Bristol Bears travel to South Africa for a crucial Investec Champions Cup pool stage match against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. The Bears, on a six-game winning streak, aim for their first victory over the hosts, while the Bulls seek to end a six-game losing run with key Springboks returning. Team news highlights returns and absences for both sides ahead of Saturday's 1pm UK kickoff.
The third round of the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup pool stages brings Bristol Bears to Pretoria for a challenging encounter with the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. Published updates from Bristol Live indicate team news was released at midday on Friday, January 9, 2026, setting the stage for the Saturday fixture.
Bristol Bears enter the match in strong form, having secured victories in their last six outings, including a narrow 17-16 win over the Scarlets and a dominant 61-12 triumph against Pau. These results place them third in Pool 4, behind Northampton Saints and Bordeaux-Begles, both also with two wins, intensifying the competition for top-two spots and a home advantage in the last-16 knockout round.
In contrast, the Vodacom Bulls have struggled, losing their previous six games across competitions. However, coach Johan Ackermann has bolstered the lineup with ten Springboks starters, captained by Ruan Nortje. Embrose Papier returns at scrum-half after a Man of the Match performance last week, while the midfield duo of Harold Vorster and David Kriel reunites. Winger Canan Moodie is sidelined due to concussion protocols.
For Bristol, George Kloska starts at tighthead prop, with Max Lahiff at loosehead and Ellis Genge on the bench. Joe Batley returns from suspension to pair with Pedro Rubiolo in the second row. Full-back Rich Lane makes his first start of the season, replacing the unavailable Louis Rees-Zammit, who is in the GRTP process. Kieran Marmion starts at scrum-half, with internationals Genge, Harry Randall, and Matias Moroni among the replacements. Academy prospects Jimmy Halliwell and Sam Worsley are also in the matchday 23, and Joe Owen nears his 50th appearance from the bench.
The Bulls' starting XV includes Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje (c), Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Jeandre Rudolph, Embrose Papier, Handre Pollard, Stravino Jacobs, Harold Vorster, David Kriel, Sebastian de Klerk, and Willie le Roux. Replacements feature Akker van der Merwe, Gerhard Steenekamp, Mornay Smith, Ruan Vermaak, Mpilo Gumede, Zak Burger, Stedman Gans, and Sergeal Petersen.
French officials lead the game: referee Pierre Brousset, assistants Jeremy Rozier and Benjamin Hernandez, and TMO Denis Grenouillet. Bristol's unavailable players include Will Capon, Jake Woolmore, Lovejoy Chawatama, James Dun, Paddy Pearce, Steven Luatua, Kofi Cripps, AJ MacGinty, Toby Baker, Joe Jenkins, Jack Bates, and Gabriel Ibitoye.
This matchup tests Bristol's momentum against the Bulls' home altitude and returning stars, with Pool 4's tight standings adding pressure.
