Having lost four URC finals in five seasons, the Bulls will be desperate to finally lift the trophy next year, writes SIMON BORCHARDT.
Their 36-7 defeat to Leinster in the 2026 final in Dublin was particularly disappointing given they were at full strength, on an eight-match winning streak in the competition and had supposedly learned from defeat at Croke Park the year before. Yet they again started poorly, allowing Leinster to race into a commanding lead, while their big-name Springboks failed to deliver.
However, it is worth remembering that, at one stage of the 2025-26 campaign, the Bulls were on a seven-match losing streak across competitions and sat 11th on the URC log. Had coach Johan Ackermann been offered a fourth-place finish and a place in the final at that point, he would have snapped it up.
The Bulls bid farewell to three key Springboks in June – tighthead prop Wilco Louw, lock Ruan Nortjé and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse – as well as utility back David Kriel, who attended a Bok alignment camp but never wore the green and gold. However, they lured experienced loose forward Hanro Liebenberg (who can also play lock) back to Pretoria from the Leicester Tigers, while signing wings Thaakir Abrahams from Munster and Dylan Maart, who impressed for the Stormers while on loan from Griquas last season.
With Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard set to miss large parts of the URC campaign because of Test commitments, the Bulls recruited former Bok flyhalf Curwin Bosch from Brive and 20-year-old Junior Bok Luan Giliomee, who made two URC appearances for the Sharks last season. Both are also capable of playing fullback.
To finally win the URC, the Bulls will almost certainly need to finish top of the log and host the final. That means making a fast start, and they have a good opportunity to do so with an away match against last season’s wooden spoonists, Zebre, followed by Munster, who they beat at Loftus in last season’s quarter-finals. They then host three successive matches before three away South African derbies that could determine whether Ackermann’s men make history or are condemned to repeat it.
FACT FILE
Coach: Johan Ackermann
Captain: Marcell Coetzee
2025-26 log finish: 4th (finalists)
ONE TO WATCH
The signing of Curwin Bosch on a three-year deal gives the Bulls another experienced option at flyhalf and fullback. The 29-year-old, who earned two Springbok caps in 2017 and 2018, arrived in Pretoria in July after a two-season stint with French Pro D2 club Brive. Bosch previously played for the Sharks from 2016 to 2023 and also had a short spell in Japan with the Munakata Sanix Blues in 2018. Known for his tactical kicking game and accuracy off the tee, Bosch has said he is returning to South Africa as a more mature player who embraces pressure rather than fears it. He will no doubt be hoping to force his way back into the Bok squad, although the Bulls would prefer that not to happen during the 2026-27 URC season, with first-choice flyhalf Handré Pollard set to miss several matches because of international duty.
FAST FACT
The Bulls scored the most points in last season’s URC (640), including the second-most tries (92).
PLAYERS IN
Thaakir Abrahams (Munster)
Curwin Bosch (Brive)
Luan Giliomee (Sharks)
Hakeem Kunene (Sharks)
Hanro Liebenberg (Leicester)
Dylan Maart (Griquas)
Mawande Mdanda (Sharks)
Sango Xamlashe (Pumas)
ALSO: Bulls, Lions to borrow Griquas hookers
PLAYERS OUT
Kurt-Lee Arendse (Sagamihara Dynaboars)
Johan Goosen (retired)
Henry Immelman (Cheetahs)
Jannes Kirsten (Mont-de-Marsan)
David Kriel (La Rochelle)
Wilco Louw (Stormers)
Ruan Nortjé (Kubota Spears)
Jan Serfontein (retired)
PRE-SEASON: Bulls claim bragging rights in Paarl
URC FIXTURES
26 September: Zebre (a)
3 October: Munster (a)
10 October: Lions (h)
24 October: Ulster (h)
31 October: Scarlets (h)
5 December: Lions (a)
19 December: Sharks (a)
3 January: Stormers (a)
23 January: Benetton (a)
30 January: Leinster (a)
21 February: Stormers (h)
27 February: Sharks (h)
20 March: Dragons (h)
27 March: Edinburgh (h)
17 April: Ospreys (a)
23 April: Cardiff (a)
8 May: Glasgow (h)
15 May: Connacht (h)
The boys describe the 2026/27 home kit in one word.
Let us know yours
. pic.twitter.com/Csxvq2olyB
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) August 26, 2026
Photo: Vodacom Bulls
The post 2026-27 URC preview: Bulls appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Having lost four URC finals in five seasons, the Bulls will be desperate to finally lift the trophy next year.
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