Johan Ackermann has wielded the axe, making 13 changes to the Bulls’ match-day 23 for Saturday’s final home United Rugby Championship fixture of 2026 against Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld. Eight alterations to the starting XV signal the Pretoria coach’s intent to rotate his squad intelligently whilst maintaining the firepower needed to close out the year with a statement victory.
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The reshuffle comes with one significant subplot, regular captain Marcell Coetzee has been cleared following a disciplinary hearing after his citing this week and will feature from the bench. His availability provides crucial insurance in the loose forwards whilst allowing Ackermann to blood other combinations from the opening whistle.
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Hanro Liebenberg inherits the captaincy for the afternoon, leading a side that boasts eight Springboks across the 23-man squad. The experience runs deep, even with wholesale changes across the park.
Backline rejig
In the backline, Springbok fullback Willie le Roux returns to marshal proceedings from the back, with Dylan Maart shifting to the right wing and the electric Stravino Jacobs occupying the left flank. The reshuffle suggests Ackermann wants pace and counter-attacking threat from deep whilst giving Maart an opportunity to showcase his finishing abilities out wide.
Stedman Gans enters the midfield alongside Harold Vorster, offering a fresh combination that will fancy their chances against a Scarlets defence that’s leaked points throughout the campaign. At flyhalf, Curwin Bosch steps into the starting role to partner scrumhalf Paul de Wet, a pairing that should deliver slick service and tactical variety.
Entirely new front row
Up front is where Ackermann’s changes are most dramatic. An entirely new front row of Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu takes the field, signalling the coach’s desire to keep his scrum stocks fresh and competitive across a brutal season. All three have featured regularly off the bench this campaign and will relish the opportunity to start at fortress Loftus.
JF van Heerden joins Ruan Vermaak in the second row, providing genuine lineout presence and ball-carrying grunt. The back row sees Jeandre Rudolph and the exciting Cameron Hanekom flank Liebenberg, who shifts from blindside to No.7 for this outing.
Hanekom’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy, the young loose forward has been one of the Bulls’ standout performers this season and continues to press his claims for higher honours.
Bench firepower
The replacements bench features serious firepower, with Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp and Francois Klopper providing front-row cover. Cobus Wiese and the reinstated Coetzee offer lock and loose forward options, whilst Zak Burger, Sebastian de Klerk and Hakeem Kunene provide backline reinforcements.
That bench has enough Test-match experience and raw talent to swing any game, precisely the sort of depth required to sustain a URC title challenge.
Final home fixture of 2026
Saturday’s clash represents the Bulls’ final home URC fixture of the calendar year before they embark on European assignments in the new year. Ackermann will be desperate to send the Loftus faithful into the festive break with a dominant performance that underlines the Bulls’ credentials as genuine contenders.
Scarlets arrive as cannon fodder on paper, the Welsh outfit have struggled throughout the campaign and will face a Bulls side eager to rack up a cricket score. But Ackermann won’t allow complacency to creep in, hence the selection of eight Springboks who understand what professional standards demand.
The Bulls need momentum heading into 2027’s crucial fixtures. Saturday is about laying down a marker, building combinations and ensuring no bad habits develop. Thirteen changes or not, anything less than a comprehensive victory will be deemed unacceptable.
Loftus awaits. The Scarlets better brace themselves.
Bulls team to face Scarlets:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Sebastian de Klerk, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
