URC Preview | Munster v Bulls

 Sat 3 Oct, 19:45 (UK/IRE), Thomond Park

Broadcasters: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby

• Jack Aungier starts on his Munster debut with Marnus van der Merwe and Academy out-half Charlie O'Shea making their first starts
• New signing Hakeem Kunene gets his first start in the BKT URC for the Vodacom Bulls

The big picture

Munster host Vodacom Bulls in a repeat of last season’s Quarter-Final, which the Bulls won 45-14 at Loftus Versfeld. Munster

are looking for their first victory after losing to Glasgow, while Bulls began with a win at Zebre.

Match angles

• Munster’s 20-26 defeat to Glasgow in Round 1 ended a run of three successive URC victories at Thomond Park.

• Munster’s only win in their last four URC matches was 24-17 over Lions in Round 18 last season, their only victory over

South African opposition since November 2024.

• Bulls’ only defeat in their last ten URC matches was 7-36 to Leinster in last season’s Grand Final.

• The South Africans’ only victory in their last four visits to Ireland was 28-27 over Connacht in October 2025.

• Bulls have won the last three clashes with Munster since the Irish side’s 27-22 victory at Loftus Versfeld in April 2024.

Form snapshot

Munster Rugby last 6 URC: W-W-L-W-L-L

Vodacom Bulls last 6 URC: W-W-W-W-L-W

Recent URC meetings

In the last five meetings, Munster Rugby have 2 wins and Vodacom Bulls 3 wins.

30 May 2026: Vodacom Bulls 45 Munster Rugby 14

28 Mar 2026: Vodacom Bulls 34 Munster Rugby 31

19 Apr 2025: Munster Rugby 13 Vodacom Bulls 16

Overall URC H2H

Munster Rugby 2 wins, Vodacom Bulls 4 wins, 0 draws.

Key players in the URC this season

Munster Rugby: Michael Milne and Ben O’Connor scored tries against Glasgow; JJ Hanrahan scored ten points.

Vodacom Bulls: Reinhardt Ludwig scored two tries at Zebre, while Curwin Bosch kicked eight points.

Vodacom Bulls
Starting XV:
15. Hakeem Kunene, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Stravino Jacobs, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Zak Burger, 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. Sti Sithole, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. JF van Heerden, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Paul de Wet, 22. Cheswill Jooste, 23. Willie le Roux.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Seán O’Brien, Dan Kelly, Shay McCarthy; Charlie O’Shea, Craig Casey (C); Michael Milne, Marnus van der Merwe, Jack Aungier; Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley; Seán Edogbo, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Kieran Brookes, Jeremy Loughman, Ronan Foxe, Evan O’Connell, Gavin Coombes, Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Alex Kendellen.

Match officials

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, 23rd game)

AR1: Andrew Cole (IRFU)

AR2: Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)

TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)