URC, ROUND 11 - teams and predictions
SATURDAY & SUNDAY PREVIEW: This weekend the United Rugby Championship is in full swing, with some action-packed matches as the Six Nations enjoy a bye-week.
The Round 11 action marks the start of two Origin Rounds where the players will celebrate their rugby roots by wearing their school or club socks.
In South Africa, two gripping derbies grab the attention of the nation. These games are crucial in the race for the South African Shield.
The 13th-placed Lions will host the 10th-placed Stormers in Johannesburg in the first match-up, with SA Shield holders, the Bulls, hosting the Sharks across the Jukskei River in Pretoria shortly after.
These matches will mark the second time the teams line up against one another since December – albeit at different venues – when the Capetonians and Durbanites emerged victorious at home.
In Europe, there are four fixtures and each one counts.
The Italians Benetton host the Irish Ulster, who are just outside the play-off zone in the ninth place; Munster take on Scarlets in a mid-table battle, while fifth-placed Connacht face Cardiff.
On Sunday, Franco Smith’s Glasgow Warriors head to Wales to take on the bottom-of-the-table Dragons.
View this post on Instagram
The battle between the Bulls and Sharks at Loftus Versfeld is set to be absorbing given the high stakes for both teams in the match.
The Durbanites, currently fourth on the URC log, trail the men in blue by only six log points, meaning a victory would give them a handy boost to reduce the deficit between themselves and the top three teams on the table.
Spicing up the clash, the KwaZulu-Natalians – whose last URC victory in Pretoria was three years ago in 2022 – snatched a late 20-17 win in their last outing in December, which will lift their confidence going into the clash.
The Sharks are missing a chunk of their Springboks, however, they still managed to field a potent team which includes two-time World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am and Bongi Mbonambi.
“The quality we’ve got [in the starting XV] and on the bench are guys who can influence the game,” Sharks assistant coach Dave Williams said.
“Any opposition we play we look at the key pressure points and the scrum is one the Bulls use well.
“But for us, it’s about that complete performance in all formats of the game. We’re looking to control certain moments and get an advantage in other areas of the game.”
Williams revealed that the extra time has rejuvenated the Sharks team.
“For any coaching staff or playing group, when you get some time away to connect with your family, it brings a lot of energy when you do come back,” Williams stated.
“And around an SA derby, it just adds a greater intensity and focus to the week.”
At the back of their first URC win against Stormers at Cape Town Stadium, the Bulls would be eager to avenge their defeat the last time two teams met at Kings Park.
In that match, the Bulls had a 17-10 lead after 50 minutes, but imploded and eventually recorded a 17-20 defeat at Kings Park.
“That December loss hurt us quite a bit,” Bulls wing Canan Moodie said.
“We obviously went there to try to get a win, and we let it slip. We all remember that.”
The Bok said the hurt of the defeat will serve as extra motivation.
“We feel like we owe them one, and what better place to do it than Loftus. Every time they’ve come here [in the recent past], we’ve got a good win. So, we need to keep that hurt from December and just make sure we don’t let it slip this time.”
Moodie added: “You want to make use of your home games, so it’s very important for us to get it right this weekend.
“We played well in Cape Town this past weekend and got five points, which helped us a lot in the SA Shield. All these SA derby matches are very important.”
*Article continues below…
In Johannesburg, the Lions will be desperate to bounce back from four successive defeats in the competition.
The Lions made a strong start, winning four games in a row.
However, they have been struggling, nonetheless, a victory over the Stormers will certainly put their campaign back on track, especially with two games in hand.
Lions captain Francke Horn, who recently extended his stay at the franchise, is confident his team can still reach their goal of making the top four, starting this weekend.
“We played two games less and if you look at the log it is quite close – most teams are just within five points of each other,” Horn said, adding: “So I do think top four is reachable.
“However, the next four weeks are going to be crucial in terms of winning SA Derbies and we can’t hide.
“We know it comes with a certain physicality and at the weekend [ the Bulls’ narrow 33-32 win over Stormers in Cape Town] showed that it is always close.
“We have to get our processes right and have to get the result.”
The Stormers are in a predicament of their own. After back-to-back defeats against Leinster and the Bulls – the latter a heart-breaking one-point defeat in Cape Town in their postponed round one fixture last week, they can’t afford another defeat.
The Capetonians will have confidence after the last time the teams met where the Cape outfit registered a convincing 29-10 home victory against their Johannesburg counterparts.
The Stormers have won the last six encounters between the two sides and have also been more effective on attack and defence this season, having scored 59 more points in their 10 matches to eight by the hosts, while they have conceded 71 points fewer.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson did not downplay the magnitude of the challenge.
