Hold onto your seats, rugby fans, because the Bulls are shaking things up in a big way! Johan Ackermann’s bold decisions for Round Three of the United Rugby Championship are turning heads, and at the heart of it all is the return of a fan favorite: Handre Pollard, back in blue after a notable stint in the UK. But here’s where it gets intriguing—Ackermann isn’t stopping there. He’s made a whopping 11 changes to the squad, seven in the starting lineup and four on the bench, as they gear up to face Ulster on Saturday. Is this a masterstroke or a risky gamble? Let’s dive in.
Pollard’s return to Pretoria is more than just a roster update—it’s a homecoming for a player who’s achieved hero status after playing over 70 matches for the Bulls. His inclusion at flyhalf, replacing Keagan Johannes, is a statement move by Ackermann, signaling a shift in strategy. But Pollard isn’t the only big name making waves. The team is also dealing with forced changes due to injuries, notably to Marcell Coetzee and JF van Heerden, which has reshuffled the pack.
Among the starting lineup changes, Wilco Louw steps in for Mornay Smith at tighthead prop, Cobus Wiese replaces the injured JF van Heerden in the second row, and Marco van Staden takes over from Marcell Coetzee at blindside flanker. In the backline, Zak Burger gets the nod at scrumhalf ahead of Embrose Papier, and Canan Moodie slots in at outside center, replacing David Kriel. But here’s the part most people miss: these changes aren’t just about filling gaps—they’re about injecting fresh energy and tactical flexibility into the squad.
The bench has seen its own shakeup, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Reinhardt Ludwig, Paul de Wet, and David Kriel all earning spots. Notably, Paul de Wet’s inclusion comes after Zak Burger’s promotion to the starting XV, adding depth to the scrumhalf position. And this is where it gets controversial: with so many changes, will the Bulls maintain the cohesion that helped them defeat champions Leinster last week, or will Ulster exploit the new dynamics?**
The match, set for Affidea Stadium in Belfast on Saturday, October 11, promises to be a thriller. Kick-off is at 19.45 local time (20.45 SA Time; 18.45 GMT), with Mike Adamson of Scotland officiating. Here’s the burning question: Can the Bulls’ revamped squad rise to the occasion, or will Ulster capitalize on the changes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
Bulls Lineup: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johann Grobbelaar (captain), 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 David Kriel, 23 Willie le Roux.
