South African quartet ready for new URC season

Photo credit: Vodacom Bulls

The Vodacom United Rugby Championship returns this weekend, with South Africa’s four franchises beginning another campaign that will ultimately lead to the Grand Final on 19 June 2027.

The DHL Stormers, 10bet Lions, Hollywoodbets Sharks and Vodacom Bulls all begin their seasons with different ambitions, but the objective is the same: build early momentum and establish themselves among the teams chasing the playoffs.

The Stormers are first up, travelling to Galway on Friday evening to face Connacht.

John Dobson’s side won the inaugural URC title in 2022 and have enjoyed the better of recent meetings with Connacht, winning four of their last five encounters. The Irish side, however, won the most recent meeting in Cape Town last season and will provide a demanding opening test on home soil.

Connacht have won their last five matches at home, although the Stormers can take confidence from their previous visit to Galway, where they secured a 16 12 victory in May 2024.

For the Cape side, improving their recent record in Ireland will be another challenge. They have won only one of their last five matches in the country.

Lions face champions

The Lions could hardly have been handed a more demanding opening fixture.

After reaching the URC playoffs for the first time last season, Ivan van Rooyen’s side begin their campaign at 10bet Ellis Park against Leinster, the two time defending champions.

The Irish giants eliminated the Lions in the quarter finals in 2025, adding another layer to Saturday’s contest.

Leinster have not always enjoyed their trips to South Africa, however. They have won only once in their last eight matches in the country, against the Sharks in March 2025.

The Lions also have a positive recent memory of this fixture, having beaten Leinster 44 12 in Johannesburg in April 2024.

Sharks look to rebuild

In Durban, the Sharks will begin life under head coach JP Pietersen against the Ospreys, the reigning Welsh Shield winners.

Both teams missed the playoffs last season, with the Sharks finishing 10th despite ending the campaign with consecutive victories.

Home advantage could prove important. The Sharks have lost only once in their last eight URC matches at Kings Park, while the Ospreys have lost their last five matches in South Africa.

The Sharks have also won the last four meetings between the sides, including a 29 10 victory in May 2025.

Bulls begin in Italy

The Vodacom Bulls travel to Parma to face Zebre in the final match involving a South African team in the opening round.

Johann Ackermann’s side finished runners up in the URC in each of the last two seasons and will be determined to avoid an early setback as they begin another push towards the Grand Final.

The Bulls have never lost to Zebre and recorded a 54 29 victory in Italy in November 2023.

They also have a strong record at the start of the season, having won their opening URC fixture in each of the last four campaigns. The Pretoria side have lost only once in their last five visits to Italy.

Zebre, though, will not be taken lightly. They opened last season with consecutive victories and will look to make home advantage count.

With the Springboks also in action against Australia in Perth on Sunday, it promises to be a busy weekend for South African rugby.

For the four URC franchises, however, the focus comes first on the domestic challenge. The opening round offers an early opportunity to establish momentum, test new combinations and begin the long road towards June's Grand Final.

Opening round fixtures

Connacht v DHL Stormers
Friday, 25 September
Dexcom Stadium, Galway
20:45 SA time

10bet Lions v Leinster
Saturday, 26 September
10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
13:30 SA time

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Ospreys
Saturday, 26 September
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
16:00 SA time

Zebre Parma v Vodacom Bulls
Saturday, 26 September
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
18:30 SA time