Pollard returns as Bulls hand Giliomee first start against Stade Francais

By SABC Sport
15th October 2026

Handre Pollard returns at flyhalf and Luan Giliomee earns his first start at fullback as the Bulls named their team for Saturday's Investec Champions Cup opener against Stade Francais.

The Pretoria outfit have reshuffled their starting XV for Saturday's clash at Loftus, with the Springbok pivot replacing Curwin Bosch at No 10 and Paul de Wet retaining the scrumhalf jersey.

Giliomee's promotion is one of the biggest talking points, with the Under-20 prospect selected at fullback ahead of experienced Springbok Willie le Roux, who drops to the bench.

There are also significant changes up front, with Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu forming a new starting front row. Cobus Wiese joins JF van Heerden in the second row, while Marco van Staden and Elrigh Louw come into the loose forwards alongside Cameron Hanekom.

Louw will lead the side from the back row, with Hanekom retaining the No 8 jersey.

The backline also features changes, with Cheswill Jooste coming in on the left wing and Sango Xamlashe selected at outside centre. Harold Vorster and Sebastian de Klerk retain their places at inside centre and right wing respectively.

On the bench, Embrose Papier replaces Keagan Johannes, while Le Roux provides backline cover alongside Stravino Jacobs. Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp and Francois Klopper are among the forward replacements.

Bulls: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Cheswill Jooste, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alu Tshakweni.

Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Stravino Jacobs, 23 Willie le Roux.