Overview

• The Bulls named Handré Pollard for his first appearance since 2019 alongside fellow Springboks Wilco Louw, Marco van Staden and Canan Moodie for Ulster away, with eight Boks in the starting XV.
• Stormers coach John Dobson made 10 changes for Scarlets in Llanelli, starting Damian Willemse at fullback and Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu at flyhalf to sharpen decision‑making on tour.
• The Lions recalled Springbok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg to start against Benetton in Treviso as they search for a first win after losses to Cardiff and Zebre.
• The Sharks brought back internationals for Leinster in Dublin, with Makazole Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker starting on the wings and Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch named on the bench.
• South African teams are prioritising set‑piece strength, game management and finishing on a three‑match European swing, with the Bulls entering Round Three atop the URC after two bonus‑point victories.