“We have opted for continuity this weekend and hopefully that will see us improve our performance,” Dobson said.
“We will need to be at our best as it is always tough to win up on the highveld, especially with an afternoon kick-off.”
*Match details and predictions below…
United Rugby Championship
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Lions v Stormers
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 14.30; 12.30 GMT)
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Prediction:
@rugby365: Stormers by five points
Teams:
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Manuel Rass
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Jonathan Roche.
Referee: Griffin Colby (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Hanru Van Rooyen (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
Bulls v Sharks
(Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 17.00; 15.00 GMT)
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Prediction:
@rugby365: Bulls by four points
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Willie le Roux, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (Captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Aphiwe Dyantyi
Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Jaco Williams
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa) & Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Benetton v Ulster
(Stadio Monigo, Treviso – Kick-off: 18.15; 17.15 GMT; 17.15 IRE & UK time)
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Prediction:
@rugby365: Ulster by three points
Teams:
Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Matt Gallagher, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman (captain), 4 Giulio Marini, 3 Giosué Zilocchi, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Jadin Kingi, 21 Simon Koroiyadi, 22 Nicolò Casilio, 23 Leonardo Marin
Ulster: 15 Stewart Moore, 14 Michael Lowry, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 David McCann, 7 Nick Timoney (captain), 6 Matty Rea, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Jacob Boyd.
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Bryn O’Connor, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Reuben Crothers, 21 Dave Shanahan, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Jude Postlethwaite
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Alex Frasson (Italy) & Derio Merli (Italy)
TMO: Keith David (Wales)
Munster v Scarlets
(Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 17.15; 17.15 GMT)
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Prediction:
@rugby365: Munster by five points
Teams:
Munster: 15 Ben O’Connor, 14 Shane Daly, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Dairmuid Kilgallen, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Ethan Coughlan, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Jack O’Donoghue (captain), 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Tom Ahem, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Josh Wycherley.
Replacements: 16 Danny Sheahan, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 John Ryan, 19 Evan O’Connell, 20 Brian Gleeson, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Tony Butler, 23 Shay McCarthy.
Scarlets: 15 Ioan Nicholas, 14 Ellis , 13 Joe Roberts , 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Max Douglas, 3 Archer Holz, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Alex Hepburn, 18 Sam Wainwright 19 Alex Craig, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 22 Charlie Titcombe, 23 Macs Page
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Assistant referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland) & Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)
Connacht v Cardiff
(The Sportsground, Galway – Kick-off: 19.35; 19.35 GMT)
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Prediction:
@rugby365: Cardiff by 10 points
Connacht: 15 Piers O’Conor, 14 Shayne Bolton, 13 Hugh Gavin, 12 Cathal Forde, 11 Chay Mullins, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Ben Murphy, 8 Paul Boyle, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Josh Murphy, 3 Jack Aungier, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Peter Dooley.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Sam Illo, 19 Oisín Dowling, 20 Sean Jansen, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Santiago Cordero
Cardiff:15 Cam Winnett, 14 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Harri Millard, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Alun Lawrence, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Seb Davies, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Rhys Litterick, 2 Liam Belcher (captain), 1 Rhys Barratt
Replacements:16 Efan Daniel, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Will Davies-King, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Ben Donnell, 21 Thomas Young, 22 Callum Braley, 23 Jacob Beetham
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Keane Davison (Ireland) & Tomas O’Sullivan (Ireland)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Dragons RFC v Glasgow Warriors
(Rodney Parade, Newport – Kick-off: 14.00; 14.00 GMT)
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Prediction:
@rugby365: Glasgow Warriors by 20 points
Teams:
Dragons: 15 Huw Anderson, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Harry Wilson, 12 Aneurin Owen (captain), 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Lloyd Evans, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 7 George Young, 6 Ryan Woodman, 5 George Nott, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 James Benjamin, 1 Josh Reynolds
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Barny Langton-Cryer, 20 Evan Minto, 21 Che Hope, 22 Will Reed, 23 Scott Williams
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Duncan Munn, 11 Facundo Cordero, 10 Duncan Weir (captain), 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Mann, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Euan Ferrie, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Jare Oguntibeju, 3 Fin Richardson, 2 Grant Stewart, 1 Jamie Bhatti
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Patrick Schickerling, 19 Ally Miller, 20 Angus Fraser, 21 Macenzzie Duncan, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Kerr Johnston
Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales) & Matthew Leon (Wales)
TMO: Mark Patton (Ireland)
*Additional Source: SA Rugby
News, stats, live rugby and more! Download the new RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!
