2025-26 United Rugby Championship Round 2 Predictions & Tips

Bulls vs Leinster Predictions - Bulls can win against much-changed Leinster

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

Ralph Staniforth 2 hours ago

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Leinster lost 35-0 to the Stormers last week and made 7 changes for this match.
Bulls beat Ospreys 53-40; defense remains a concern despite victory.
Leinster defeated Bulls 32-7 in last season’s final; this match is expected to be much closer with Bulls slightly favored.

Leinster beat the Bulls 32-7 in last season’s URC final. (Getty Images)

Bulls vs Leinster Predictions

Leinster were poor in Cape Town last weekend while the Bulls, despite beating Ospreys, were hardly convincing. Leinster have rung the changes to get back to winning ways while the Bulls have suffered key injury losses. This could be very tight with my best bet going the way of the Bulls.

Bulls vs Leinster Predictions
Head to Head
Bulls Form
Bulls Injuries & Team News
Leinster Form
Leinster Injuries & Team News

Bulls won their last match 53-40.
Leinster lost their last match 35-0.
Leinster beat the Bulls 32-7 in last season’s URC final.
Leinster have made 7 changes to their side this week.

Head to Head

These two met in the United Rugby Championship final in Ireland. Leinster won the final convincingly, 32-7.

Bulls Form

The Bulls reached the final of the 2024/25 URC where they suffered a defeat to Leinster, their very opponents on Saturday. While revenge may be on their minds, a home win is far more important for the season ahead.

The Pretoria-based outfit is again expected to challenge among the top sides this season and last week they got the Johan Ackerman era off to a winning start.

However, the 53-40 victory over the Ospreys was not all positive. They were down at half time and conceded 40 points on home soil, that will have to tighten up as the season progresses.

A similar defensive performance this weekend could see them lose at home against a much stronger Leinster side.

Bulls Injuries & Team News

The Bulls have lost a few key players to injury with Harold Vorster coming in for the injured Jan Serfontein. Cheswill Jooste is also out with injury while Cobus Wiese misses out for concussion protocols.

Leinster Form

Leinster are considered the favourites to win the URC this season after claiming the title last season. For the last five years at least they Irish club has been the favourite but have only managed to win it once.

While nowhere near full strength, Leinster suffered an embarrassing defeat last week in Cape Town to the Stormers. The 35-0 loss, even with a weakened team, is an unacceptable scoreline. It was the first time Leinster had been nilled in about 15 years.

A strong side appears this weekend for Leinster, but the Bulls will be a tough nut to crack. Although all South African sides are missing their international players, it remains a competitive Bulls outfit.

Leinster Injuries & Team News

Leinster have made seven changes to their side in an attempt to bounce back from last week’s embarrassing defeat to the Stormers. Sam Prendergast continues at flyhalf with Robbie Henshaw shifting to inside centre. Hugh Cooney starts at 13. There is a new look backrow as well for the Irish club.

Verdict

Bulls v Leinster

Bulls are backed to beat Leinster at home in the URC.

Bulls Win

Result

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