Overview

• Coach Johan Ackermann overhauled the starting XV with 11 changes and introduced six new bench options for the United Rugby Championship Round Four clash.
• Reinhardt Ludwig captains the side with David Kriel as vice-captain, part of a broader leadership reshuffle.
• Front-row switches see Alu Tshakweni start at loosehead and Jan-Hendrik Wessels promoted to hooker in place of Johann Grobbelaar.
• Keagan Johannes and Paul de Wet form the halfback pairing, Jan Serfontein returns in midfield, and Willie le Roux and Canan Moodie start in the back three.
• Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard is unavailable after returning to South Africa for the birth of his second child, and the Bulls face Connacht on Friday, October 17 at Dexcom Stadium with Mike Adamson as referee and Hollie Davidson as TMO.