URC, Round 13 - Saturday & Sunday's Teams and Predictions
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: The race to the eight is on, and winning is non-negotiable for plenty of teams, whilst others are aiming to secure home play-off spots.
The Lions, Stormers and Sharks all have favourable draws to finish in the top eight, with each team playing at home four times in their upcoming six games in the round-robin stage, with their home runs starting this weekend.
Also read: Is a historic SA play-off sweep on the cards in the URC?
The Lions will kick off Saturday’s action at Ellis Park against Sean Everitt’s Edinburgh as they’re hoping to build on their win over the Stormers a fortnight ago.
Currently in seventh position, the Lions will want to use the home-field advantage to surge up the United Rugby Championship table and make a maiden play-off in the tournament after falling agonisingly short in previous seasons.
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen highlighted the importance of the run of four consecutive home matches before they’ll travel to face Munster and Leinster in Ireland.
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“Ideally, we’d love to do the majority of the business before we head to Ireland.
“In saying that, the Bulls showed you can beat Munster [and Leinster] away, but you don’t want to place yourself in that situation to go there needing six or eight points [to make the play-offs].
“The four home games are important for us to put us in a position where we don’t need to perform miracles or pull a rabbit out of the hat [in Ireland].
“We also can’t get carried away in chasing an x amount of points – the focus for us is on Edinburgh, for us to start well and get this fixture over before focussing on the next [fixture].”
In Durban, the Sharks host Munster in a must-win clash if they are to have any chance of making the knockout stage of the tournament.
Also read: Winkgate returns: Will Munster seek revenge in Durban showdown?
Sharks head coach JP Pietersen made a host of changes, including at fullback, where BlitzBok rookie Luan Giliomee will debut and replace Junior Bok Jaco Williams.
Pietersen explained his reasoning for backing the youngster and what he expects from him.
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“We have several injuries in the backline, and Jaco [Williams] played a lot at fullback.
“Against the Bulls, he suffered a hamstring injury.
“Luan, since he’s arrived at the Sharks… he’s a talented kid. It’s a great opportunity for him to showcase what he’s got.
“Obviously, he did well with the BlitzBoks, and he’s still in the SA Under-20 mix.
“It’s a great opportunity for him on Saturday again Munster, and it’s good that we can look towards the future to see how he will go, and I’m sure he’ll do a great job come Saturday.”
Pietersen highlighted his versatility as well.
“He can play scrumhalf, flyhalf and fullback and has great vision.
“He understands the game well and grew up in a rugby family. He’s good under the high ball as well.
“He sees the game differently and got a good kicking game to boot.
“I’m excited to see what he can showcase, and hopefully he can pick up a few good touches.”
Pietersen steered clear of discussions about making the play-offs, saying they should focus on their upcoming home matches first and take it one step at a time.
“We’ll only focus on Munster as our home game before our two away games.
“We want to put out a good performance for our fans.
“It’s good to play at home. Some guys are returning from their [respective] breaks, so hopefully we can produce a good team performance.”
The final match on Saturday sees Franco Smith’s table-topping Glasgow Warriors take on Leinster.
A win for the Warriors would see them stretch their lead, whilst Leinster are fighting for a top-two spot.
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith said: “We are pleased to be back in action this weekend, and we are looking forward to running out at what promises to be a sold-out Scotstoun.
“We haven’t welcomed Leinster to our home since October 2023, and it promises to be an exciting game for everyone.
“It goes without saying that Leinster has been amongst the standard setters in European rugby for many years, with strength in depth across every position and a squad filled with international talent that can cause problems for any team – we know we must be at our best to meet their level Saturday evening.
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Getting ready for Glasgow 🙌 #GLAvLEI #NeverLessThanEverything pic.twitter.com/mZnXqlN6pB
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 19, 2026
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: “Our last game is the one that’s probably most at the forefront of my mind, unfortunately, as it was an 8-7 loss [to Cardiff].
“We’re definitely keen to get out and see our lads play with a bit more positive intent against Glasgow than we did in our last game.
“That’s the way we want to play, that’s the way we’ve always wanted to play. Glasgow plays a very similar style of rugby to what Scotland produces.”
The weekend concludes in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon when the Stormers host the Dragons at DHL Stadium.
Depending on the Glasgow v Leinster result, John Dobson’s team could surge to the top of the standings with a bonus point victory.
Two wins will guarantee the Stormers a play-off spot, but forwards coach Rito Hlungwani says that every game is one they want to win going forward.
