Munster are slight favourites but the Bulls showed some excellent form last weekend. This is a match the visitors will feel they can edge early in the season.
- Munster have won 4 of their last 5 home matches.
- Munster lost 26-20 to Glasgow Warriors in their last home match.
- Bulls have won 4 of their last 5 away matches.
- Bulls have won 3 of the last 5 matches against Munster.
- Bulls beat Zebre 47-13 in their last away match.
Bulls Hold Narrow Edge
Bulls have won three of the last five meetings with Munster.
The Bulls won their last encounter 45-14 in the 2025-26 URC quarter-finals.
Munster Lost their Opener
Munster lost 26-20 against Glasgow Warriors in their opening United Rugby Championship match at Thomond Park, after leading 17-7 at half-time.
Munster held a 10-point lead at the break following tries from Ben O'Connor and Michael Milne, alongside 10 points from the boot of JJ Hanrahan, but Glasgow Warriors fought back in the second half to claim a 26-20 win.
Munster have had a decent run of form at home, winning four of their last five matches in all competitions. Their previous home results include wins against Dragons (22-20), Zebre (21-7), Ulster (41-14), the Lions (24-7), and a loss against Glasgow Warriors (26-20).
Munster Starting Lineup
Starting XV: 1 Michael Milne, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Jack Aungier, 4 Tom Ahern, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 6 Sean Edogbo, 7 John Hodnett, 8 Brian Gleeson, 9 Craig Casey, 10 Charlie O'Shea, 11 Shay McCarthy, 12 Dan Kelly, 13 Sean O'Brien, 14 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 15 Shane Daly.
Replacements: 16 Kieran Brookes, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Ronan Foxe, 19 Evan O'Connell, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Ben O'Donovan, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Alex Kendellen.
Bulls off to a Positive Start
The Bulls launched their United Rugby Championship campaign with a dominant 47–13 bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, after leading 21-6 at the break.
Despite an error-strewn opening period where Zebre took an early lead, a 26th-minute penalty try shifted momentum in favour of the Bulls. The Pretoria-based side then took complete control after half-time, running in a total of seven tries, including a brace from lock Reinhardt Ludwig to seal the away win.
Bulls try-scorers were Reinhardt Ludwig (2), Paul de Wet, Ruan Vermaak, Harold Vorster, Hakeen Kunene, and Zak Burger.
Bulls have been strong on the road, winning four of their last five away matches in all competitions. Their previous away results include wins against the Dragons (47-7), Scarlets (23-21), Glasgow Warriors (22-21), a loss to Leinster (36-7), and a win against Zebre (47-13).
Bulls Starting Lineup
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has reshuffled his backline for the tour, bringing in Hakeem Kunene at fullback and moving Springbok veteran Willie le Roux to the bench. They are also missing tighthead prop Mornay Smith due to an ankle injury.
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 Zak Burger, 10 Curwin Bosch, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 12 Stravino Jacobs, 13 Stedman Gans, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 15 Hakeem Kunene.
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Cheswill Jooste, 23 Willie le Roux.