The Bulls’ clash against Zebre Parma in Italy is the final match for the South African teams in round one.
Johann Ackermann’s side from Pretoria – who have never lost to the club from Parma, will be aiming to reach their fifth Grand Final in six years – but first they must try to get points on the board against a Zebre team that started last season with back-to-back victories.
However, the Bulls can take some early-season confidence into the clash, as they have won their opening URC fixture in each of the last four seasons, and they have lost only once in their last five trips to Italy.
Despite missing key international heavyweights, the Bulls possess substantial quality throughout the side. Veteran fullback Willie le Roux brings valuable experience to the backline alongside explosive wingers Stravino Jacobs and Sebastian de Klerk, back from long-term injury.
Former Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch forms a brand-new halfback pairing with Paul de Wet, while the midfield features the trusted partnership of Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans.
Up front, Marcell Coetzee leads the side from the back row alongside Hanro Liebenberg and Jeandre Rudolph. In the absence of primary front-row options, Alu Tshakweni, Juann Else, and Francois Klopper earn starting berths. The bench features significant impact potential in the form of Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, and promising lock JF van Heerden.
Kick off is at 18:30.
KEEP TRACK OF THE BULLS’ LIVE SCORING
Teams
Zebre: 15 Tommaso Allan, 14 Mirko Belloni, 13 Giulio Bertaccini, 12 Damiano Mazza, 11 Simone Gesi,10 Giacomo Da Re, 9 Alessandro Fusco (captain), 8 Giovanni Licata, 7 Samuele Locatelli, 6 Giacomo Ferrari, 5 Leonard Krumov, 4 Matteo Canali, 3 Juan Ignacio Castellano, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 1 Federico Pisani,
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: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni
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
Zebre Parma v Bulls
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
SA Time: 18:30
Referee: Andrew Brace
TV: SuperSport
