Pollard headlines Bulls' Champions Cup squad
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have unveiled a powerful 39-man squad for this year’s European Champions Cup – a group loaded with experience and firepower.
The Pretoria-based franchise kick off their campaign next weekend when they host French Top 14 outfit Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus Versfeld.
There are 18 Springboks in the 39-man squad, including Handré Pollard.
The 31-year-old flyhalf rejoined the Bulls in July after successful spells with Montpellier in France and English powerhouse Leicester Tigers. He was also part of the Springboks squad during the recent Nations Series.
Pollard is joined by fellow Test stars Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux, giving the Bulls backline a world-class pedigree.
Up front, the squad features heavy-hitters such as Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw. Lock Ruan Nortje has also been named, along with Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom, both currently sidelined through injury but expected to play key roles later in the competition.
With depth across all departments and a strong Springbok core, the Bulls look determined to finally establish themselves as genuine contenders for the European title.
Bulls squad:
FORWARDS: Alu Tshakweni, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan Hendrik Wessels, Sti Sithole; Johan Grobbelaar, Akker van der Merwe, Juann Else; Wilco Louw, Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Khuta Mchunu; Jaco Grobbelaar, Cobus Wiese; Ruan Nortje, Reinhardt Ludwig, JF van Heerden; Marco van Staden, Marcell Coetzee, Nama Xaba; Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw; Cameron Hanekom, Mpilo Gumede, JJ Theron, Jeandré Rudolph.
BACKS: Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet, Zak Burger; Handré Pollard, Keagan Johannes, Kade Wolhuter; Stravino Jacobs, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Harold Vorster, Jan Serfontein; David Kriel, Stedman Gans; Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Cheswill Jooste; Willie le Roux, Devon Williams.
