Bulls vs Ulster: Preview and Predictions 

The Vodacom Bulls return to United Rugby Championship (URC) action at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 24 October 2026, when they host Ulster in Round 4. Riding high after a convincing European victory, the Pretoria side will look to carry that momentum into the league and strengthen its position on the URC log. 

Ulster arrive in South Africa with a point to prove. Despite a challenging start to their domestic campaign, the Irish province showed what it can do with a commanding Challenge Cup win over Zebre Parma last weekend. With home advantage favouring the Bulls and Ulster eager to turn their URC fortunes around, this clash could deliver an entertaining afternoon of rugby. 

Why This Match Matters So Much 

For the Bulls, this fixture presents an opportunity to build consistency across competitions. Johan Ackermann’s side opened its URC campaign with a 47-13 bonus-point win over Zebre Parma, followed by a narrow 26-22 defeat to Munster. The Bulls then returned to Loftus Versfeld and produced a 57-15 victory over the Lions. 

They carried that attacking form into European competition, beating Stade Français 56-20 in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup. With their confidence boosted by successive commanding performances at home, the Bulls will want to make Loftus a difficult place for visiting teams to earn points. 

But Ulster should not be underestimated. Richie Murphy’s side began its URC campaign with a narrow 35-32 defeat to Edinburgh before drawing 33-33 with Glasgow Warriors and 26-26 with Munster. Those results suggest that Ulster can compete with quality opposition, even if it has struggled to turn promising performances into victories. 

The province also enjoyed a strong response in the EPCR Challenge Cup, defeating Zebre Parma 40-21 away from home. That result provides a timely confidence boost ahead of a demanding trip to Pretoria. 

Ulster won the most recent meeting between the sides, beating the Bulls 28-7 in Belfast in October 2025. However, the Pretoria outfit has won both of its previous URC home meetings against Ulster at Loftus Versfeld, including a 47-21 victory in October 2024. 

With the Bulls looking to protect their home record against the Irish province and Ulster seeking their first URC win of the campaign, both sides have plenty riding on this Round 4 encounter. 

Tactical Overview  

Can the Bulls dominate up front? 

The Bulls’ forward pack will be central to their plans. Ackermann has made eight changes to the starting pack following the victory over Stade Français, bringing fresh personnel into the front row, second row, and loose forwards. 

Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, and Francois Klopper start in the front row, while Ruan Vermaak and Reinhardt Ludwig form the second-row partnership. Marcell Coetzee returns to captain the team from blindside flank, with Hanro Liebenberg at openside and Elrigh Louw moving to No. 8. 

The reshuffle gives the Bulls an opportunity to bring fresh energy to the set pieces and the breakdown. A strong scrum, accurate line-out execution, and effective close-quarter carrying could help them establish territory and put Ulster under pressure. 

The Bulls will also want to turn their forward dominance into attacking opportunities. Quick ball from the breakdown would allow halfbacks Paul de Wet and Handre Pollard to dictate the tempo, while the midfield combination of Harold Vorster and Sango Xamlashe offers a platform for direct running and support play. 

However, Ulster’s loose forwards could make that task difficult. Nick Timoney and David McCann will look to disrupt the breakdown, while Juarno Augustus provides a powerful carrying option from the back of the scrum. 

Ulster’s attacking threat 

Ulster’s challenge will be to withstand the Bulls’ physical approach while creating opportunities of their own. 

The Irish province has dangerous attacking options throughout its backline. Scrum-half Nathan Doak and fly-half Jack Murphy will be responsible for connecting the forwards with the outside backs, while Stuart McCloskey brings experience and physicality to the midfield. 

McCloskey’s ability to carry into contact and create space for his teammates could be particularly important against a Bulls defence that will want to maintain a strong line and force Ulster into mistakes. 

Ulster can also threaten from broken play. With Jacob Stockdale at full-back and Michael Lowry on the left wing, the visitors have players capable of exploiting space and turning loose possession into attacking opportunities. 

