Springbok firepower returns: The five men who will aid Bulls and Lions’ European ambitions

The Champions and Challenge Cups kick off this weekend, and the Highveld will host two matches when the Bulls take on champions Bordeaux at 5.15pm on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, and the Lions entertain Benetton at 3pm at Ellis Park.

Adding rich flavour to the fixtures is the return of the international players from the November Autumn Series in Europe. We look at five players who could influence the outcome of the matches.

Handre Pollard (Bulls)

After six years in Europe, Pollard is back at the Blue Bulls union that launched his brilliant career.

During his time away from Pretoria, he has been key to the Springboks winning two World Cups. But this year, the 31-year-old dropped down the flyhalf pecking order to third behind Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok.

The Champions Cup is the perfect platform for Pollard to show he still has what it takes while giving the Bulls calmness in a vital position.

Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions)

The Lions prop was called up to the Springbok tour after Ox Nche was badly injured. This week, the big fellow spoke reverently about what he learned at the Boks. He added that provincial players should aspire to the standards set by the national team.

The Lions players will be more than happy to follow Ntlabakanye’s lead as they tackle the dangerous Italian side. Benetton are also boosted by the return of star players from the Azzurri.

Wilco Louw (Bulls)

What a standout year this has been for Louw. He has proved to be one of the most dangerous scrummagers in world rugby. Each time he takes the field for the Springboks, he guarantees them a handful of scrum penalties.

Rassie Erasmus has preferred using Louw off the bench, behind Thomas du Toit, but Bulls coach Johan Ackermann will want to get Louw in action from the first whistle.

The Bulls must attack Bordeaux up front to put their lethal backline on the back foot. They can achieve that with Louw and another returning Bok, Gerhard Steenekamp, working in tandem.

Morne van den Berg (Lions)

When Van den Berg was on duty for the Boks in Cardiff last week, Nico Steyn had a very good game for the Lions when they beat the Bulls in Pretoria, but Van den Berg is even better.

He is a proven try-poacher, scoring five in his six appearances for the Boks. The man they call Krappies is a big-game player, and the control he exudes from scrumhalf could prove vital against a Benetton side packed with Italy internationals.

The Lions could also have the best of both worlds by bringing on Steyn late in the game.

Canan Moodie (Bulls)

Moodie may be just 23 years of age, but he has already played 23 Tests for South Africa, scoring nine tries.

He is another Bull to have enjoyed a big season in 2025. He has proved a major threat to veteran Jesse Kriel at outside centre, while he is comfortable on either wing.

The return of Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Pollard is a significant boost for a Bulls backline up against Bordeaux’s French stars in wings Damien Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert.