Handré Pollard returns to the starting lineup as the Vodacom Bulls welcome Benetton to Loftus for their final Vodacom URC pool match on Saturday.
After making an impact off the bench in last week’s win over Zebre Parma, Pollard is restored to the No 10 jersey as coach Johan Ackermann reloads his big guns ahead of the playoffs.
Ruan Nortjé also returns to the second row after missing last weekend’s emphatic 54-19 victory, and will partner Cobus Wiese. He’ll also reclaim the captaincy.
MORE: Bulls boss backs Bosch to shine at Loftus
Ackermann has also recalled a number of frontline forwards, with Gerhard Steenekamp and Johan Grobbelaar promoted from the bench to start alongside Wilco Louw in the front row.
In the loose trio, Elrigh Louw returns at flank, joining Jeandré Rudolph and Cameron Hanekom.
The halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Pollard reunites, while the midfield combination of Harold Vorster and Canan Moodie remains unchanged.
There is one enforced change in the back three after Kurt-Lee Arendse failed a late fitness test. Devon Williams comes into the starting side on the right wing, with Sergeal Petersen shifting to the left wing and Willie le Roux shifting to fullback after starting at flyhalf last weekend.
The Bulls have also named a powerful bench featuring Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ruan Vermaak and Stedman Gans.
For the Bulls, victory against Benetton in Pretoria guarantees a home quarter-final and would complete a strong recovery after a mid-season collapse.
KEO: URC playoffs race full of permutations
VODACOM BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Devon Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Ruan Nortjé (c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
YOUR team to face Benetton tomorrow
Benetton | 16 May | 16:00
LOFTUS
https://t.co/9eZxO6xGZq @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA pic.twitter.com/gaRSq4gj4L
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 15, 2026
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Pollard back at 10 as Nortjé returns to lead Bulls appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Handré Pollard returns to the starting lineup as the Vodacom Bulls welcome Benetton to Loftus for their final Vodacom URC pool match on Saturday.
The post Pollard back at 10 as Nortjé returns to lead Bulls appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
