The Bulls begin their 2026/27 United Rugby Championship campaign on Saturday evening when they take on Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
The Pretoria-based side will be looking to make an immediate statement as they begin another campaign with ambitions of challenging deep into the competition. The fixture is the Bulls’ opening match of the new URC season.
Bulls bring experience to Parma
The Bulls head into the encounter with plenty of experience in their lineup, despite several notable absences from their international contingent.
Veteran fullback Willie le Roux provides considerable experience behind a backline that also features Sebastian de Klerk and Stravino Jacobs on the wings.
Curwin Bosch starts at flyhalf, with Paul de Wet alongside him at scrumhalf, while Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans form the midfield partnership.
Captain Marcell Coetzee leads the forward pack, with Hanro Liebenberg and Jeandre Rudolph completing the starting loose trio.
The Bulls will also have experienced options available from the bench, including Nizaam Carr and Zak Burger.
Zebre ready for home opener
Zebre will have home advantage at Lanfranchi and will be determined to make the most of their opening URC fixture in front of their supporters.
Alessandro Fusco captains the Italian side, with Tommaso Allan at fullback and a starting XV that includes Giulio Bertaccini, Damiano Mazza and Simone Gesi in the backline.
Zebre’s starting team also features Giovanni Licata, Samuele Locatelli and Giacomo Ferrari in the loose forwards.
The fixture represents an opportunity for the hosts to begin the new campaign strongly, while the Bulls will be looking to take points from their opening European assignment.
Bulls targeting strong start
The Bulls have enjoyed a strong record against Zebre in recent meetings, and the Pretoria side will be keen to carry that confidence into the new season.
However, opening-round fixtures can bring their own challenges, particularly away from home, and the Bulls will need to manage the conditions and maintain their discipline if they are to leave Parma with a positive result.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, 26 September at 18:30 SA time at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. The official URC match centre lists the fixture as Zebre Parma v Vodacom Bulls.
LIVE SCORING
Follow the Zebre Parma vs Bulls clash for live scoring and key match developments as the two sides launch their 2026/27 URC campaigns.
Teams
Zebre Parma: Tommaso Allan, Mirko Belloni, Giulio Bertaccini, Damiano Mazza, Simone Gesi, Giacomo Da Re, Alessandro Fusco (captain), Giovanni Licata, Samuele Locatelli, Giacomo Ferrari, Leonard Krumov, Matteo Canali, Juan Ignacio Castellano, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Federico Pisani.
Replacements: Francisco Minervino, Sergio Pelliccioli, Filippo Alongi, Franco Carrera, Davide Ruggeri, Thomas Dominguez, Marco Zanon, Giovanni Montemauri.
Bulls: Willie le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs, Curwin Bosch, Paul de Wet, Jeandre Rudolph, Hanro Liebenberg, Marcell Coetzee (captain), Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Vermaak, Francois Klopper, Juann Else, Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: Janco Uys, Dylan Smith, Mornay Smith, JF van Heerden, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Cheswill Jooste, Hakeem Kunene.
Zebre Parma v Bulls
Saturday, 26 September 2026
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
18:30 SA time
United Rugby Championship — Round 1
