The Pretoria-based side debuted in EPCR’s elite competition last season and reached the Round of 16, bowing out at the hands of five-time champions Stade Toulousain.

The 2023/24 Champions Cup will see Vodacom Bulls go up against Saracens, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Bristol Bears, Connacht Rugby and Lyon in Pool 1, and they have added EPCR experience ahead of the campaign.

Hooker van der Merwe made 14 Heineken Champions Cup appearances for former club Sale Sharks, scoring eight tries, while full-back le Roux turned out 10 times in the tournament for Wasps, crossing twice.

CEO Edgar Rathbone hailed the arrival of Van der Merwe, 32, who has also played for Sharks, Lions and Leopards in his native South Africa and had a brief stint at Racing 92 in 2015.

“We are thrilled to have Akker join us and a player of his skill and calibre will be a wonderful addition for our franchise as we continue evolving and set our eyes on success across the various competitions,” he told the club’s media.

“He is also a well-travelled player that has continuously done well wherever he has played and that speaks of a resilient character that will be of great help to our younger players too.

“I know he is a player who is keen to give as much as he can, and his know-how will be invaluable for us.”

Meanwhile, World Cup winner Le Roux, 33, joins after a spell with Toyota Verblitz in Japan, having also played for Cheetahs, Griquas and Sharks in South Africa prior to his two seasons at Wasps.

“Willie is a world-class player with so much experience behind him,” Rathbone said. "Our stable is sure to benefit from having a player with more than 83 caps for his national side.

“Moreover, we believe that his wealth of experience will really add more stability to our backline.

“We are continuing with our ambitions of putting together a squad that can help us not only challenge but go for the crowns whilst playing some entertaining rugby and he is a player that falls into classification.

“We are all confident that his versatility will be appreciated by both the young and the wise.”

Vodacom Bulls have bolstered their squad ahead of their second season in the Heineken Champions Cup with the signings of South Africa internationals Akker van der Merwe and Willie le Roux.