The Vodacom Bulls have unveiled a formidable 55-man squad for the upcoming 2026/2027 Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign, striking a potent balance between seasoned international firepower, strategic new recruits, and a crop of high-octane young talent.
Headlining the group are 15 Springboks, bringing World Cup-winning experience, elite set-piece bite, and proven big-match temperament to Loftus Versfeld. That international core is bolstered by an impressive haul of off-season signings designed to add firepower across the park.
Key additions include lethal backs Thaakir Abrahams (Munster) and Curwin Bosch (Brive), seasoned loose forward Hanro Liebenberg (Leicester Tigers), alongside exciting speedster Hakeem Kunene and prop Mawande Mdanda, both joining from the Hollywoodbets Sharks. Former Pumas centre Sango Xamlashe, Griquas flyer Dylan Maart, and promising playmaker Luan Giliomee round out the new arrivals, though Giliomee will feature following a delayed start to the season.
With a gruelling campaign spanning Europe and South Africa ahead, the extended squad underlines the Vodacom Bulls’ intent to mount a relentless title charge from Round 1.
They start their campaign next weekend with an away trip to Zebre.
VODACOM BULLS 2026/2027 (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)
- 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
NEW SIGNINGS
Thaakir Abrahams (Munster)
Curwin Bosch (Brive)
Luan Giliomee (Sharks)
Hakeem Kunene (Sharks)
Hanro Liebenberg (Leicester)
Dylan Maart (Griquas)
Mawande Mdanda (Sharks)
Sango Xamlashe (Pumas)
VODACOM BULLS 2026/27
VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
- Round 1: Saturday, 26 September 2026 – Zebre Parma vs Vodacom Bulls (Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – 18:30)
- Round 2: Saturday, 3 October 2026 – Munster vs Vodacom Bulls (Thomond Park, Limerick – 20:45)
- Round 3: Saturday, 10 October 2026 – Vodacom Bulls vs 10Bet Lions (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 13:30)
- Round 4: Saturday, 24 October 2026 – Vodacom Bulls vs Ulster (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 13:45)
- Round 5: Saturday, 31 October 2026 – Vodacom Bulls vs Scarlets (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 16:00)
- Round 6: Saturday, 5 December 2026 – 10Bet Lions vs Vodacom Bulls (Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 13:30)
- Round 7: Saturday, 19 December 2026 – Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Vodacom Bulls (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – 17:30)
- Round 9: Sunday, 3 January 2027 – DHL Stormers vs Vodacom Bulls (DHL Stadium, Cape Town – 15:00)
- Round 10: Saturday, 23 January 2027 – Benetton vs Vodacom Bulls (Stadio Monigo, Treviso – 18:30)
- Round 11: Saturday, 30 January 2027 – Leinster vs Vodacom Bulls (RDS Arena, Dublin – 18:30)
- Round 8: Sunday, 21 February 2027 – Vodacom Bulls vs DHL Stormers (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 14:00)
- Round 12: Saturday, 27 February 2027 – Vodacom Bulls vs Hollywoodbets Sharks (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 16:00)
- Round 13: Saturday, 20 March 2027 – Vodacom Bulls vs Dragons RFC (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 16:00)
- Round 14: Saturday, 27 March 2027 – Vodacom Bulls vs Edinburgh (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 13:00)
- Round 15: Saturday, 17 April 2027 – Ospreys vs Vodacom Bulls (St. Helen’s, Swansea – 18:30)
- Round 16: Friday, 23 April 2027 – Cardiff Rugby vs Vodacom Bulls (Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – 21:05)
- Round 17: Saturday, 8 May 2027 – Vodacom Bulls vs Glasgow Warriors (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 16:00)
- Round 18: Saturday, 15 May 2027 – Vodacom Bulls vs Connacht (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 13:30)
