Zebre Parma v Bulls tips: Zebre can stay inside the handicap
Zebre +10.5 @1.84 at Betway is our pick. They drew 21-21 with Benetton in pre-season, while the Bulls begin their European trip after limited warm-up time and with Springbok commitments affecting their squad.
Key takeaways
- Our pick: Zebre +10.5 @1.84.
- Preparation: Zebre drew with Benetton; the Bulls beat the Stormers in a warm-up.
- Kick-off: Saturday, 26 September 2026, 18:30 SAST, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Zebre Parma v Bulls betting table
| Selection | Market | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zebre +10.5 | Handicap | @1.84 | Betway |
Betway SA odds: 22 September 2026, 22:47-22:54 SAST.
Zebre have a useful recent benchmark
The 21-21 draw with Benetton on 4 September gives Zebre something firmer than a hopeful underdog argument. They stayed level with established URC opposition and scored enough to avoid relying on a low-scoring game.
The Bulls are a different test, but Zebre are at home in Parma. A ten-and-a-half-point start allows for an away win without requiring Zebre to produce an upset.
Benetton’s next warm-up brought a 36-14 victory over Black Lion. That does not make the Zebre draw more than a friendly, but it provides some context for a respectable result.
Ackermann has been trying new combinations
Johan Ackermann has tried Stravino Jacobs at centre and Ruben Groenewald at fly-half during the Bulls’ preparation. Both experiments point to a backline still working through its combinations before the trip to Parma.
The Bulls have also used Juan Else at hooker and added several newcomers, including Thaakir Abrahams, Curwin Bosch and Hanro Liebenberg. That is a sizeable amount of integration before the first league game.
Their warm-up win over the Stormers is the main warning against the Zebre bet. The Bulls have already shown they can win while trying combinations, and we still favour them to take the match.
Limited preparation and Springbok absences make a double-figure away margin a harder proposition than the outright win. Zebre’s draw with Benetton gives us enough reason to take the points.
Verdict
Back Zebre +10.5 @1.84 at Betway. The Bulls should be the stronger side, but their changing combinations and Zebre’s competitive Benetton performance favour the home handicap.