Vodacom Bulls vs Scarlets

ACKERS WARY OF RISING SCARLETS

The Vodacom Bulls wrap up their final home fixture of the United Rugby Championship for 2026 this Saturday, welcoming a buoyant Scarlets side to Loftus Versfeld.

Currently sitting third on the Vodacom URC standings, Johan Ackermann’s charges are desperate to cap off a demanding month with a decisive victory before the league pauses for the November international window.

However, the Pretoria outfit has had to navigate significant selection headaches in the lead-up to the clash. Injury disruptions have forced reshuffles across the backline, chief among them losing Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard to a hamstring strain, alongside backline duo Cheswill Jooste and Sango Xamlashe.

The disruption makes way for Curwin Bosch to start at 10, with Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans forming a fresh midfield pairing, while Stravino Jacobs takes his place on the wing.

There is, however, bright news on the national front for utility back Sebastian de Klerk, who earned an exciting call-up to Rassie Erasmus’s Springbok squad for the upcoming Home Nations Championship tour. De Klerk will offer potent cover off the bench, alongside influential skipper Marcell Coetzee, who has been cleared to play after his citing panel appearance yielded no further action.

Ackermann remains under no illusions about the task at hand. The Scarlets head into Loftus with serious wind in their sails following a rousing performance in Cape Town, where they nearly overturned the form book against the Stormers. Ackermann has warned his side against complacency, praising the Welsh outfit’s sheer intensity and willingness to move the ball with speed into space.

Supporters will also welcome a welcome reprieve from the heat. Kick-off has been moved to 5pm, a departure from the recent 2pm afternoon slots, promising slightly cooler conditions under the Pretoria lights as the Vodacom Bulls look to lock down vital log points.