The Vodacom Bulls return to Champions Cup action at Loftus Versfeld to face the Bristol Bears in a January pool-stage matchup that brings together two teams trending in opposite directions. 

The clubs last met in January 2024 in the Champions Cup, when the Bulls secured a 31-17 victory at home. That result provides a reference point, but recent form suggests a very different challenge this time around.

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The Bulls enter this fixture having lost each of their last five matches across all competitions, including defeats in the opening two rounds of Champions Cup play. Those results have placed pressure on their European campaign and heightened the importance of converting home advantage into points.

Despite the downturn, the Bulls’ lineup still features experience across the spine.

Bristol arrives in strong form, having won five straight matches. That run includes a 19-17 victory over Sale in Premiership play last week and two Champions Cup wins—17-16 over the Scarlets and a decisive 61-12 result against Pau. 

The Bears’ ability to close tight games and generate attacking momentum has underpinned their rise in the pool standings, setting the stage for a significant test in Pretoria.

Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears Kickoff Time, Lineups

The Vodacom Bulls host the Bristol Bears at 8 a.m. ET on Jan. 10 at Loftus Versfeld in Investec Champions Cup pool play.

How To Watch Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears

The Vodacom Bulls vs. the Bristol Bears streams live on FloRugby and the FloSports app as part of Investec Champions Cup coverage.

Vodacom Bulls Lineup vs. Bristol Bears

Starting XV

1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels
2. Johan Grobbelaar
3. Wilco Louw
4. Cobus Wiese
5. Ruan Nortje
6. Marco van Staden
7. Elrigh Louw
8. Jeandre Rudolph
9. Embrose Papier
10. Handré Pollard
11. Stravino Jacobs
12. Harold Vorster
13. David Kriel
14. Sebastian de Klerk
15. Willie le Roux

Replacements

• 16. Akker van der Merwe
• 17. Gerhard Steenekamp
• 18. Mornay Smith
• 19. Ruan Vermaak
• 20. Mpilo Gumede
• 21. Zak Burger
• 22. Stedman Gans
• 23. Sergeal Petersen

Bristol Bears Lineup vs. Vodacom Bulls

Starting XV

1. Max Lahiff
2. Gabriel Oghre
3. George Kloska
4. Pedro Rubiolo
5. Joe Batley
6. Santiago Grondona
7. Fitz Harding
8. Viliame Mata
9. Kieran Marmion
10. Tom Jordan
11. Kalaveti Ravouvou
12. James Williams
13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg
14. Noah Heward
15. Richard Lane

Replacements

• 16. Harry Thacker
• 17. Ellis Genge
• 18. Jimmy Halliwell
• 19. Joe Owen
• 20. Benjamin Grondona
• 21. Harry Randall
• 22. Sam Worsley
• 23. Matias Moroni

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Investec Champions Cup Round 3 Fixtures

Friday, Jan. 9

• 3 p.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
• 3 p.m. ET: Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, TBD

Saturday, Jan. 10

• 8 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears, Loftus Versfeld
• 10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stade Marcel-Michelin
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, TBD
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Salford Community Stadium
• 3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Pau, Parc y Scarlets
• 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Bayonne, Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Sunday, Jan. 11

• 8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop
• 8 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Munster Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol
• 10:15 a.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Northampton Saints, Stade Chaban-Delmas
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Saracens vs. Toulouse, StoneX Stadium

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Top 14
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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