe, Griquas flyer Dylan Maart, and promising playmaker Luan Giliomee round out the new arrivals, though Giliomee will feature following a delayed start to the season.

The Bulls’ 2026/27 URC squad (55)

FORWARDS (31)

1. Alulutho Tshakweni, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith

2. Johan Grobbelaar, Akker van der Merwe, Juann Else, Janco Uys

3. Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Khuta Mchunu, Jean Erasmus, Mawande Mdanda

4. Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Jaco Grobbelaar

5. JF van Heerden, Reinhardt Ludwig, Heinrich Theron, Nicolaas Jansen van Rensburg

6. Marco van Staden, Marcell Coetzee, Nama Xaba

7. Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, Hanro Liebenberg

8. Cameron Hanekom, Mpilo Gumede, JJ Theron, Jeandré Rudolph

BACKS (24)

9. Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet, Zak Burger, Neil le Roux, Keagan Johannes

10. Handré Pollard, Curwin Bosch, Luan Giliomee (delayed start)

11. Stravino Jacobs, Sergeal Petersen, Thaakir Abrahams, Riyaad Bam

12. Harold Vorster, Sango Xamlashe

13. Stedman Gans, Katlego Letebele, Demetri Erasmus

14. Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Cheswill Jooste, Dylan Maart

15. Willie le Roux, Devon Williams, Hakeem Kunene

Ready for action

With a gruelling campaign spanning Europe and South Africa ahead, the Bulls stated that this “extended squad underlines the intent to mount a relentless title charge from Round 1”.

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