Can the URC’s perennial near-men overcome the loss of some big names and claim the elusive URC title?
The Vodacom Bulls have appeared in four of the last five United Rugby Championship finals, but a first title remains elusive.
If 2026-27 is to be the season in which they break that duck, they will have to do so without the big Springbok names – namely Ruan Nortjé, Wilco Louw and Kurt-Lee Arendse – who left at the end of the season.
Below The world of rugby presents an overview of the Pretoria team’s chances for the new season. You will also be able to read our verdicts for each URC and Gallagher PREM team in preparation for the big start on Friday, September 25.
Vodacom Bulls Discussion Points
Expectations were tempered after Jake White’s dismissal ahead of last season. Johan Ackermann was rushed into the position of head coach, and the Bulls recorded seven consecutive defeats in all competitions, leading to the sacking of two assistant coaches.
Despite these setbacks, the Bulls made it to the final in Dublin. While some praised the Bulls for bouncing back from a chaotic start, others criticized the team after their 36-7 loss to Leinster – the Bulls’ fourth grand final loss in five seasons.
Diehard fans will demand that the Bulls go one better this term. But the loss of Ruan Nortjé, Wilco Louw and Kurt-Lee Arendse left real gaps. Will they have enough depth for another title challenge?
New signings such as Thaakir Abrahams, Curwin Bosch, Hanro Liebenberg and Dylan Maart are under pressure to deliver. “They bring a different DNA,” says Ackermann, “and we can play a little bit differently.”
A key player
Ambrose Papier was URC’s joint-leading scorer last season with 12. The scrum-half duly earned a recall to the Boks after an eight-year absence – and scored against Scotland in Pretoria in his comeback match.
While his quickness around the rim remains his main asset, Papier’s game management will be firmly in the spotlight.
Scrum-half Ambrose Papier forced his way back onto Rassie Erasmus’ radar last season (Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
One to watch
While the squad is full of Test stars and Junior Boks, the less famous back row will have to watch. Jeandre Rudolph, 32, was one of the Bulls’ most valuable players last season, committing more turnovers (21) than any other player in the URC. How he performs in tandem with other top forwards like Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden and Cameron Hanekom will be one of the keys to the Bulls’ success.
Trainer box
Ackermann wants the Bulls to be more prepared. Enter Rupert Oberholster, the new head of athletic performance in a unit that includes Jean Tiedt (defense), Kennedy Tsimba (backs) and Werner Kruger (forward).
Vodacom Bulls Prediction 2026-27
Long-term fans may be clamoring for silverware, but a top-four finish would be an achievement given the loss of so many senior players.
Vodacom Bulls 2026-27 quotas
7-2
Vital statistics
The Bulls scored 640 points last season – the most in the URC. Their 92 tries were one less than the Leinster champions.
Thaakir Abrahams, formerly of Munster, returns to his native South Africa for the new URC season (Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Signatures of Vodacom Bulls
- Thaakir Abrahams (Munster)
- Curwin Bosch (Brive)
- Luan Giliomee (Sharks)
- Hakeem Kunene (Sharks)
- Mawande Mdanda (Sharks)
- Hanro Liebenberg (Tigers)
- Dylan March (Stormers)
- Sango Xamlashe (Pumas)
Vodacom Bulls ddepartures
- Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars)
- Aphiwe Dyantyi (Narbonne)
- Henry Immelman (Cheetahs)
- Jannes Kirsten (Mont-de-Marsan)
- David Kriel (La Rochelle)
- Wilco Louw (Stormers)
- Siphosethu Mnebelele (Sharks)
- Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears)
- Jan Serfontein (retired)
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