The Bulls host the Scarlets in Round 5 of the United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The Pretoria side have won three of their opening four matches and will look to finish this block of fixtures strongly before the November international break.
Bulls v Scarlets, Saturday 31st October, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, kick-off 17:00 SAST
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
Weather Forecast – Pretoria
Bulls
The Bulls opened their URC campaign with a convincing 47–13 win away to Zebre before losing 26–22 to Munster in Limerick.
They responded emphatically in Round 3, beating the Lions 57–15 at Loftus Versfeld.
Last weekend they defeated Ulster 34–26 in Pretoria. The Bulls led 21–7 at halftime but allowed the visitors back into the contest, with discipline and handling errors contributing to a nervous finish.
The Bulls sit third on the table with 16 points from four matches, having scored 160 points and conceded 80. Their points difference of +80 is the best in the competition.
They have scored at least 34 points in each of their three URC victories, although their ability to maintain intensity over 80 minutes remains an area to improve.
Scarlets
The Scarlets are 14th with eight points from four matches, having won once and lost three times.
They opened with a 21–15 home defeat to Cardiff and then lost 38–26 away to Dragons.
In Round 3 they edged Benetton 27–26 before travelling to Cape Town, where they lost 52–40 to the Stormers last weekend.
The Scarlets fought back from 33–14 down at halftime to level at 40–40 against the Stormers, showing plenty of attacking ability, but ultimately conceded eight tries.
They have scored 108 points and conceded 137. Their defensive record is a concern ahead of a second successive fixture at altitude in South Africa.
Recent URC head-to-head results
25 April 2026: Scarlets 21–23 BULLS (Llanelli)
18 October 2024: SCARLETS 23–22 Bulls (Llanelli)
22 October 2023: BULLS 63–21 Scarlets (Pretoria)
27 January 2023: SCARLETS 37–28 Bulls (Llanelli)
18 March 2022: BULLS 57–12 Scarlets (Pretoria)
The Bulls have won three of the five previous URC meetings, with Scarlets winning two.
The two previous meetings at Loftus were emphatic Bulls victories by 42 and 45 points. The most recent meeting, in Wales in April, was much closer, with the Bulls winning 23–21.
Team news
Handré Pollard is doubtful after sustaining a hamstring injury against Ulster, with his availability dependent on medical assessment.
Canan Moodie and Sango Xamlashe will not be considered this week under concussion return-to-play protocols. Cheswill Jooste is sidelined with a broken cheekbone, while Embrose Papier remains out following ankle surgery.
Coach Johan Ackermann expects to have his available Springboks for this final URC fixture before the international break, although the confirmed matchday squad will be decisive.
The Scarlets travelled to South Africa with a 30-man squad, including Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies and Joe Hawkins. Prop Corey Domachowski has returned to fitness and new signing Tom Allen has joined the touring group.
Confirmed teams to follow.
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Sebastian de Klerk, 23 Hakeem Kunene
Scarlets: 15 Ioan Nicholas, 14 Ioan Jones, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Gabe McDonald, 11 Isaac Murray-Macgregor, 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 6 Sam Lousi, 5 Alex Groves, 4 Tom Allen, 3 Harri O’Connor, 2 John McKee, 1 Corey Domachowski.
Replacements: 16 Isaac Young, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Harvey Cuckson, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Jac Davies.
The Betting
As at 30 October at WSB
Bulls -25.5
Scarlets +25.5
Bet: 3 units (1–5), Bulls over 45.5 points at 9/10 at PokerBet
All our URC bets and motivations will be posted in the Round 5 betting blog.
See what other punters fancy and have your say in the Goodforthegame Rugby Forum thread.
Disclaimer: Odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. No bet is guaranteed to win. Please only bet what you can afford to lose.
