Edinburgh bring back big guns for Bulls

Edinburgh have brought back their big guns - including former Bulls players Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against the Vodacom Bulls at the Hive stadium on Friday night.

While some eyebrows may have been raised when the side lost 63-10 to Bath last weekend, it was very much a second-string side that went to face Johann van Graan’s side in England and coach Sean Everitt has made seven changes, which include bringing back many of his top players for the clash.

Edinburgh are also unbeaten at home this season, having claimed wins over Benetton, Ospreys, Toulon and Gloucester and Everitt wants that to continue.

Back from injury are Van der Merwe, who was out with a calf injury and Scotland internationals Grant Gilchrist (quad) and D’arcy Rae (ankle). Everitt also brough back Schoeman, Magnus Bradbury and Wes Goosen for the clash after being rested last weekend. The other change is loose forward Liam McConnell who comes into the side.

Edinburgh and Bulls met twice in knockout rugby last term, when Sean Everitt’s men secured a thrilling 33-28 victory at Hive Stadium in the EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter-Final, before the Bulls claimed revenge in Pretoria with a 42-33 win in the URC Quarter-Final.

Everitt is wary of the Bulls strength, which is likely to be their top team given they need to get their URC campaign on track after a string of defeats.

Locked and loaded. 💥

Your Edinburgh Rugby squad to take on the Vodacom Bulls at Hive Stadium on Friday night!

🎟️ https://t.co/stF4xhWF6Z pic.twitter.com/BJoXI2uCGN — Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) January 21, 2026

“We know exactly what the Vodacom Bulls bring. Their squad is packed with Springbok talent and they play a physical, high-intensity brand of rugby. We have to match that physicality from the very first minute if we want to come out on top,” Everitt said

“We are proud of our unbeaten run at Hive Stadium this season and we want to keep it that way for our fans. They have been incredible all year, and it’s vital they get behind us from the first whistle this Friday night to help us get the result this team is working so hard for.”

Edinburgh: Harry Paterson; Darcy Graham, Wes Goosen, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe; Ross Thompson, Ben Vellacott; Magnus Bradbury, Freddy Douglas, Liam McConnell, Grant Gilchrist, Glen Young, D’arcy Rae, Ewan Ashman, Pierre Schoeman.

Replacements: Harri Morris, Boan Venter, Paul Hill, Callum Hunter-Hill, Ben Muncaster, Charlie Shiel, Cammy Scott, Piers O’Conor