Having reached three Vodacom URC finals in four seasons under former coach Jake White, the Bulls have backed Johan Ackermann to get them over the line, writes SIMON BORCHARDT.
Ackermann took the Lions to back-to-back Super Rugby finals before heading overseas in 2017, but European club rugby is a different beast, with coaches having to juggle the URC alongside Champions Cup or Challenge Cup commitments.
White always prioritised the URC, but Ackermann has already said he wants to field strong teams in the Champions Cup, so smart player rotation will again be key in a marathon season when Springboks are also required to take breaks.
One of White’s constant gripes was that more Springboks playing abroad needed to be brought back to South Africa – the only way, he felt, the Bulls could match a Leinster side packed with Ireland internationals.
Ironically, before his exit in July, White managed to bring back Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard, centre Jan Serfontein, lock Marvin Orie and utility forward Nico Janse van Rensburg to Pretoria for what will now be Ackermann’s first season in charge.
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Bok winger Kurt-Lee Arendse will also be available when not on Test duty, having completed a sabbatical in Japan that saw him miss most of last season’s URC.
The Bulls will again boast a formidable pack, led by tighthead Wilco Louw at scrum time, and a dangerous backline capable of striking from anywhere.
Ackermann’s biggest strength, according to those who have played under him, is his ability to bring people together and unite them behind a common goal. He must also restore the self-belief of players who were effectively told by their previous coach they weren’t good enough to win the URC, while integrating the big signings and continuing to promote young talent.
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The Bulls start their URC campaign at home against the Ospreys and defending champions Leinster before embarking on a three-match tour of Ireland and Scotland. They’ll get a festive-season break this year, with their round eight home clash against the Stormers moved to March.
KEY PLAYER
Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard returns to the Bulls on a two-year deal, having initially been linked with a move from the Leicester Tigers to Japan. Pollard played 72 matches for the Bulls from 2013 to 2019 before joining French Top 14 club Montpellier, and spent the past three seasons in England. The double World Cup winner brings a physical presence to the Bulls’ No 10 role that the injury-prone Johan Goosen lacks, taking the ball to the line and making excellent decisions. His tactical kicking will ensure the Bulls play in the right areas, while his goal-kicking record – including under immense pressure – speaks for itself.
PLAYERS IN
Paul de Wet (Stormers)
Nico Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier)
Handré Pollard (Leicester)
Jeandré Rudolph (Cheetahs)
Jan Serfontein (Montpellier)
ALSO: Stormers bring Bok prop back from Bulls
PLAYERS OUT
Tielman Nieuwoudt (Cheetahs)
Marvin Orie (Sharks)
Bernard van der Linde (Bath)
FAST FACT
The Bulls had three players in the 2024-25 URC Elite XV: props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw, and No 8 Cameron Hanekom.
URC FIXTURES
27 September: Ospreys (h)
4 October: Leinster (h)
11 October: Ulster (a)
17 October: Connacht (a)
24 October: Glasgow (a)
29 November: Lions (h)
20 December: Sharks (a)
3 January: Stormers (a)
23 January: Edinburgh (a)
31 January: Lions (a)
28 February: Sharks (h)
14 March: Stormers (h)
20 March: Cardiff (h)
28 March: Munster (h)
17 April: Dragons (a)
25 April: Scarlets (a)
9 May: Zebre (h)
16 May: Benetton (h)
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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