Change is the new word at Loftus Versfeld as Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann made another whopping 13 changes to the side that beat Ulster for their last Vodacom United Rugby Championship game before the November break, against Welsh side Scarlets on Saturday.
Ackermann has made major changes to every team this season as he rotates players and tries to give every member of his extended squad fair game time, in a strategy that will hopefully pay off later in the season.
There are eight changes to the starting XV from the side that beat Ulster with captain Marcell Coetzee playing off the bench after being exonerated from a citing for a head high hit by a disciplinary committee on Tuesday night.
There is a straight swap as the front row of Alulutho Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu return to the starting line-up after starting off the bench last week.
Wessels, who has played prop as well, was listed as one of only two hookers in the Springbok side for the November tour.
JF van Heerden joins Ruan Vermaak in the engine room while Cameron Hanekom and Loftus cult hero Jeandre Rudolph return to the loose trio alongside Hanro Liebenberg.
Your Vodacom Bulls team to face Sacrlets. @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA https://t.co/fWSmk56ekw
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) October 29, 2026
Liebenberg will also captain the side in the fixture.
Veteran Bok Willie le Roux returns to the fifteen jersey, with newcomer Dylan Maart, who made his debut for the Bulls off the bench last weekend, getting a start.
Stravino Jacobs is back in his regular left wing spot.
With an injury to Sango Xamlashe, Stedman Gans returns in the 13 jersey, while Curwin Bosch takes the 10 jersey after Handre Pollard’s hamstring injury.
The bench has an imposing nature with the other front row, featuring Springboks Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp on it, alongside Coetzee, Bok lock Cobus Wiese, new Bok call-up Sebastian de Klerk and the ever dangerous Hakeem Kunene.
Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux; Dylan Maart, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; Curwin Bosch, Paul de Wet; Cameron Hanekom, Hanro Liebenberg (captain), Jeandre Rudolph, JF van Heerden, Ruan Vermaak, Khutha Mchunu, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Alulutho Tshakweni.
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Francois Klopper, Cobus Wiese, Marcell Coetzee, Zak Burger, Sebastian de Klerk, Hakeem Kunene.