The Bulls will be looking to take full advantage against tournament strugglers Zebre at Loftus Versfeld in the penultimate round of the URC on Saturday.
To Win
Bulls | Draw | Zebre
Handicap
Bulls | Zebre
Match context
After an up and down season in Johan Ackermann’s first year at the helm, the Bulls have improved markedly to lie seventh with just two rounds of action to play. Given both of those games come in Pretoria against Italian opposition, they should be confident of claiming a maximum 10-log points to solidify and even improve on their current standing.
Having struggled defensively for so much of their campaign (they have the 14th-best defensive stats in the 16-team competition), the fact that they find themselves in this position is testament to their self-belief and attacking prowess.
With a top four spot within reach, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the three-time runners-up putting the hammer down and delivering some big performances over the next two weeks.
The expected return of Canan Moodie will be a welcome boost for the Bulls and further bad news for a Zebre outfit that are placed bottom of the log with 14 losses from their 16 games thus far. The Parma club impressed with their unique attacking game last season but have been far off the pace in 2025-26 and look set to struggle in the Bull Ring.
The visitors haven’t won a match in the competition since the fourth round on 5 October and don’t look set to buck that trend on this season-ending tour of South Africa, with a trip to the Shark Tank in store next week.
When queried about whether the Bulls may be slightly complacent heading into this clash, attack coach Neil de Bruyn was emphatic: ‘Underestimate Zebre? I can assure you there is none of that.’
Considering the Bulls have scored 60-points on average in their four previous meetings with Zebre, things are liable to get nasty again for the tourists.
Players to watch
Cheswill Jooste (Bulls)
19-year-old Jooste has been one of the Bulls’ best players this season and it will surely only be a matter of time before the Springboks come knocking for the Hoërskool Noordheuwel product. Having already represented South Africa at age group level, Rassie Erasmus will have his eye firmly on the talented youngster in the years to come.
This weekend has the potential to be a winger’s dream, with Zebre’s defensive ability on the highveld likely to come under enormous scrutiny — especially in the second-half. Jooste will be just one of the players looking to make their mark and take advantage if his forwards can put in the grunt up front.
Giacomo Da Re (Zebre)
Zebre’s flyhalf simply must make the most of any and every chance he gets to affect play with the boot, whether that means kicking to control territory or get his side out of danger. A capped Italy international, De Re has been around the block enough times to know that his team will have their backs against the wall for long periods this weekend and his decision-making and execution has the potential to either improve things or make matters worse.
Tactical overview
Zebre are low on confidence and will be under the cosh for large parts of this contest. The Bulls’ pack is brutal when they achieve go-forward and it’s unlikely the visitors’ heavies will have the necessary physicality or intensity to trouble them at the contact point.
Massimo Brunello’s team are also ranked last in the competition for lineouts and 15th for scrums, making it difficult to see where they will gain any kind of advantage at Loftus.
On the other hand, the hosts will be eager to stick to simply their regular forward-oriented game and let things unfold from there. They’ve proven themselves on attack this season with the second-best offensive stats in the URC and should create many try-scoring opportunities this weekend against a side that has accumulated a points difference of -205 — the worst in the tournament by 83.
Prediction
The Bulls to clear the handicap with ease and rack up a big score against troubled Zebre.
