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Bulls unveil 55-man squad packed with Boks, exciting new faces

By Annemie Bester
Thursday 17 Sep 2026
Bulls training at Loftus Versfeld

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have unveiled a formidable 55-man squad for the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season, combining a powerful Springbok core with a host of exciting new signings and emerging young talent.

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The squad includes 15 Springboks, providing world-class experience and proven match-winning quality. At the same time, several off-season recruits add depth across the pack and backline ahead of a demanding campaign in South Africa and Europe.

Among the headline additions are explosive backs Thaakir Abrahams and Curwin Bosch, experienced loose forward Hanro Liebenberg, exciting speedster Hakeem Kunene and prop Mawande Mdanda.

Former Pumas centre Sango Xamlashe, Griquas winger Dylan Maart and promising flyhalf Luan Giliomee also join the Pretoria outfit, although Giliomee will only be available later in the season after recovering from an injury sustained earlier this year.

The extended squad highlights the Bulls’ ambitions of mounting another serious title challenge when the URC season gets underway.

The Bulls open their campaign next weekend with an away clash against Zebre in Parma.

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Bulls 2026/27 URC squad (55)

Forwards (31)

Alulutho Tshakweni, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith
Johan Grobbelaar, Akker van der Merwe, Juann Else, Janco Uys
Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Khuta Mchunu, Jean Erasmus, Mawande Mdanda
Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Jaco Grobbelaar
JF van Heerden, Reinhardt Ludwig, Heinrich Theron, Nicolaas Jansen van Rensburg
Marco van Staden, Marcell Coetzee, Nama Xaba
Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, Hanro Liebenberg
Cameron Hanekom, Mpilo Gumede, JJ Theron, Jeandré Rudolph

Backs (24)

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Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet, Zak Burger, Neil le Roux, Keagan Johannes
Handré Pollard, Curwin Bosch, Luan Giliomee (delayed start)
Stravino Jacobs, Sergeal Petersen, Thaakir Abrahams, Riyaad Bam
Harold Vorster, Sango Xamlashe
Stedman Gans, Katlego Letebele, Demetri Erasmus
Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Cheswill Jooste, Dylan Maart
Willie le Roux, Devon Williams, Hakeem Kunene

 

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