The countdown to the first of four test matches in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour continues at Loftus on Saturday when New Zealand’s final prep comprises of a clash with the Bulls
Bulls vs New Zealand, Pretoria, Kick Off 18:00, Saturday 15th August
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Matthew Carley (RFU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Weather Forecast - Pretoria
Bulls:
The Bulls take their turn to take on the All Blacks. As was the case with the Stormers and the Sharks they will be without their Boks and the rest of the URC squad are only just preparing for the new season where they will bid to go one better than 2025/26 when they finished as runners up to Leinster.
New Zealand:
The All Blacks second tour match saw them thrash the Sharks 54-0 in Durban on Tuesday night (half time 14-0). Despite wet condition they ran in 8 tries and a line up which was much stronger than the one named for the opening tour match easily covered the main pre-match handicap line which had been supported into -38.5 points. Fineanganofo (twice), Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Sam Darry, Jordy Barrett, Kyle Preston and Timoci Tavatavanawai all crossed for the All Blacks with Ruben Love landing 7 of the 8 conversions.
The All Blacks were around -33.5 points on the bookmakers main handicap line for their opening match of the tour against the Stomers in Cape Town. However it was only late on that they put the game to bed with 4 of their 6 tries coming from the 66th minute onwards in a 38-21 victory. After this it’s the first test against the Boks at Ellis Park and South Africa have been priced up as -7.5 points favourites.
In the Nations Championship New Zealand are second in the Southern Hemisphere behind the Springboks on points difference. They won all 3 of their recent home matches with a bonus point, starting by edging out France 34-32 in Christchurch in what was Dave Rennie’s first game in charge. In Round 2 in Wellington New Zealand put Italy away 47–17 whilst arguably their most convincing display came in Round 3 at Eden Park where they beat Ireland 40–21.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Results & Fixtures
Friday 7th August, Stormers 21-38 New Zealand (Cape Town Stadium)
Tuesday 11th August, Sharks 0-54 New Zealand (Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday 15th August, Bulls v New Zealand (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday 22nd August, 1st test: South Africa v New Zealand (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Tuesday 25th August, Lions v New Zealand (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 29th August, 2nd test: South Africa v New Zealand (Cape Town Stadium)
Saturday, 5th September, 3rd test: South Africa v New Zealand (FNB Stadium, Soweto)
Saturday, 12th September, 4th test: South Africa v New Zealand (Baltimore, USA)
Team News
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vortster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa
The Betting
Average early show, subject to change
Bulls +31.5 points at 9/10
New Zealand -31.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Update: Bulls v New Zealand
Posted 15 August 10h43
With the changes to the Bulls bench, and Johan Grobbelaar and Elrigh Louw being released from the Bok squad, the Bulls have firmed slightly and are +27.5 in places, although I still see some +29.5 floating around.
The total points line has now moved to 69.5. This was a game where I was looking to potentially go overs, but that line is starting to get a bit high for my liking.
I'm going to ponder this one a little further and will be back with a bet later in the day.
Bet: Bulls v New Zealand
Posted 15 August 15h15
Bet: 2 units (1–5) – Under 69.5 points at WSB
The handicap on this game is still Bulls +27.5, with the total points line sitting at 69.5.
I was initially looking for a high-scoring game, but 69.5 has me thinking this might actually be an unders play. It's far from a confident call and, I must admit, I don't have a great feel for this game.
At 69.5, though, I'm happy to throw some money at the unders.
It's going to be pretty cold at Loftus, and there was some rain earlier in the week, so I'm hoping there might just be a little moisture in the surface as well.
It's been a good weekend so far, and I'm not going to get any further involved in this one - roll on next weeks 1st test!
Under 69.5 points is the play.
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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