Overview
- Handré Pollard is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in late October, and Curwin Bosch has been named to start at flyhalf for the Bulls' Round Five URC match against the Scarlets.
- Coach Johan Ackermann publicly backed Bosch's promotion, calling him a natural kicker and highlighting targeted work with specialist coach Vlok Cilliers to improve his goal-kicking.
- Bosch will make only his fourth start of the season after returning from France and has shown improved attacking form alongside past inconsistency in defence and place-kicking.
- Ackermann made extensive changes to the matchday squad, including 12 alterations, a new front row and Dylan Maart earning his first start, as part of a rotation strategy to prove squad depth.
- Ackermann confirmed Pollard, Sango Xamlashe and Cheswill Jooste are recovering from knocks and are expected to return after the Nations Championship break, which could create selection pressure at 10 when they are fit again.