Springbok pair added to Bulls squad for All Blacks clash at Loftus

Springboks Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have joined the Vodacom Bulls squad for Saturday’s match against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld.

The pair were released to gain more playing time ahead of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

They will play from the bench after returning from Argentina and completing one training session with the Bulls.

“It’s great to have them with us, and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” coach Johan Ackermann said.

Curwin Bosch starts at flyhalf

The Bulls have selected Curwin Bosch at flyhalf following his return from a two-year spell in France.

Bosch partners scrumhalf Embrose Papier, one of the Bulls’ leading performers during their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign.

Captain Marcell Coetzee leads the team from flank, while Springbok Willie le Roux starts at fullback.

Hanro Liebenberg returns to South Africa

Hanro Liebenberg starts at flank after returning to South Africa following his time with Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership.

Jeandre Rudolph starts at No 8, completing the loose trio alongside Liebenberg and Coetzee.

The Bulls have selected Ruan Vermaak and JF van Heerden in the second row.

Thaakir Abrahams starts on the wing

Former Sharks and Munster wing Thaakir Abrahams starts on the right wing.

Stravino Jacobs takes the left-wing position, while Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans form the midfield partnership.

Hakeem Kunene included among replacements

Hakeem Kunene was included in the initial match-day squad after impressing since joining the Bulls for the Currie Cup.

The initial replacements list also featured Jaundre Schoeman, Sti Sithole, Khuta Mchunu, Reinhardt Ludwig, Mpilo Gumede, Paul de Wet and Katlego Letebele.

Louw and Grobbelaar were subsequently added to the bench.

The supplied update did not confirm their jersey numbers or identify which players would make way in the revised match-day squad.

All Blacks lead the historic rivalry

The Bulls and All Blacks have met four times since 1949, with New Zealand winning three matches.

The Bulls’ only victory came in August 1976, when Northern Transvaal beat the tourists 29-27.

Saturday’s fixture takes place close to the 50th anniversary of that result.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV

1. Alu Tshakweni
2. Juann Else
3. Francois Klopper
4. Ruan Vermaak
5. JF van Heerden
6. Marcell Coetzee, captain
7. Hanro Liebenberg
8. Jeandre Rudolph
9. Embrose Papier
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Stravino Jacobs
12. Harold Vorster
13. Stedman Gans
14. Thaakir Abrahams
15. Willie le Roux

Initial replacements announced

16. Jaundre Schoeman
17. Sti Sithole
18. Khuta Mchunu
19. Reinhardt Ludwig
20. Mpilo Gumede
21. Paul de Wet
22. Katlego Letebele
23. Hakeem Kunene

Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have since been drafted into the squad. The revised numbered replacements list was not supplied.

Bulls vs All Blacks match details

Fixture: Vodacom Bulls vs All Blacks

Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026

Venue: Loftus Versfeld

South African kick-off: 19:00 SAST

United Kingdom kick-off: 18:00 BST

New Zealand kick-off: 05:00 NZST on Sunday, 16 August 2026

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