The Vodacom Bulls hope to return to the United Rugby Championship knockout stage after finishing sixth in the standings last season. The Bulls went 10-0-8 to qualify for the quarterfinals in their second season playing in the URC. 

The Bulls, one of a handful of South African clubs competing among the European clubs, entered the URC in 2021 after nine years in Super Rugby competing with the Australian and New Zealand clubs. 

The Vodacom Bulls reached the URC Grand Final that season. 

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After reaching the knockout stage this past May, the Bulls lost to the DHL Stormers 33-21. The Stormers went on to reach the Grand Final, losing to Munster. 

This season, the Bulls open the slate against the Scarlets at home in Week 1. Here’s what to know about the Vodacom Bulls. 

Vodacom Bulls Rugby URC Schedule 2023-2024

Here’s a look at the schedule for Vodacom Bulls Rugby: 

• Week 1, Oct. 22: Vodacom Bulls vs. Scarlets, 9 a.m. ET
• Week 2, Oct. 29: Vodacom Bulls at Ulster, 1 p.m. ET
• Week 3, Nov. 4: Vodacom Bulls at Zebre Parma, 9 a.m. ET 
• Week 4, Nov. 10: Vodacom Bulls vs Cardiff Rugby, 2:35 p.m. ET
• Week 5, Nov. 17: Vodacom Bulls at Edinburgh, 2:35 p.m. ET
• Week 6, Nov. 25: Vodacom Bulls vs. Connacht, 10 a.m. ET
• Week 7, Dec. 2:  Vodacom Bulls vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, 8 a.m. ET 
• Week 8, Dec. 23: Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stormers, 12:15 p.m. ET
• Week 9, Jan. 27  Vodacom Bulls vs. Emirates Lions, 10 a.m. ET
• Week 10, Feb. 17: Vodacom Bulls at Emirates Lions, 8 a.m. ET
• Week 11, March 2: Vodacom Bulls vs. DHL Stormers, 10:05 a.m. ET
• Week 12, March 23: Vodacom Bulls at Dragons RFC, 3:35 p.m. ET
• Week 13, March 29: Vodacom Bulls at Leinster, 3:35 p.m. ET
• Week 14, April 20: Vodacom Bulls at Munster, 11:05 a.m. ET
• Week 15: April 27: Vodacom Bulls vs. Ospreys, 9 a.m. ET
• Week 16, May 11: Vodacom Bulls vs. Glasgow Warriors, 8 a.m. ET
• Week 17, May 18: Vodacom Bulls vs. Benetton, 8 a.m. ET
• Week 18, June 1: Vodacom Bulls at Hollywoodbets Sharks, 10:05 a.m. ET 

When Are the 2024 United Rugby Championship Quarterfinals?

The URC quarterfinals are June 7-8. Currently there are three games scheduled for June 8 and one on June 7. 

Times are to be announced. 

When Are the 2024 United Rugby Championship Semifinals?

The URC Semifinals are June 15.

Times are to be announced. 

When is the United Rugby Championship Grand Final?

The URC Final is scheduled for June 22. 

Vodacom Bulls' Odds Of Winning The Grand Final

The Bulls enter the season with decent odds to reach the URC Grand Final with the sixth-best odds at 16-to-1, according to most betting sites in Europe. 

Who Is The Best Player For Vodacom Bulls Rugby? It’s Johan Grobbelaar

The URC listed the top 100 players entering the 2023-2024 season. Vodacom Bulls Hooker Johan Grobbelaar is the No. 11-ranked player, according to the URC. 

Overall, there are three top-50 players on the rankings, including fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse (42) and wing Canan Moodie (46). 

Second row Janko Swanepoel is No. 51, hooker Bismarck du Plessis is No. 69, scrum half Embrose Papier is No. 77 and back row Marcell Coetzee is No. 84

Where Is Vodacom Rugby Based?

The Vodacom Bulls Rugby home grounds are in Pretoria, South Africa, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. 

Who Coaches Vodacom Bulls Rugby? It’s Jack White

Former Springboks coach Jack White, who led South Africa to the 2007 Rugby World Cup title, is the coach of the Bulls. He was hired in 2020. 

Blue Bulls Rugby Vs. Vodacom Bulls Rugby

The club has been around since 1938 as the Northern Transvaal Rugby Union. The Bulls adopted the Barberton Daisy as the emblem, which led to the light blue color that became the club's trade mark. 

According to their website, “A decision was made at the beginning of the 1998 season to change the proud union’s name to the Blue Bulls in domestic competitions and the Bulls in Vodacom Super Rugby.”

So, for Currie Cup action, they’re known as the Blue Bulls. 

Vodacom Bulls Rugby, eh, Blue Bulls Compete For The Currie Cup

That said, the Bulls compete in the Currie Cup, the South Africa version of the EPCR and Investec Champions Cup.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls have won the Currie Cup 24 times, including in 2021.

Vodacom Bulls Rugby Compete In The Investec Champions Cup 

The Vodacom Bulls qualified for the Investec Champions Cup, formerly the Heineken Champions Cup, after finishing in the top-8 of the URC standings last season. 

They will face Saracens of the Gallagher Premiership on Dec. 9, 2023 in the first round. 

How Did The Vodacom Bulls Rugby Get Their Name? 

Vodacom is a South Africa mobile communication company that sponsors many sports in the country. The company also sponsored the Super Rugby league, which led to the club being known as the Vodacom Bulls outside South Africa. 

How To Watch Vodacom Bulls Rugby 

The Vodacom Bulls will stream live on FloRugby and FloSports all season. Both the Bulls’ URC schedule and Currie Cup games will stream on both platforms in the United States. 

Replays, highlights and archival matches are also available on both platforms. 

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