The key will be accuracy. If Ulster can retain possession, vary its point of attack and make good use of the kicking game, it could prevent the Bulls from settling into a comfortable rhythm. 

The battle for territory and discipline 

Playing at altitude in Pretoria presents an additional challenge for visiting teams. Ulster will need to manage its energy carefully, particularly if the Bulls can maintain a high tempo throughout the match. 

Territorial kicking, effective kick-chasing, and disciplined defence will therefore be important for both sides. Handre Pollard’s tactical kicking could help the Bulls pin Ulster back, while the visitors will need to make their exits count and avoid giving away penalties in their own half. 

Discipline could prove decisive. The Bulls will want to turn pressure into points rather than allow Ulster opportunities to clear its lines, while the visitors must avoid conceding easy penalties that give Pollard the chance to keep the scoreboard moving. 

If the Bulls establish territorial control early, they could put Ulster under sustained pressure. If the visitors keep the match close and force the hosts into unforced errors, the contest could become much more competitive in the second half. 

Players to Watch  

Cameron Hanekom (Bulls)  

Cameron Hanekom is one of the Bulls’ most exciting loose forwards, and his impact off the bench could be important against Ulster. His performances against the Lions and Stade Français demonstrated his ability to carry strongly, break tackles, and provide momentum around the breakdown. 

Juarno Augustus (Ulster)  

South African-born Juarno Augustus will be one of Ulster’s key players at Loftus Versfeld. The No. 8 arrives in Pretoria after earning Player of the Match in Ulster’s Challenge Cup victory over Zebre Parma. He made 25 carries in that match, demonstrating his ability to take the ball into contact repeatedly and keep his team moving forward. 

Starting Lineup (Bulls)  

1. Gerhard Steenekamp 

2. Johan Grobbelaar 

3. Francois Klopper 

4. Ruan Vermaak 

5. Reinhardt Ludwig 

6. Marcell Coetzee 

7. Hanro Liebenberg 

8. Elrigh Louw 

9. Paul de Wet 

10. Handre Pollard 

11. Cheswill Jooste 

12. Harold Vorster 

13. Sango Xamlashe 

14. Sebastian de Klerk 

15. Luan Giliomee 

Replacements 

16. Marco van Staden 

17. Alulutho Tsakweni 

18. Akhona Mchunu 

19. Cobus Wiese 

20. Cameron Hanekom 

21. Zak Burger 

22. Curwin Bosch 

23. Dylan Maart  

Starting Lineup (Ulster)  

1. Tom O’Toole 

2. Tom Stweart 

3. Jeynan Knox 

4. Ben Donnell 

5. Cormac Izuchukwu 

6. David McCann 

7. Nick Timoney 

8. Juarno Augustus 

9. Nathan Doak 

10. Jack Murphy 

11. Michael Lowry 

12. Stuart McCloskey 

13. Jamie Benson 

14. Chay Mullins 

15. Jacob Stockdale 

Replacements  

16. Henry Walker 

17. Eric O’Sullivan 

18. Scott Wilson 

19. Eli Snyman 

20. James McNabney 

21. Matthew Devine 

22. Jake Flannery 

23. James Mckillop  

Match Details 

Date: 24 October 2026  

Venue: Loftus Versveld, Pretoria 

Kick-off Time: 13:45pm  

TV: SuperSport  

Prediction   

The Bulls head into this encounter as the favourites, thanks to their recent attacking performances and home advantage. Their 57-15 URC victory over the Lions and 56-20 Champions Cup win against Stade Français suggest that Ackermann’s side has the firepower to trouble Ulster’s defence. 

However, Ulster’s recent results show that they can be difficult to put away. Consecutive draws against Glasgow Warriors and Munster demonstrated their resilience, while their victory over Zebre Parma offered an encouraging attacking response. 

The key question is whether Ulster can cope with the Bulls’ physicality and intensity for the full 80 minutes. If the home side dominates the set pieces, wins the territorial battle and converts its opportunities, it should have enough quality to secure another victory at Loftus. 

Prediction: Bulls to win 

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