URC Round 14 - Saturday's Teams and Predictions

PREVIEW: South Africa’s franchises head into Round 14 of the United Rugby Championship with genuine momentum and a clear opportunity to tighten their grip on the play-off race.

Three wins here on out should secure qualification, with four or five needed for a top-four push.

With the Bulls, Lions and Stormers all carrying form, confidence and favourable conditions, Round 14 shapes as a defining weekend for South African teams – one that could see them firmly take control of the race to the knockouts.

The Bulls have a seemingly easier run-in compared to other playoff competitors – four of their remaining five fixtures see them face bottom-four opposition. Furthermore, the Bulls have made Loftus Versfeld a fortress over recent years, having not lost there to a non-South African side since Glasgow visited for the 2024 URC Grand Final.

They’ll be hoping to carry momentum from last season’s victory over play-off contenders Munster. Munster, on the other hand, hold sixth position, only two points off fourth place and interprovincial rivals Leinster. Munster likely need three wins from their remaining five games to guarantee a play-off spot and will be hoping to put last week’s 0-45 loss to the Sharks behind them.

*Also read Ackermann shuffles Bulls backline for Munster showdown

The Bulls will be favourites against Munster, having won four of their last five URC games. Munster have it all to do in one of the toughest places to travel to in the whole competition.

Munster no longer carry quite the same edge they once had under talismanic captain Peter O’Mahony, and even with reinforcements returning, their biggest weakness remains the set-piece. Their struggles at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, especially at scrum time, exposed a vulnerability that won’t be easily fixed overnight.

The Bulls will back themselves to do the same come scrum time. That physical edge could once again prove decisive.

Speaking to the media ahead of this big encounter, coach Johan Ackermann said their opposition this weekend is one of the most consistent teams in the competition.

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#TeamAnnouncement: Ackermann shuffles Bulls backline for Munster showdown 👇#URC #Bulls #Munster #BULvMUN https://t.co/fnmaTAyuZz

— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) March 27, 2026

“They’ll be highly motivated and will be coming out with an intensity and a determination that we expect,” said Ackermann.

“Regardless of the result against the Sharks, if you look at their history, Munster is one of the most consistent teams in the URC and in Europe, so I think they’ll come to set things right.

“Tactically, they can string several phases together and shift the ball to the edges, so our defence will have to be sharp.

“We’re also expecting their nine and 10 returning from international rugby to do a lot of tactical kicking, so we’ll have to be good at dealing with that as well.”

Munster coach Clayton McMillan has made eight changes from the starting team beaten 0-45 at Kings Park last time out, and has beefed up his replacements with a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench for the Loftus Versfeld clash.

“We didn’t quite get the impact from the bench that we wanted (against the Sharks), clearly, but there’s no shortage of effort over the 80 minutes,” the coach told reporters in Cape Town this week.

“We just weren’t good enough in the few opportunities that presented to us, and they were particularly good at taking these.

“So, some huge learnings and some tough lessons there for us. And with the bench, when you travel, you are limited to a smaller squad than what you have when you have the luxury of playing at home.”

Meanwhile, Cardiff are expected to welcome back several Welsh internationals for their clash with the Sharks in Durban, although confirmation from the touring side has been limited.

Cardiff’s shock 35-0 win in Durban a few seasons ago remains a reminder of how dangerous they can be on their day; a result that ultimately marked the end of Sean Everitt’s tenure as Sharks coach. While a repeat upset seems unlikely, the Sharks would be making a mistake if they underestimate a Cardiff side capable of far more than what they showed against the Bulls.

In Johannesburg, the Lions have quietly turned into one of the competition’s most dangerous sides. Fresh off a dominant win over Edinburgh and already crowned South African Shield winners, they face a struggling Dragons outfit with their sights firmly set on securing a play-off berth.

Lions centre Henco van Wyk has reignited his dream of becoming a Springbok following the last three seasons, having to contend with repeated knee injuries.

“I want to become a Bok. That is a big thing for me and has been the drive behind the setbacks. They were quite big setbacks.

“To hold onto my dream and to work hard, that keeps me believing,” the powerful 24-year-old told reporters on Thursday.

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With just one loss in their last seven matches and a perfect record against the Dragons in the URC, Ellis Park is primed for another high-tempo, attacking display from the hosts.

