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Xaba to captain Bulls outfit featuring eight debutants

By @rugby365com
Friday 17 Jul 2026
Nama-Xaba-Bulls-v-WP

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Versatile loose forward Nama Xaba has been named captain of the Bulls, who will get their Currie Cup campaign started on Sunday against Boland in Paarl.

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*Also read: Currie Cup, Round One – Teams and Predictions

The squad enjoyed a productive pre-season under coach Phiwe Nomlomo, who believes he has the manpower capable of mounting a serious title challenge for a title the franchise last won in 2021.

There is a welcome return for experienced prop Dylan Smith, out for almost a year due to injury, who gets back after months of thorough rehabilitation work.

Experienced Keagan Johannes will take the reins at flyhalf, with the exciting pairing of PA van Niekerk and Demitre Erasmus offering a world of promise in the centres.

Hakeem Kunene, the former SA U-20 player signed from the Sharks, will make his debut in the light blue, playing on the wing. Former Sharks and U20 teammate Mawande Mdanda will also make his debut for his new team, packing down at tighthead.

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As an indicator of the team’s investment in youth, eight players will make their Currie Cup debuts: Jaundre Schoeman, Damian Baker, Dian Coetzee, Cephas van Biljon, Chinedu Amadi, Viaan Mentoor, Christiaan Vlok and JJ Motlhodi.

Moreover, the Bulls coaches have selected five club players in the match-day squad, a reflection of the strength and depth of the domestic club rugby system and the healthy player pathway within.

Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Hakeem Kunene, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 PA van Niekerk, 11 Riyaad Bam, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Brooklyn Newman, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Abongile Nonkotwana, 6 Nama Xaba (captain), 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Jaundre Schoeman, 1 Dylan Smith
Replacements: 16 Shaun Schürmann, 17 Damian Baker, 18 Dian Coetzee, 19 Cephas van Biljon, 20 Chinedu Amadi, 21 Viaan Mentoor, 22 Christiaan Viok, 23 JJ Motlhodi

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Date: Sunday, July 19
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 15.05 SAST (13.05 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant referees: Juan de Bod, Zoe Naude
TMO: Quinton Immelman

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