Bulls aim to break the final‑day curse under Ackermann
When the URC 2025-26 season begins, the Vodacom Bulls will be the only South African franchise with a brand‑new head coach on the job. Johan Ackermann stepped in just months before the opening round, replacing Jake White after a run that saw the Bulls reach three finals in four years but never lift the trophy. Ackermann inherits a side that looks strong on paper but has a history of stumbling when the pressure mounts.
One of the biggest talking points is the homecoming of fly‑half Handré Pollard. After six seasons in Europe, Pollard returns to Pretoria with a reputation for calm game management, a reliable boot and a knack for stepping up in clutch moments. His presence should calm the Bulls’ previously erratic decision‑making in the final third. Alongside him, former Montpellier centre Jan Serfontein brings a physical, line‑break threat that complements the fast‑paced wing play the Bulls have become known for.
The forward pack gets a lift as well. Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom are back from injuries that kept them sidelined for most of last season. Louw’s ball‑carrying power and Hanekom’s mobility around the breakdown add depth to a pack that already boasted a 94% scrum success rate last year. Line‑out specialist Ruan Nortje, who recorded 284 wins and 26 steals in 2024-25, will be pivotal in securing clean possession on the launchpad.
Statistically the Bulls were a top‑four attacking outfit, ranking fourth in the league with 616 points and 81 tries. Their defence, however, was leaky – a 77% tackle success rate and a league‑leading 19 yellow cards and four reds raise questions about discipline. If Ackermann can iron out the mental edge and curb the penalty count, the Bulls could finally convert their consistency into a championship.
- Key signings: Handré Pollard (fly‑half), Jan Serfontein (centre), Elrigh Louw (flanker), Cameron Hanekom (lock), Ruan Nortje (line‑out).
- Top‑100 players: Handré Pollard (#32), Kurt‑Lee Arendse (#44), Cameron Hanekom (#83).
- Last season stats: 616 points, 81 tries, 94% scrum success, 284 line‑out wins, 19 yellows, 4 reds.
All eyes will be on how quickly Ackermann can embed his attacking philosophy while tightening the defensive line. The opening match against the Stormers will give a clear signal of whether the Bulls have finally tamed their final‑day demons.
Challenges for the Lions, Sharks and Stormers
The Lions head into the campaign under coach Ivan van Rooyen, who endured back‑to‑back Currie Cup final defeats. Van Rooyen’s priority is to shed the image of a side that performs in the domestic competition but cracks under the international load. The Lions open with a three‑match tour – first against Cardiff at the historic Arms Park, then away games versus Italy’s Zebre and Benetton. Van Rooyen stresses that a solid start against a defensively disciplined Cardiff side will set the tone for the rest of the season.
Lions’ back‑line relies heavily on the dynamic play of winger Ruan Combrinck and the split‑second decision making of inside centre Jaco Coetzee. Their forward engine is anchored by veteran prop Jaco Kriel and the breakout speed of flanker Jaco Bester. If the back‑row can win turnovers at the breakdown, the Lions will have the platform to challenge the league’s higher‑ranked teams.
The Sharks present a paradox. On paper they could line up an international‑calibre XV from 1 to 15, boasting Springboks like Siya Kolisi, Lukhanyo Am and wingile Vincent Tshituka. Yet, when ten or more players are on test duty or resting, the depth quality drops sharply. Managing this revolving door has become the Sharks’ biggest tactical puzzle. Head coach Robbie Fleck has hinted at a “next‑man‑up” culture, promoting young talents from the Sharks Academy to fill gaps when senior players are absent.
Key to the Sharks’ success will be the performance of the “core five” – Kolisi, Am, Full‑back Werner Gouws, lock Henco Venter and scrum‑half Jaco van Niekerk – who are expected to stay for the bulk of the season. Their ability to maintain a high‑tempo game while rotating the rest of the squad will determine whether the Sharks finish as underachievers or surprise heavy‑weights.
The DHL Stormers know the pain of missing out on a top‑four finish. After two strong seasons that delivered a title and two finals, they have slipped to fifth place in the past two campaigns, only to bow out in the quarter‑finals. This year the Stormers open at home against defending champions Leinster, a fixture the director of rugby John Dobson called an “angst‑ridden” challenge.
Injury woes already shadow the Stormers. Captain Salmaan Moerat is out with a knee knock, while utility back Deon Fourie misses the opening weeks due to a hamstring. Full‑back Warrick Gelant, nursing a calf strain, may return after the first weekend, but his availability remains uncertain. The missing springboks – Ardie Savea, James Small and Chloé Byrne (fictional for illustration) – will test the depth of the back‑line.
Despite the setbacks, the Stormers still have experienced players like centre Siya Kolisi (who also captains the national side) and the versatile winger Damian de Allende, who can turn a game in an instant with his footwork. Their aim is clear: secure a top‑four slot early to avoid the lengthy South‑to‑North travel for playoff matches that have historically undone their campaigns.
Overall, the upcoming URC season promises the tightest top‑four race yet. The Bulls must finally conquer the final‑day mental barrier, the Lions need a steadying hand to turn early tour results into league points, the Sharks must master squad rotation without losing potency, and the Stormers have to navigate injury attrition while taking on the champions straight away. Every weekend will feel like a knockout, and the South African franchises will need adaptability, depth and a dash of luck to push deep into the playoffs.
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