Down in Cape Town, the Stormers continue their push for a top-two finish and home play-off advantage. Sitting second on the log, they welcome Edinburgh to DHL Stadium, where they have been near untouchable against overseas opposition.

With Glasgow in their sights, John Dobson’s men are no longer just chasing qualification; they are chasing dominance. Edinburgh, meanwhile, face an uphill battle after their heavy loss in Johannesburg, with their play-off hopes hanging by a thread.

With Seabelo Senatla out injured, Damian Willemse is set to feature on the right wing.

The coach said the keyboard warriors will have a field day ripping this decision apart. Watch the video to hear how he explained the rationale behind the decision.

Saturday, March 28

Bulls v Munster
(Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 14.00; 12.00 GMT)

Prediction

Rugby365: Bulls by 14 points

Teams:

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Cheswill Jooste, 23 David Kriel.

Munster: 15 Ben O’Connor, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Dan Kelly, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Seán O’Brien, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey (captain), 8 Brian Gleeson, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Tom Ahern, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Michael Milne
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 John Ryan, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 John Hodnett

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa), Jonathan Lottering (South Africa)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Connacht v Ospreys
(Dexcom Stadium, Galway – Kick-off: 14.15 GMT)

Prediction

Rugby365: Connacht by seven points

Teams:

Connacht: 15 Sean Naughton, 14 Shane Jennings, 13 Cathal Forde, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Finn Treacy, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Ben Murphy, 8 Paul Boyle (captain), 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Josh Murphy, 5 Darragh Murray, 4 Niall Murray, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Victory, 17 Billy Bohan, 18 Sam Illo, 19 David O’Connor, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Oisin McCormack.

Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Luke Davies, 8 Morgan Morse, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Ratti, 5 Huw Sutton, 4 Rhys Davies, 3 Rhys Henry, 2 Lewis Lloyd, 1 Steffan Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 James Fender, 21 Morgan Morris, 22 Harri Williams, 23 Max Nagy.

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole (Ireland), Tomás O’Sullivan (Ireland)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Lions v Dragons
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 16.10 SAST; 14.30 GMT)

Prediction

Rugby365: Lions by 17 points

Teams:

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze
Replacements:16 Morne Brandon, 17 Eddi Eddie Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel

Dragons: 15 Cai Evans, 14 Jared Rosser, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Angus O’Brien (co-captain), 9 Niall Armstrong, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Ryan Woodman, 5 Ben Carter, 4 Seb Davies, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 1 Rodrigo Martinez.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Jordan Morris, 18 Owain James, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Harrison Keddie, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jac Lloyd, 23 Fetuli Paea.

Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa), Stephen Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

Stormers v Edinburgh
(DHL Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 19.00; 17.00 GMT)

Prediction

Rugby365: Stormers by 15 points

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Damian Willemse, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Jurie Matthee.

Edinburgh: 15 Piers O’Connor, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Malelili Satala, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Charlie Shiel, 8 Magnus Bradbury (captain), 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 Liam McConnell, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Angus Williams, 19 Glen Young, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Mosese Tuipulotu, 23 Jack Brown.

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)

Zebre v Ulster
(Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – Kick-off: 20.45 CET; 19.45 GMT)

Prediction

Rugby365:  Ulster by 25 points

Teams:

Zebre: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Mirko Belloni, 13 Giulio Bertaccini, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Giacomo Da Re, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 David Odiase, 7 Bautista Stavile, 6 Alessandro Ortombina, 5 Leonard Krumov (captain), 4 Matteo Canali, 3 Enrique Pieretto, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 1 Muhamed Hasa.
Replacements: 16 Giovanni Quattrini, 17 Juan Pitinari, 18 Ion Neculai, 19 Giacomo Ferrari, 20 Giovanni Licata, 21 Thomas Dominguez, 22 Martin Roger Farias, 23 Luca Morisi.

Ulster: 15 Ethan McIlroy, 14 Werner Kok, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Zac Ward, 10 James Humphreys, 9 Conor McKee, 8 Bryn Ward, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 David McCann, 5 Iain Henderson (captain), 4 Joe Hopes, 3 Tom McAllister, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Replacements: 16 James McCormick, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Ben Carson, 23 Ben Moxham.

Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Fillipo Russo (Italy), Dario Merli (Italy)
TMO: Keith David (Wales)