The Vodacom United Rugby Championship is back for its fifth year, and rugby fans are in for a treat this weekend. Four South African teams are preparing for tough matches across the globe, even without some of their star Springbok players.
The action starts on Friday with two crucial matches, followed by Saturday’s double-header.
The DHL Stormers will welcome Ireland’s Leinster to Cape Town on Friday evening. The defending champions face a tough task at DHL Stadium, where the Stormers have been nearly unbeatable.
Since April 2024, the Cape Town side has lost just once at home – and that was by a single point to the Bulls. Irish teams have struggled in Cape Town, with only Munster managing to beat the Stormers twice at home.
The two teams have met four times before, with Leinster’s only victory coming in Dublin earlier this year with a convincing 36-12 win.
Meanwhile, the Hollywoodbets Sharks face a difficult trip to Glasgow to take on the Warriors. The Scottish side has been dominant at home, losing only two of their last 20 matches at Scotstoun Stadium.
The Sharks have shown good form away from home recently, winning four of their last six away games in the championship. However, their only defeat to a Scottish team since March 2022 came against these same Warriors in April.
The Vodacom Bulls welcome Welsh side Ospreys to Pretoria on Saturday afternoon. Under new coach Johan Ackermann, the Bulls haven’t lost to Welsh opposition at Loftus Versfeld and have won their last six home games.
The Ospreys struggled on the road last season, managing just one away victory. Their only win in South Africa since 2019 came against the Stormers in Cape Town earlier this year.
The Lions travel to Cardiff for Saturday evening’s final match. Cardiff has been strong at home recently, losing just once in their last six games at the Arms Park.
However, Cardiff’s only victory over a South African team last season came against the Lions in March – the first time they had beaten the Johannesburg side in four attempts.
The Stormers have made impressive signings, bringing in Springboks Cobus Reinach and Ntuthuko Mchunu. Former Blitzbok speedster Sako Makata adds pace to their backline.
Several Junior Springboks have also joined the wider squad, including lock Riley Norton and prop Oliver Reid.
The Sharks have bolstered their ranks with Springbok lock Marvin Orie and wing Edwill van der Merwe. They’ve also included several promising Junior Springboks in their squad.
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Three former players have returned to Pretoria. Whilst Springbok fly-half Handré Pollard isn’t yet available, centre Jan Serfontein and lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg are ready for selection.
Former Blitzbok Angelo Davids and speedster Eduan Keyter have joined the Lions, along with experienced fly-half Chris Smith, though he’s currently injured.
This season brings important changes to make the game safer and more exciting. The championship will trial the 20-minute red card rule, designed to protect players whilst keeping matches competitive.
New technology will help referees make better decisions faster. An independent Television Match Official system, powered by Hawk-Eye technology, will give officials access to every camera angle in real-time.
The championship’s popularity continues to grow. Last season saw record-breaking attendance figures with 1.8 million fans watching live – a 9% increase from the previous year. Television audiences also hit new heights with 53 million viewers worldwide.
This weekend’s fixtures
Friday, 26 September:
DHL Stormers v Leinster
DHL Stadium, Cape Town – 19:00
- Glasgow Warriors v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – 21:05
Saturday, 27 September:
Vodacom Bulls v Ospreys
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 14:00
- Cardiff v Lions
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – 20:45
Referee: Fillipo Russo
All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
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