Zebre vs Bulls Predictions - Bulls backed for victory at Zebre in opening URC clash
The Bulls are poised as heavy favorites in their match against Zebre, with an unbeaten record in previous encounters. Despite some injury concerns, particularly around fly-half Curwin Bosch, and a challenging pre-season, the Bulls' depth and recent form make them likely to dominate. Zebre, who have struggled at home and finished bottom of the league, are unlikely to overturn the odds. The key recommendation is to back the Bulls to cover the -11.5 handicap away.
- Bulls have won all previous 5 matches vs Zebre.
- Zebre struggled at home, losing 4 of last 5 matches.
- Best bet: Bulls to cover the -11.5 handicap.
Bulls backed to win away at Zebre (Getty Images)
Zebre vs Bulls Predictions
Bulls are strong favourites backed by an impressive head-to-head record. Despite a tricky pre-season and a doubtful start for fly-half Curwin Bosch due to a calf injury, the Bulls possess the depth and power to overcome Zebre. My best bet is the Bulls to cover the -11.5 handicap away.
- Zebre vs Bulls Predictions
- Head to Head
- Zebre Form
- Zebre Injuries & Team News
- Bulls Form
- Bulls Injuries & Team News
- Zebre have lost 4 of their last 5 home matches.
- Zebre lost 19-18 against the Dragons in their last home match.
- Bulls have won 3 of their last 5 away matches.
- Bulls have won the last 5 matches against Ospreys.
- Bulls lost 36-7 to Leinster in their last away match.
Head to Head
Bulls have dominated Zebre in this fixture, winning all five previous meetings.
Zebre Form
Zebre lost 19-18 against the Dragons, sealed by a last-gasp try from Dragons wing David Richards, in their last match of the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship season.
Zebre have struggled at home, losing four of their last five matches in all competitions. Their previous home results include losses against Connacht (31-15) and Ulster (28-12), followed by a win against Pau (31-15), and a loss against the Dragons (35-32).
Zebre finished bottom of the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship table with 15 points, losing 15 of their 18 matches.
Zebre Injuries & Team News
Starting XV: 1 Federico Pisani, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 3 Juan Ignacio Castellano, 4 Matteo Canali, 5 Leonard Krumov, 6 Giacomo Ferrari, 7 Samuele Locatelli, 8 Giovanni Licata, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 10 Giacomo Da Re, 11 Simone Gesi, 12 Damiano Mazza, 13 Giulio Bertaccini, 14 Mirko Belloni, 15 Tommaso Allan.
Replacements: 16 Francisco Minervino, 17 Sergio Pelliccioli, 18 Filippo Alongi, 19 Franco Carrera, 20 Davide Ruggeri, 21 Thomas Dominguez, 22 Marco Zanon, 23 Giovanni Montemauri.
Bulls Form
Bulls lost 36-7 to Leinster in their last away match of the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship season at Croke Park in Dublin.
Bulls have been in decent form on the road, winning three of their last five away matches in all competitions. Their previous away results include a loss to Glasgow Rangers (25-21), followed by wins against the Dragons (47-7), Scarlets (23-21), and Glasgow Rangers (22-21).
The Bulls finished fourth in the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship with 59 points, winning 12 of their 18 matches.
Bulls Injuries & Team News
Coach Johan Ackermann has warned his team against underestimating a revitalized Zebre side playing at home in front of their home crowd.
Starting XV: 1 Alulutho Tshakweni, 2 Juann Else, 3 Francois Klopper, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 9 Paul de Wet, 10 Curwin Bosch, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 12 Harold Vorster, 13 Stedman Gans, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 15 Willie le Roux.
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Cheswill Jooste, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
Verdict
Bulls are strong favourites backed by an impressive head-to-head record.
Bulls -11.5
Handicap
@1,90 - 1 Unit
up to R15,000 + 100 Spins
use referral code BETS
Join ReadySetBet with promo code BETS and unlock their deposit bonus up to R15000 across the first three deposits + 100 no deposit spins. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
UpcomingEvents
25 September 2026
- Hong Kong vs Oman -
- Cricket
- Afghanistan vs Nepal -
- Cricket
- Auckland vs Manawatu -
- Rugby Union
- Niger vs Lesotho -
- Soccer
- Malawi vs South Sudan -
- Soccer
- Gambia vs Somalia -
- Soccer
- Togo vs Burundi -
- Soccer
- Rwanda vs Liberia -
- Soccer
- Northampton Saints vs Newcastle -
- Rugby Union
- Harlequins vs Bath -
- Rugby Union
- Benetton vs Dragons -
- Rugby Union
- Ulster vs Edinburgh -
- Rugby Union
- Connacht vs Stormers -
- Rugby Union
26 September 2026
- Northland vs Counties Manukau -
- Rugby Union
- Canterbury vs Southland -
- Rugby Union
- North Harbour vs Otago -
- Rugby Union
- Lions vs Leinster -
- Rugby Union
- Sharks vs Ospreys -
- Rugby Union
- Racing 92 vs Bayonne -
- Rugby Union
- Zebre vs Bulls -
- Rugby Union
- Pau vs La Rochelle -
- Rugby Union
27 September 2026
- Wellington vs Waikato -
- Rugby Union
Load More
