URC, Round 12 - Saturday's Teams and Predictions
SATURDAY PREVIEW: Brace for peak physicality and raw intensity as South Africa’s franchises collide in a blockbuster United Rugby Championship derby double-header on Saturday.
The URC run-in has arrived, and for the local sides, every fixture now carries double meaning. It’s no longer simply about squeezing into the Top Eight; it’s about derbies that reshape the SA Shield race, bonus points that could define seasons, and head-to-head clashes that can flip momentum in a single afternoon.
The Lions head into the weekend seventh on the table, while the Sharks sit tenth and chasing. The Bulls occupy eighth spot with five wins and five defeats, 25 log points, leaving them 11 shy of the top four, albeit with a game in hand on several play-off rivals. The margin for error has all but disappeared.
A victory for the Sharks over the Bulls would be massive, morally and strategically. It would halt the Bulls’ push, keep the Durban side firmly in the Top Eight conversation, and tighten the SA Shield race.
The Sharks have their inspirational captain, Andre Esterhuizen, back to lead them while head coach JP Pietersen also welcomed back Springboks Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jordan Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi, and Esterhuizen to the starting line-up.
Head coach JP Pietersen was not happy with the high error rate against the Lions.
“What we identified after the Lions game was that there were 22 unforced errors,” Pietersen said. “We were sloppy. We didn’t win the territory battle and only had 39 percent of the territory.
“Unfortunately, there were a lot of turnovers and knock-ons. This was an occasion where one plus one equals two — we can eliminate the opposition entries into our area if we are better at limiting turnovers and better in our overall execution.”
For the Bulls, however, a win would not only steady their own play-off ambitions but potentially assist the Stormers in the broader Shield calculus, while also keeping pressure on the Lions in the seeding battle.
The Bulls’ last URC outing was a commanding 52-17 victory over the Lions in Johannesburg at the end of January. Yet their derby record this season has been mixed, with earlier defeats to the Lions at home and away losses to both the Sharks and Stormers.
The Bulls’ Springbok Canan Moodie is back and will partner in midfield with Harold Vorster.
They have an exciting back three in David Kriel, who moves from the bench to take over the fullback jersey from Devon Williams, while Sebastian de Klerk and Kurt-Lee Arendse are the new-look wing pairing.
In the SA Shield standings, the Sharks lead on 16 points, the Lions are close behind on 15, the Stormers have 9, and the Bulls trail on 7, leaving everything to play for domestically.
Last weekend, the Lions defeated the Sharks 34-22 in Johannesburg, a result that knocked the Durbanites out of the play-off places.
That followed the Sharks’ impressive back-to-back bonus-point wins over the Stormers, ending their rivals’ unbeaten run with victories in Cape Town and Durban. Their other derby results this season include a win over the Bulls and a narrow loss to the Lions.
At Ellis Park, expect urgency from the Lions, who could benefit from having played the only URC fixture last weekend. The Stormers, meanwhile, return to action determined to rediscover the accuracy and balance that had them setting the pace earlier in the campaign before successive defeats to the Sharks halted their momentum.
For the Lions, Junior Springbok Batho Hlekani enters the frame in the place of Springbok Ruan Venter, who misses out due to a head injury suffered against the Durbanites last weekend.
The Graeme College old boy features in a formidable back row consisting of skipper Francke Horn and last week’s debutant Siba Mahashe.
The team will be without Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Haashim Pead.
Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys is expecting a real battle royale up front.
“At the set-piece, there were a few things against the Sharks that we weren’t happy with. We scored a maul try, but then we conceded two maul tries, and at the scrum, we conceded too many penalties.
“Looking forward to the scrum battle. You want to test yourself against the best guys and obviously playing the SA teams, who have the strongest packs in the competition. Great to have that challenge.”
The Stormers have a new captain in JD Schickerling, who takes over from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. He is joined in the second row by Adré Smith, while the loose trio of Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon and Evan Roos play their sixth match together.
Connor Evans, Marcel Theunissen, and new recruit Hacjivah Dayimani are all set to make an impact in the second half.
Beyond South Africa’s borders, Sharks supporters will also have one eye on events in Wales, where the Ospreys host Ulster. The Welsh side sit just one place and one point ahead of the Durbanites in ninth. A favour from Ulster could significantly aid the Sharks’ play-off hopes — though history suggests it won’t be straightforward.
