By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Vodacom Bulls boss Johan Ackermann named a strong 55-player squad for the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign.
Fifteen Springboks headline a squad that has been bolstered by several off-season signings.
Key additions include lethal 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.
Ackermann said he will have to lean on new recruits and emerging players after Kurt-Lee Arendse, Ruan Nortjé, Wilco Louw and David Kriel were among those who departed last season.
Bulls start their campaign next weekend with an away trip to Zebre.
Bulls URC squad
Thaakir Abrahams, Riyaad Bam, Curwin Bosch, Zak Burger, Nizaam Carr, Marcell Coetzee, Paul de Wet, Jean Erasmus, Demetri Erasmus, Juann Else, Stedman Gans, Luan Giliomee, Jaco Grobbelaar, Johan Grobbelaar, Mpilo Gumede, Cameron Hanekom, JF van Heerden, Stravino Jacobs, Nicolaas Jansen van Rensburg, Keagan Johannes, Cheswill Jooste, Francois Klopper, Hakeem Kunene, Neil le Roux, Willie le Roux, Katlego Letebele, Hanro Liebenberg, Elrigh Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Dylan Maart, Mawande Mdanda, Khuta Mchunu, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier, Sergeal Petersen, Handré Pollard, Jeandré Rudolph, Dylan Smith, Mornay Smith, Sti Sithole, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Heinrich Theron, JJ Theron, Alulutho Tshakweni, Janco Uys, JF van Heerden, Akker van der Merwe, Ruan Vermaak, Harold Vorster, Cobus Wiese, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Devon Williams, Sango Xamlashe, Nama Xaba.