The Vodacom Bulls XV travel to Kimberley on Saturday knowing a big response is required when they face defending Carling Currie Cup champions Griquas.
After a disappointing opening-round defeat to Boland, the Pretoria outfit will be eager to bounce back and lay down a marker against one of the competition’s most consistent sides. Captain Nama Xaba leads a squad that combines experienced campaigners, exciting young talent and a strong club rugby representation.
Several significant milestones headline the matchday 23. Scrumhalf Neil Le Roux and loose forward Thomas Beling are both in line to make their Currie Cup debuts, with Beling returning to domestic action after helping the Junior Springboks lift the World Rugby U20 Championship title last week.
The selection also underlines the strength of the region’s club rugby pathway, with JJ Motlhodi, Abongile Nonkontwana, Damian Baker and Dian Coetzee all earning places in the squad.
Coetzee and Cephas van Biljon will each enjoy another special occasion when they make their first Currie Cup starts. The pair have worked their way through the ranks and now have an opportunity to make an impact from the opening whistle against the defending champions.
Up front, Dylan Smith, Shaun Schürmann and Coetzee form the front row, while Sintu Manjezi and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg provide experience in the second row. Xaba captains the side from the flank alongside van Biljon and JJ Theron in a hardworking loose trio.
Brooklyn Newman and Keagan Johannes combine at halfback, with PA van Niekerk and Demitre Erasmus pairing up in midfield. Out wide, Riyaad Bam and Hakeem Kunene provide attacking spark, while Devon Williams starts at fullback.
The bench offers plenty of energy and impact, including the debuting Le Roux and Beling, as the Vodacom Bulls XV look to secure their first win of the 2026 campaign.
Vodacom Bulls XV
Starting XV:
1 Dylan Smith, 2 Shaun Schürmann, 3 Dian Coetzee, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 6 Nama Xaba (c), 7 Cephas van Biljon, 8 JJ Theron, 9 Brooklyn Newman, 10 Keagan Johannes, 11 Riyaad Bam, 12 PA van Niekerk, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 14 Hakeem Kunene, 15 Devon Williams.
Replacements:
16 Jaundre Schoeman, 17 Damian Baker, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Abongile Nonkontwana, 20 Thomas Beling, 21 Neil Le Roux, 22 Viaan Mentoor, 23 JJ Motlhodi.