As the race tightens and the Shield battle intensifies, Saturday’s derbies are about far more than bragging rights. They are about survival, seeding, and setting the tone for the final stretch of a season that is hurtling toward its defining weeks.
See below for Friday’s team and predictions!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Lions v Stormers
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 14.30; 12.30 GMT)
Prediction:
@rugby365: Stormers by five points
Teams:
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Erich Cronjé
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling (captain), 4 Adré Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Marcel Theunissen, Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurie Matthee
Referee: Christopher Allison (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa) & Stephen Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Bulls v Sharks
(Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 17.00; 15.00 GMT)
Prediction:
@rugby365: Bulls by seven points
Teams:
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Elrich Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Morne Smith, 2 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Willie le Roux, 23 Stravino Jacobs
Sharks: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikste, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, Yaw Penxe
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa) & Jonathan Lottering (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Connacht v Glasgow Warriors
(Dexcom Stadium, Galway – Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00 GMT)
Prediction:
@rugby365: Glasgow Warriors by 10 points
Teams:
Connacht: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Shane Jennings, 13 Harry West, 12 Cathal Forde, 11 Finn Treacy, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Sean Jansen, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Paul Boyle (c), 5 Joe Joyce, 4 David O’Connor, 3 Sam Illo, 2 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 1 Denis Buckley
Replacements: 16 Matthew Victory, 17 Billy Bohan, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Josh Murphy, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Colm Reilly, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Bundee Aki
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Stafford McDowall (c), 12 Kerr Yule, 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 Ben Afshar, 8 Ally Miller, 7 Angus Fraser, 6 Euan Ferrie, 5 Jare Oguntibeju, 4 Alex Samuel, 3 Murphy Walker, 2 Seb Stephen, 1 Jamie Bhatti
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Patrick Schickerling, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Macenzzie Duncan, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Jack Oliver, 23 Adam Hastings
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant referees: Keane Davison (Ireland) & Chris Lough (Ireland)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
Munster v Zebre Parma
(Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 17.30; 18.30 Italy time; 17.30 GMT)
Prediction:
@rugby365: Munster by 16 points
Teams:
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Shane Daly, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Paddy Patterson, 8 Brian Gleeson, 7 Jack O’Donoghue (c), 6 Gavin Coombes, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Michael Milne
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Ethan Coughlan, 22 Tom Wood, 23 Seán O’Brien
Zebre Parma: TBC
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland) & Max Weston (Ireland)
TMO: Colin Brett (Scotland)
Dragons v Benetton
(Rodney Parade, Newport – Kick-off: 17.30; 18.30 Italy, 17.30 GMT)
Prediction:
@rugby365:Benetton by seven points
Teams:
Dragons: 15 Angus O’Brien (c), 14 David Richards, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Che Hope, 8 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 7 Harry Beddall, 6 Ryan Woodman, 5 Seb Davies, 4 Levi Douglas, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 1 Rodrigo Martinez
Replacements: 16 Oli Burrows, 17 Jordan Morris, 18 Owain James, 19 Barny Langton-Cryer, 20 Evan Minto, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Fetuli Paea, 23 Cai Evans
Benetton: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Onisi Ratave, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Rhyno Smith, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren (c), 8 Riccardo Favretto, 7 Jadin Kingi, 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Giulio Marini, 3 Giosué Zilocchi, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Destiny Aminu, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Nelson Casartelli, 21 Cristiano Tizzano, 22 Filippo Drago, 23 Ignacio Mendy
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales) & Marcus Caudle (Wales)
TMO: Paul Haycock (Ireland)
Ospreys v Ulster
(Electric Brewery Field, Bridgend – Kick-off: 19.45; 19.45 GMT)
Prediction:
@rugby365: Ulster by five points
Teams:
Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Jack Walsh (cc), 9 Cormac Foley, 8 Morgan Morse, 7 Ross Moriarty, 6 James Ratti, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 James Fender, 3 Rhys Henry, 2 Sam Parry (cc), 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Lewis Lloyd, 17 Steffan Thomas, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Huw Sutton, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Luke Scully, 23 Evardi Boshoff
Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Werner Kok, 13 James Hume, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Bryn Ward, 7 David McCann, 6 Matthew Dalton, 5 Charlie Irvine, 4 Iain Henderson (c), 3 Scott Wilson, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Eric O’Sullivan
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Bryan O’Connor, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Marcus Rea, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Ben Carson
Referee: Fillipo Russo (Italy)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales) & Keith David (Wales)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)
