Hard-working Bulls loose forward Mpilo Gumede extended his contract until 2029, while utility forward Marco van Staden committed to the Loftus side for another two years.
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Boosted by a couple of astute forward signings, the Bulls will be looking to impose their trademark physicality on Friday when they take on the Dragons in Newport.
On paper, it may appear a straightforward outing for the Pretoria side. However, the Welsh outfit — currently languishing near the bottom of the United Rugby Championship (URC) table — has a reputation for being a stubborn opponent on home soil.
Rodney Parade (8.45pm kick-off) has often proved a difficult venue for visiting teams, and the Bulls would be unwise to assume this will be a routine clash.
Sitting eighth on the URC log, the Bulls remain firmly in the play-off hunt but know there is still plenty of work to be done. Their unbeaten record against the Dragons in the competition will provide a degree of confidence, yet it also adds pressure to maintain that dominance.
There was positive news off the field this week, with Marco van Staden and Mpilo Gumede extending their contracts, easing concerns about a potential player exodus from Loftus Versfeld.
Van Staden, in particular, is expected to play a key role on Friday evening. His versatility has proven invaluable, with head coach Johan Ackermann utilising him as a back-up hooker to allow for a more dynamic, loose-forward-heavy bench that includes the likes of Gumede. Double World Cup winner Van Staden has signed until 2028, while 25-year-old Gumede has extended his contract until 2029.
The Bulls’ strategy on Friday will likely revolve around establishing dominance up front. Their set-piece — particularly the scrum and lineout — alongside powerful ball carries, will be crucial in generating front-foot ball for the backline.
Behind the pack, the onus will likely fall on flyhalf Handré Pollard and scrumhalf Embrose Papier to dictate tempo and control territory. Ackermann may also consider rotating his squad, potentially giving experienced players such as Willie le Roux an opportunity to make an impact with Le Roux more recently featuring off the bench.
While the Bulls will start as favourites, any hint of complacency could cost them. The Dragons may be struggling in the standings, but on their day — especially at home — they are more than capable of upsetting the top teams.