The Vodacom Bulls will be out to respond when they face Connacht on Friday night, aiming to reverse their fortunes from last weekend’s 28–7 defeat to Ulster.
Johan Ackermann has made sweeping changes, 11 in total, as he rotates his squad midway through the European tour. Reinhardt Ludwig captains the side, while Willie le Roux and Canan Moodie retain their backline roles. Handré Pollard, however, has returned home for the birth of his second child, with Keagan Johannes stepping in at flyhalf alongside scrumhalf Paul de Wet.
The Bulls were outmuscled in Belfast, failing to score in the second half as Ulster exploited a yellow card to run in three quick tries. Discipline and physicality will again be crucial against Connacht, whose record in Galway makes them a tricky opponent.
Ackermann’s team have won three of their four previous meetings against the Irish side, though their only defeat, a 34–7 loss in 2021, came at The Sportsground. The wet, windy conditions typical of Galway often suit Connacht’s forward-heavy, territorial approach, which will test the Bulls’ set piece and handling accuracy.
Connacht enter Round 4 off mixed form but remain tough to beat at home. The Bulls’ reshuffled pack, featuring Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Alu Tshakweni up front, will need to set the tone early to reassert control after last week’s loss.
On Betway, the odds reflect just how tight this contest is. Connacht are priced at 2.00, the Bulls at 1.97, with a draw at 24.00. It’s near even money, but given the Bulls’ superior depth and three wins from four against Connacht, there’s solid value in backing the visitors to edge a tight contest in Galway.
Go to SARugbymag and KEO.co.za for the latest on rugby.
Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