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“From my point of view, every single game we want to challenge for a victory,” Hlungwani told Rugby365.
“That’s where our mindset is at now. We’re not looking at certain games thinking we should go easy on them.
“We want to challenge ourselves every single time. To answer your question, we want to win every game.”
Captain Ruhan Nel highlighted the threats the Dragons pose and warned that they shouldn’t be underestimated, given their position on the URC table.
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“They [Dragons] have probably been the best defensive side since the new year.
“They have big and heavy ball runners who love to tackle.
“Tinus de Beer, who has played in South Africa, has an educated boot on him and loves to have a crack with the ball in hand as well.
He added: “All their losses were marginal; it wasn’t like a 50-point blowout.
“They really contest and stay in the game for long periods. We are fully aware of the threat that’s coming.”
Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said: “We know what’s coming. It’s a bit of a fortress at their stadium; they’re a proud nation, so it’ll be tough against the Stormers and a test we need to stand up to.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge and how we keep growing our parts of the game that we need to focus on.
“We have clear expectations of what we want to achieve while we are here. John Dobson has the same for Stormers in this game. So, it’s going to be a good scrap.”
*See all teams and predictions below!
Saturday, March 21
Lions v Edinburgh
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 14.45 SAST; 12.45 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Lions by 16 points
Teams
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel
Edinburgh: 15 Harry Paterson, 14 Malelili Satala, 13 Matt Currie, 12 Mosese Tuipulotu, 11 Jack Brown, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Magnus Bradbury (captain), 7 Freddy Douglas,6 Ben Muncaster, 5 Glen Young, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 James Whitcombe, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Liam McConnell, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Piers O’Conor
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa), Stephen Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 17.00 SAST; 15.00 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Sharks by two points
Teams
Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Hakeen Kunene
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Shane Daly, 10 JJ Hanrahan (captain), 9 Ethan Coughlan, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Seán Edogbo,5 Tom Ahern, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Michael Milne
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Fineen Wycherley, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Dan Kelly, 23 Brian Gleeson
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa), Christopher Allison (South Africa)
TMO: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Benetton v Ospreys
(Stadio Monigo, Treviso – Kick-off: 16.00 CET; 15.00 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Benetton by 12 points
Teams
Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Onisi Ratave, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Michele Lamaro (captain), 7 Alessandro Izekor, 6 Riccardo Favretto, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Giulio Marini, 3 Giosué Zilocchi, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Destiny Aminu, 18 Marcos Gallorini, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Mattia Midena, 21 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Matt Gallagher
Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Jack Walsh (co-captain), 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Harri Deaves, 6 James Ratti, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 James Fender, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry (co-captain), 1 Steffan Thomas
Replacements: 16 Lewis Lloyd, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Rhys Henry, 19 Huw Sutton, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Luke Davies, 22 Harri Houston, 23 Evardi Boshoff
Referee: Ian Kenny (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Federico Vedovelli (Italy), Riccardo Bonatto (Italy)
TMO: Paul Haycock (Ireland)
Glasgow Warriors v Leinster
(Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – Kick-off: 17.30 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Leinster by three points
Teams
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Johnny Ventisei, 12 Stafford McDowall (captain), 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne, 9 Macenzzie Duncan, 7 Sione Vailanu, 6 Euan Ferrie, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Alex Craig, 3 Fin Richardson, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Patrick Schickerling
Replacements: 16 Seb Stephen, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Jare Oguntibeju, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Angus Fraser, 22 Jack Oliver, 23 Adam Hastings
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Joshua Kenny, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath (captain), 8 James Culhane, 7 Will Connors, 6 Jack Conan, 5 Brian Deeny, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Alex Usanov
Replacements: 16 John McKee, 17 Jerry Cahir, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Scott Penny, 22 Fintan Gunne, 23 Ciarán Frawley
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: David Sutherland (Scotland), Ciaran Stark (Scotland)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
Sunday, March 22
Stormers v Dragons
(DHL Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 15.00 SAST; 13.00 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Stormers by 25 points
Teams
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Dragons: 15 Cai Evans, 14 Jared Rosser, 13 Fetuli Paea, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Angus O’Brien (captain), 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Harrison Keddie, 7 Harry Beddall, 6 Ryan Woodman, 5 Seb Davies, 4 Levi Douglas, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Jordan Morris
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Owain James, 19 Barny Langton-Cryer, 20 Thomas Young, 21 Niall Armstrong, 22 Jac Lloyd, 23 Fine Inisi
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
