---
title: "Bulls vs Ulster URC preview: Lineups and predictions"
canonical: "https://readrugbyunion.com/2026/10/24/bulls-vs-ulster-urc-preview-lineups-and-predictions/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jonny Black"
section: "Bulls"
published: "2026-10-24T08:06:43Z"
modified: "2026-10-24T08:06:44Z"
---

# Bulls vs Ulster URC preview: Lineups and predictions

| Home team | Bulls |
| --- | --- |
| Away team | Ulster |
| Venue | Loftus Versfeld |
| Competition | URC |
| Kick-off time | 12:45 (UK) 1:45 (SA) |
| Watch Live in the UK | Premier Sports |

Bulls vs Ulster URC preview as the sides meet in round four of the URC in Loftus Versfeld. The Bulls have won two of their three matches so far this season and sit on 11 points. Ulster are sitting on eight points after three games and are still waiting on their first win but have drawn three games so far.

Read more match previews [here](https://readrugbyunion.com/matchpreviews/)

## Bulls vs Ulster confirmed lineups

- **Bulls** · **Ulster**
- **Forwards**
- Steenekamp · **1** · O’Toole
- Grobelaar · **2** · Stewart
- Klopper · **3** · Knox
- Vermaak · **4** · Donnell
- Ludwig · **5** · Izuchukwu
- Coetzee · **6** · McCann
- Liebenberg · **7** · Timoney
- Louw · **8** · Augustus
- **Backs**
- de Wet · **9** · Doak
- Pollard · **10** · Murphy
- Jooste · **11** · Lowry
- Vorster · **12** · McCloskey
- Xamlashe · **13** · Benson
- de Klerk · **14** · Mullins
- Giliomee · **15** · Stockdale
- **Replacements**
- van Staden · **16** · Walker
- Tshakweni · **17** · O’Sullivan
- Mchunu · **18** · Wilson
- C Wiese · **19** · Snyman
- Hanekom · **20** · McNabney
- Burger · **21** · Devine
- Bosch · **22** · Flannery
- Maart · **23** · McKillop

## Recent Form:

**Bulls (Home team):**

| **Result** | **Date** | **Competition** | **Opponent** | **Score** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Won | 17th October 2026 | Champions Cup | Stade Francais | 56-20 |
| Won | 10th October 2026 | URC | Lions | 57-15 |
| Loss | 3rd October 2026 | URC | Munster | 26-22 |
| Won | 26th September 2026 | URC | Zebre | 13-47 |
| Loss | 15th August 2026 | Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry | All Blacks | 19-50 |

The Bulls have had a strong start to the season after a loss in the URC final at the end of last year. Their only defeat was narrowly away to Munster. In the Champions Cup, they welcomed Stade Francais and dominated scoring eight tries, conceding two. At it’s closest the game was at 28-20 with just over 20 minutes to go. The Bulls would score four more tries late on.

**Ulster (Away team):**

| **Result** | **Date** | **Competition** | **Opponent** | **Score** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Won | 17th October 2026 | Challenge Cup | Zebre | 21-40 |
| Draw | 10th October 2026 | URC | Munster | 26-26 |
| Draw | 3rd October 2026 | URC | Glasgow | 33-33 |
| Loss | 25th September 2026 | URC | Edinburgh | 29-34 |
| Loss | 22nd May 2026 | Challenge Cup final | Montpellier | 59-26 |

Ulster picked up their first win of the season against Zebre in the Challenge Cup, but are still waiting on their first URC victory of the year. A great first half against Zebre saw the visiting side take a 19-0 lead into halftime. Both teams would score three second-half tries for Ulster to win comfortably.

## Bulls vs Ulster head-to-head record (last five matches):

| Date | Competition | Winner | Score |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 11th October 2025 | URC | Ulster | 28-7 |
| 5th October 2024 | URC | Bulls | 47-21 |
| 29th October 2023 | URC | Ulster | 26-19 |
| 25th March 2023 | URC | Ulster | 32-23 |
| 2nd April 2022 | URC | Bulls | 34-16 |

The home team has won each of the meetings between these teams since South African sides joined the URC.

## Predictions

- Bulls to win
- Both teams to score 3+ tries
- Bulls to come back and win in the final 25 minutes