Bulls coach Johan Ackermann made wholesale changes to his team for their match against Connacht on Friday in Galway.
A new captain, halfback-pairing, centre combination, hooker and fullback are amongst the notable changes for their second United Rugby Championship (URC) tour match in Ireland (8.45pm kick-off).
Following a 28-7 loss to Ulster, Ackermann made 11 changes to the starting XV and another six on the replacement bench.
Lock Reinhardt Ludwig takes over the captaincy and No 5 jersey, while Paul de Wet and flyhalf Keagan Johannes will take responsibility for the team’s attack and kicking game plan. Centres Jan Serfontein and David Kriel will combine in the midfield, with Springbok Canan Moodie shifting to wing.
At the back, the experience of Willie le Roux will be crucial as the side aims to secure their first win away from Loftus Versfeld this season.
Light rain and a moderate wind are expected at the Dexcom Stadium during the game, but with the side Ackermann selected, the Bulls will look to take the game to their hosts up front and then let their backs loose with quick possession. At times, they were able to do that against Ulster, but they could not finish their opportunities.
In that game, they created plenty of chances, but their handling and discipline let them down. They can’t afford it against Connacht on Friday.
YOUR team to face Connacht on Friday Night 🐂
🗓️ 17 October | 📍 Dexcom Stadium | ⏰ 20:45 @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #TheUnbreakableLine pic.twitter.com/vvUDrZHL4D
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) October 15, 2025
The Bulls will again depend on a strong scrum and new loosehead Alulutho Tshakweni, and hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels will be crucial to their cause alongside tighthead Wilco Louw. There is also a balanced loose trio in poacher Nama Xaba, youngster JJ Theron and the experienced grunt of eighth man Jeandré Rudolph.
Connacht haven’t had a good start to the URC, and the Bulls will look to pounce on this. They’ve never lost three consecutive games in the tournament and will do everything to avoid this statistic.
Bulls starting XV
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Sebastiaan de Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 JJ Theron, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig (captain), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
