Perennial bridesmaids Bulls to go 'as strong as they can' against All Blacks

Match News and Current Form

Albeit with no trophy to show for it, the Bulls continue to assert themselves as South Africa’s most consistent URC side of recent years, finishing as runners-up four times in the last five seasons. The 2025-26 edition saw them get past both Munster and minor premiers Glasgow on the way to a grand final defeat to URC powerhouse and ten-time champions Leinster at Croke Park. The team has only just returned to pre-season ahead of a season-opening trip away to Zebre on the last weekend of September, which head coach Johan Ackermann admits has potentially impacted the team’s preparations for this match due to the squad getting only three weeks off instead of the usual five. 

Despite that, Ackermann has vowed “to go as strong as (he) can” when it comes to team selection for this match, making everybody available except the several who have been elevated to the Springboks squad. His side includes plenty of international experience such as Marcell Coetzee and Willie Le Roux, as well as three new recruits - Thaakir Abrahams, Curwin Bosch, and Hanro Liebenberg - who have all been named to start. With this game set to be played less than a week before the 50th anniversary of Northern Transvaal’s famous 1976 win over the All Blacks, there have been plenty of reminders throughout the week of what can be possible in these tour matches.

New Zealand had questions to answer after a sluggish tour opener against the Stormers and did so unequivocally, putting on an eight-try blitz to rout the Sharks 54-0 with an especially impressive attacking game that featured slick ball movement and defiant composure. The way they quickly created space and moved the ball into said space was a feature of what was their sixth consecutive win, their equal-longest streak since ten straight in 2021. 

But there will be little to no continuity between Tuesday and Saturday after head coach Dave Rennie made 19 changes - understandable given the circumstances - giving some players on the precipice of Test selection one last chance. That includes an audition at fullback for Beauden Barrett, who failed to impress at number ten against the Stormers, whilst it’ll be a very important game for both Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby on the wings given the news during the week that Will Jordan is in doubt for next weekend’s first international. 

Head-to-Head History

These sides have met four times between 1949 and 1976, the most recent of which saw Northern Transvaal come out on top 29-27. 

Hot Stats and Streaks

The first half was the highest scoring half in the Bulls’ last six URC games.

Bulls conceded 0-14 second half points in each of their last eight European matches.

The second half was the highest scoring half in eight of New Zealand’s last nine games.

New Zealand scored at least 34 points in all five games in 2026.

Key Players to Watch and Missing Players

Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier will have a point to prove as one of the last men to be cut from the Springboks squad for this series despite being the leading try scorer of the URC with 12 (alongside Evan Roos). All Blacks Rieko Ioane scored a try against both the Stormers and the Bulls in the URC finals as well as in the tour game against the Stormers, as part of six tries in his last ten games for Leinster or New Zealand.

In addition to their Springbok contingent, Bulls are missing Akker van der Merwe and Sebastian de Klerk to injury. All Blacks centre Billy Proctor left the tour with injury but Taylor’s return means that Damian McKenzie and Will Jordan are their only injured squad members.

Click here to see the matchday squads for both teams.

Betting Analysis

We’re expecting an intense display from those All Blacks playing for their spot in the first 23 against South Africa and for New Zealand to cover their -30.5 point handicap.

Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.