Bulls vs Northampton Prediction: Saints can run Bulls close

Having breezed past Castres in their opening game of the European Champions Cup, Northampton Saints next head to Pretoria for a big test against the Bulls on Saturday afternoon (13:00, Premier Sports 2).

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Bulls vs Northampton prediction piece, as well as all the important team news and match odds.

Team News

Starting with the Bulls, a front row of Gerhard Steenkamp, Akker Van der Merwe and Wilco Louw will be supported by locks Ruan Vermaak and JF Van Heerden in the engine room.

Behind a back row of Marcell Coetzee, skipper Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom, half-backs Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen will orchestrate the backline.

The Bulls are unchanged in the back division from last week’s trip to Saracens, with David Kriel and Canan Moodie in the centres and a back three of Devon Williams, Sebastian de Klerk and Wille le Roux.

Rugby Union Odds

As for Northampton, they make three changes from the side that beat Castres 38-8, with skipper George Furbank returning after a week off to start at full-back.

Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme complete the back three, with Fraser Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson in the centres, while it’s the England pair of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith in the half-backs.

Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Elliot Millar Mills form the front row, with Temo Mayanavanua, Tom Lockett, Alex Coles, Henry Pollack and Juarno Augustus completing the pack.

Bulls vs Northampton Odds

The Bulls are the 2/9 favourites to come out on top at Loftus Versfeld, while Northampton Saints are 7/2, or a 22.2% chance, to head back to England with the victory.

A draw in Pretoria is currently available at odds of 25/1.

Northampton +9 handicap @ 11/10

With few changes from the side that suffered a 27-5 defeat at Saracens in their opening Champions Cup game, coach Jake White has kept the faith with many of his players to respond this weekend.

The Bulls are admittedly a different beast at home and the altitude at Loftus Versfeld will also play in their favour.

Winning eight of their last nine United Rugby Championship games on home soil, the Bulls will be tough to stop on Saturday.

However, Northampton have a side packed with international talent, especially in this exciting back division which can be regarded as one of the best in club rugby.

The return of Furbank is a massive boost, while this is a great opportunity for fly-half Smith to take his claim for the England No.10 jersey ahead of the 2025 Six Nations.

A win in Pretoria might be a push for this Northampton side but with a +9 handicap the Saints, who beat the Bulls 59-22 at Franklin’s Gardens in the Champions Cup quarter-finals last season, look attractive at odds of 21/20.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.