Ulster welcome the South African side to Belfast, hoping to win a second BKT URC match in a row, after the opening Round 1 win against Zebre Parma at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Dan McFarland's side will begin a new chapter in Kingspan Stadium's history, as the fixture will mark the first time the team play on the newly installed 3G pitch, which was completed in time for the new season.
Fans can look back at the pitch development and the potential benefits of the surface here.
Both sides go into the match feeling confident, as the Vodacom Bulls sit atop of the early BKT URC standings, after their impressive 63-21 home win over Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld.
Cameron Hanekom and Stedman Gans both scored a brace of tries as the Bulls ran in nine tries, with fly-half Johan Goosen converting them all for a personal haul of 18 points.
With a host of top international players such as Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Willie Le Roux set to contest the Rugby World Cup Final this Saturday, the Bulls will aim to make it a historic weekend to remember for South Africa.
Match Details
📅 Sunday 29th October
⏰ 5pm
🏟️ Kingspan Stadium
📺 BBC NI, Viaplay, TG4
Got your ticket yet?
Be there for the first home match of the season, as Ulster welcome the Bulls to Belfast.
With halloween celebrations in full flow, make sure you grab your tickets and roar the Ulstermen on!
Last Time Out
Ulster 32-23 Vodacom Bulls
Ulster's home win against the Bulls back in March meant the province became the first BKT URC team to defeat all four South African teams. That night, Ulster took an early lead through a trademark finish from Rob Baloucoune on the wing, however the province went into half-time eight points behind the Bulls, after South Africa international Kurt-Lee Arendse and Zak Burger's converted tries gave them a lead in the contest.
The night will be remembered for Ulster's try scoring machine, Tom Stewart, getting Ulster back into the lead with a hat trick of tries on the night.
You can read the full report form that match here.
Players to watch
Welcome back, old friend. Bulls captain and talisman is very well known to Ulster fans, with Marcell Coetzee returning to Belfast for the first time after a five year spell between 2016 and 2021.
Coetzee was a fan favourite and left the team as the league's top try scorer in his last two seasons and also won the Guinness PRO14 Player's Player of the Year award in 2020/21.
The fearless flanker needs no introduction to the home supporters and will hoping to showcase his knack of try-scoring in big games this Sunday.
His co-captain, lock Ruan Nortje, is another big presence in the side, with the big second rower providing an excellent weapon for the Bulls at lineouts and set pieces. The lock scored the club's opening try of the season in the Scarlets demolition. The 25 year- old was also named the Bulls' BKT URC Player of the Year last season for his efforts across the campaign.
Did you know?
- Ulster Rugby’s only loss in their last seven BKT United Rugby Championship matches was 10-15 at home to Connacht in last season's quarter final.
- The Ulstermen have not lost successive Championship games at Kingspan Stadium since 2010.
- The Ulstermen have won all four fixtures they played against South African opponents last season whilst their most recent such defeat was to the Stormers in Cape Town in the 2022 semi-final.
- Vodacom Bulls only loss in their last four Vodacom United Rugby Championship matches was in last seasons quarter final away to the Stormers.
- Bulls have won only once away from home in the Championship in the past twelve months, beating Dragons 29- 14 in Newport in January.
- Bulls have played five previous United Rugby Championship matches away at an Irish province with their only victory so far being 27-26 over Leinster at the RDS Arena in the 2022 semi-final.
- The two sides have met just twice before with the home side triumphant on each occasion.