The Bulls have been bolstered by the addition of two Springboks ahead of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour match against the All Blacks.

The Pretoria-based side have confirmed that Rassie Erasmus has released forwards Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar for the clash against Dave Rennie’s men.

Springboks added to Bulls bench for All Blacks showdown

This has forced head coach Johan Ackermann into late changes for the clash, with the pair being included on the bench. The Bulls have confirmed that Louw has replaced Mpilo Gumede in the 20 jersey while Grobbelaar has come in for Jaundre Schoeman as the replacement hooker.

“It’s great to have them with us, and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” head coach Ackermann said.

The Bulls added that the duo have been included on the bench because they had just had a single training session with the team after travelling back from Argentina.

Louw and Grobbelaar both started for the Springboks in their 17-10 victory over Los Pumas.

The remainder of the Bulls team remained unchanged with six Springboks now included in the matchday 23. Veteran full-back Willie Le Roux starts in the number 15 jersey with new signing Thaakir Abrahams named on the right wing and Stravino Jacobs on the left.

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Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans are the starting centres with two-Test Springbok Curwin Bosch debuting for the Bulls in the number 10 shirt, partnering Embrose Papier in the halfbacks.

Marcell Coetzee will face the All Blacks for the fifth time as he captains the side from the number six jersey, and he is joined by Hanro Liebenberg and Jeandre Rudolph in the loose trio. JF van Heerden, Ruan Vermaak, Francois Klopper, Juann Else, and Alu Tshakweni complete the pack.

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Updated Bulls team v New Zealand

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene

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Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19:10 (local SAST), 18:10 (UK), 19:10 (France), 19:10 (South Africa), 03:10 (16 August, AEST), 05:10 (16 August, New Zealand), 14:10 (Argentina), 02:10 (16 August, JST), 13:10 (EDT)
How to watch: Sky Sports (UK and Ireland), Sky Sport / Sky Sport Now (New Zealand), SuperSport (South Africa), Stan Sport / Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), Premier Sports (Canada), WOWOW (Japan), ESPN Sur (Central/South America and Caribbean)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU) and Matthew Carley (RFU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

READ MORE: ‘It’s not just the Springboks’ – All Blacks great reveals ‘admiration’ for South African rugby over contrasting ‘mentalities’