Bok star Elrigh Louw set for comeback as Bulls name team to face Lions

The 26-year-old flanker has been out for nearly 10 months with a serious knee injury, and his inclusion on the bench is a major boost for the Bulls and for South African rugby.

Louw enjoyed a breakout 2024 with the Boks, delivering several standout performances before being forced to miss the entire 2025 season after tearing multiple ligaments (including his ACL, MCL, and PCL) in his left knee, as well as fracturing his leg, during a URC match against the Lions back in January.

Coach Johan Ackermann also provided an update on Cameron Hanekom, another breakout Bulls and Bok star whose season was derailed by injury, saying the young loose forward is still rehabbing after completely rupturing his hamstring tendon in June but "should be available soon."

Louw is one of five Boks named in the Bulls' matchday 23, alongside hooker Akker van der Merwe - also returning from injury - and veteran fullback Willie le Roux, who remains central to the Bulls' plans. Ackermann has opted to rest Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard, who is managing a minor calf niggle.

Kurt-Lee Arendse (concussion) and Jan-Hendrik Wessels (suspension) are still unavailable. Meanwhile, Bulls stars Canan Moodie, Ruan Nortje, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Marco van Staden are preparing for South Africa's clash with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

"Those guys were not available for this week, so we can't get continuity from a team selection or preparation perspective," Ackermann said. "We can only work with the players we've got.

"This starting team now has the opportunity to put their hands up so that, if needed, we can carry continuity into next week's Champions Cup match against Bordeaux."

With a long history against the Lions, Bulls coach Johan Ackermann is expecting a fiercely physical showdown in Pretoria.

"I know their mindset - they'll believe they can come here and win," he said. "They showed good form before the break and will play with confidence. They'll try to increase the tempo, play quickly and bring physicality, so we need to be ready for that."

Bulls - 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (c), 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Alu Tshakweni.

Replacements:  16 Jean Else, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Cheswill Jooste.

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