Get to know the South African URC teams

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions will again gear up and battle the North for the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship title.

Here is a look at the South African teams for this season.

Stormers

Title winners in their first season in the URC, losing finalists in their second, the Cape Town collective are likely to be major forces in the competition once again, with Springbok fullback Warrick Gelant a man to watch following his return from Racing 92.

Home ground: Cape Town Stadium

Last season: Runners-up (3rd in table)

Coach: John Dobson

Star turn:
Manie Libbok – The leading points scorer in the URC by a country mile last season, with 217 compared to his closest rival on 139. Now, the gifted flyhalf is just two games away from World Cup glory.

Rising talent:
Hacjivah Dayimani – His surname means “diamond” in Xhosa and this No.8 is certainly a jewel in the Stormers’ crown, with pace that wouldn’t go amiss on the wing.

Players in:
Warrick Gelant (Racing 92)
Sti Sithole (Lions)
Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)
Ben Loader (London Irish)
Courtnall Skosan (Northampton)
Hendre Stassen (unattached)

Players out:
Steven Kitshoff (Ulster)
Marvin Orie (Perpignan)
Ernst van Rhyn (Sale)
Kade Wolhuter (Lions – loan)

Lions

The Johannesburg-based unit played some really entertaining rugby last season and only narrowly missed out on the playoffs. They have a spicy opening fixture, as they play hosts to the Stormers this weekend.

Home ground: Ellis Park

Last season: Ninth

Coach: Ivan van Rooyen

Star turn:
Edwill van der Merwe – The former Stormers wing beat no fewer than 37 defenders in the league last season, while he also produced a remarkable try-saving tackle against Stade Francais in Europe.

Rising talent:
Henco van Wyk – The Junior Springbok player of the year in 2021, this 22-year-old centre is just going from strength to strength. Scores tries and stops tries – not a bad combination!

Players in:
Erich Cronjé (Zebre)
Zander du Plessis (Griquas)
Richard Kriel (Zebre)
Conraad van Vuuren (Cheetahs)
Kade Wolhuter (Stormers – loan)
Johan Mulder

Players out:
Sti Sithole (Stormers)
Pieter Jansen van Vuren (Biarritz)
Michael van Vuuren (Newcastle)
André Warner (Agen)
Jaco Kriel (retired)
Jannie du Plessis (retired)

Sharks

A new title sponsor and a new head coach in the vastly experienced Kiwi John Plumtree who is back with the team he starred for as a player and coached more than a decade ago.

Home ground: Kings Park

Last season: Quarterfinalists (eight in table)

Coach: John Plumtree

Star turn:
Eben Etzebeth – One of the true greats of the modern game, as he demonstrated yet again during the Springboks’ World Cup quarterfinal victory over France. Will bring a real physical edge to the Durban outfit who he joined from Toulon last year.

Rising talent:
Aphelele Fassi – A quick and agile winger with a silky skill-set. Re-signed for the Sharks earlier this year to end the speculation he was moving to the Stormers.

Players in:
Vincent Koch (Stade Français)
Coenie Oosthuizen (Sale Sharks)
Francois Hougaard (Saracens)
Siya Masuku (Cheetahs)
Diego Appollis (Pumas)
George Cronjé (Cheetahs)
Ig Prinsloo (Pumas)

Players out:
Siya Kolisi (Racing 92)
Thomas du Toit (Bath)
Thaakir Abrahams (Lyon)
Carlü Sadie (Bordeaux)
Henco Venter (Glasgow)
Khutha Mchunu (Bulls)
Ben Tapuai (Bordeaux)
Thembelani Bholi (Valence)
Mpilo Gumede (Bulls)
Fred Zeilinga (Bourg-en-Bresse)
Ockie Barnard (Saitama Wild Knights)

Bulls

The Pretoria-based Bulls have been very busy, with Willie Le Roux, Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw notable signings, while former Springbok assistant Gary Gold is among the additions on the coaching front. It looks like the mean business.

Home ground: Loftus Versfeld

Last season: Quarterfinalists (sixth in table)

Coach: Jake White

Star turn:
Kurt–Lee Arendse – Quick, elusive and knows his way to the try-line. With fellow Springbok wing Canan Moodie also on their books, the Bulls have some serious fire power out wide.

Rising talent:
Elrigh Louw – The 24-year-old back row made the second most carries in the league last season. A real physical presence at 6ft 5ins and 17st 6lbs.

Players in:
Willie Le Roux (Toyota Verblitz)
Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh)
Devon Williams (Pumas)
Henry Immelman (Edinburgh)
Sebastian de Klerk (Pumas)
Sergeal Petersen (Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks)
Akker van der Merwe (Sale)
Jannes Kirsten (Exeter)
Devon Williams (Pumas)
Khutha Mchunu (Sharks)
Deon Slabbert (Pumas)
Mpilo Gumede (Sharks)

Players out:
Lizo Gqoboka (Stormers)
Sbu Nkosi (released)
Morné Steyn (retired)
Bismarck du Plessis (retired)