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Giliomee set for Bulls debut as Ackermann name 14 Boks in Champions Cup squad

By Angus Opperman
Monday 12 Oct 2026
an Giliomee of Junior Springboks scores a try during the U20 International Series match between South Africa and Fiji at Wynberg Boys' High School on May 26, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have confirmed their 42-man squad for the upcoming Investec Champions Cup campaign, which includes 14 Springboks and new recruit Luan Giliomee.

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Head coach Johan Ackermann named 24 forwards and 18 backs ahead of their Round One EPCR Champions Cup clash against Stade Francais at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

*Also read: Hits & Misses: Rampaging Hanekom and Krappie’s costly brainfart

The squad includes World Cup winner Handre Pollard, Curwin Bosch, and Luan Giliomee as the primary playmakers alongside fullbacks Willie le Roux and Hakeem Kunene.

The second row consists of Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Jaco Grobbelaar, JF van Heerden, and Reinhardt Ludwig, who are getting the nod.

In the loose trio, Marco van Staden and Marcell Coetzee cover the flanks alongside Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, and captain Hanro Liebenberg, with Cameron Hanekom and Jeandre Rudolph named as the No.8s.

Bulls 2026/2027 Champions Cup squad:

Forwards: Alu Tshakweni, Gerhard Steenekamp, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Khuta Mchunu, Jean Erasmus, Hencus van Wyk, Johan Grobbelaar, Akker van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Jaco Grobbelaar, JF van Heerden, Reinhardt Ludwig, Marco van Staden, Marcell Coetzee, Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, Hanro Liebenberg, Cameron Hanekom, Jeandre Rudolph.

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Backs: Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet, Keagan Johannes, Handre Pollard, Curwin Bosch, Luan Giliomee, Harold Vorster, Sango Xamlashe, Pieter van der Merwe, Stedman Gans, Demetri Erasmu, Stravino Jacobs, Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Cheswill Jooste, Dylan Maart, Willie le Roux, Hakeem Kunene

1 YEAR TO GO - RWC27

1 YEAR TO GO 

The countdown is on until the biggest Men’s Rugby World Cup ever kicks off in Australia. Go All Out and secure your seats with tickets now available! 

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