URC transfers: Who has the biggest cheque books?

It has been an exceptionally busy off-season for the United Rugby Championship’s transfer market.

With the opening round on September 25, less than a fortnight away, now is as good a time as any to recap the gains and losses of the various teams.

The four South African franchises have been very active, with some of the most high-profile recruits and departures in recent years.

However, with frontline Springboks not be available for the opening rounds of the 2026/27 URC, some of those recruits are unlikely to run out with their new teams this year.

You can expect the marquee Springbok players to become fully integrated and available for selection for their local franchises only during the festive derby rounds in mid-to-late December 2026 and early January 2027.

Following the gruelling historic four-Test series against the All Blacks (which concluded this past weekend), the Boks will sit out the opening October rounds of the URC to recover and complete a rest window.

And once their resting period concludes, the national squad convenes immediately for the European leg of their Nations Championship campaign.

The Springboks have scheduled Tests against Italy, France, and Ireland, as well as the finals weekend, stretching across November.

That aside, it has been an intriguing transfer window.

The single biggest and most significant off-season signing is Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who completed a sensational return to the Stormers from the Sharks.

Beyond what he produces physically on the field, the back-to-back World Cup-winning captain brings an unmatched winning mentality, peerless defensive grit, and iconic leadership back to Cape Town.

While Kolisi is the biggest transfer, two other massive signings follow right behind him in terms of total impact on the tournament.

Cheslin Kolbe’s emotional homecoming creates an incredibly dangerous backline alongside Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Then there is Joey Carbery’s return to Ireland, which provides Leinster with proven European pedigree as they set out to defend their crown.

The most notable off-season signings are undoubtedly the Stormers’ acquisitions.

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In addition to signing Kolisi and Kolbe, they have also brought on board the formidable Wilco Louw from the Bulls.

Other important additions to various teams include Jamie Ritchie, who is returning to the Glasgow Warriors; Ciarán Frawley making a switch from Leinster to Connacht; Thaakir Abrahams moving from Munster to the Bulls; Thomas du Toit joining the Sharks from Bath; and Scott Sio transferring from Exeter Chiefs to Cardiff.

The acquisition of three Springbok legends – Kolisi, Kolbe, and Louw – marks one of the most impressive single transfer windows in the history of local franchises, significantly shifting the competitive landscape in favour of Cape Town.

For the Stormers, this off-season window stands out as perhaps the most remarkable in URC history. Kolisi adds unparalleled leadership, robust defence, and additional depth in the loose forwards. Kolbe enhances the Stormers’ already intimidating attacking backline, and Louw will further fortify a scrum that achieved an impressive 92 percent success rate last season.

Leinster bolstered their European experience by welcoming Carbery back to Ireland, while the reigning Scottish champions, Glasgow Warriors, have compensated for substantial player departures by securing Scotland international Jamie Ritchie from France.

Disappointed by the competition for playing opportunities at Leinster, Ireland’s Frawley has made a notable move to Connacht, where he aims to become the team’s key tactical leader.

Following significant player exits, the Sharks have proactively reconstructed their forward pack and overall team structure with an influx of international experience. The arrivals of Du Toit, Stephan Lewies, Jason Jenkins (from Harlequins and Leinster respectively), and Darrien Landsberg (from the Lions) give the Durban franchise a markedly different composition. Additionally, Gianni Lombard and the seasoned Ma’a Nonu, at age 40, are anticipated to provide the spark needed for the Sharks’ backline.

The Bulls, on the other hand, may be seen as the primary losers of the transfer period, with notable departures including Kurt-Lee Arendse and Ruan Nortjé to Japan, alongside David Kriel’s move to La Rochelle.

In response to these losses, the Bulls have focused on enhancing their back-three options and tactical adaptability. Thaakir Abrahams returns to South Africa from Munster to inject speedy options out wide. Hanro Liebenberg is also returning to Pretoria from the Leicester Tigers, and Curwin Bosch arrives from Brive to offer substantial kicking capabilities and versatility at Loftus Versfeld.

The Lions have reinforced their squad with Springbok Boan Venter (from Edinburgh), Hyron Andrews (from Sale Sharks), and Boeta Chamberlain (from Newcastle), opting for strategic additions rather than a complete overhaul.

Glasgow has faced key player losses as well, with Huw Jones moving to Toulon and Jack Dempsey heading to Japan, necessitating a re-evaluation of their title ambitions.

The key off-season movements

Bulls

Players in: Thaakir Abrahams from Munster, Curwin Bosch from Brive, Jean Erasmus (promoted from Academy), Luan Giliomee from the Sharks, Hakeem Kunene from the Sharks, Hanro Liebenberg from Leicester Tigers, Dylan Maart from the Stormers, Mawande Mdanda from the Sharks, Heinrich Theron (promoted from Academy), JJ Theron (promoted from Academy), Sango Xamlashe from the Pumas.

Players out: Kurt-Lee Arendse to Japan, Wilco Louw to the Stormers, Siphosethu Mnebelele to the Sharks, David Kriel to La Rochelle, Jan Serfontein (retired), Jannes Kirsten to Mont-de-Marsan, Henry Immelman to the Cheetahs, Ruan Nortjé to Kubota Spears.

Lions

Players in: Boan Venter from Edinburgh, Hyron Andrews from Sale Sharks, Boeta Chamberlain from Newcastle, Daniel Kasende from Ospreys, Asad Moos from the Stormers, Sikhumbuzo Notshe from Montauban, JP du Preez from Hurricanes (in Japan).

Players out: Gianni Lombard to the Sharks, Franco Marais (retired), Lubabalo Dobela to Narbonne, Ruben Schoeman to Narbonne, Darrien Landsberg to the Sharks.

Sharks

Players in: Thomas du Toit from Bath, Stephan Lewies from Harlequins, Nemo Roelofse from Perpignan, Gianni Lombard from the Lions, Ivan van Zyl from Saracens, Donavan Don from Boland and the BlitzBoks, Murray Koster from Japan, Esethu Mnebelele from the Bulls, Hendré Stassen from Brive, Darrien Landsberg from the Lions, Dominic Besag (United States), Ma’a Nonu from Toulon, Suleiman Hartzenberg from the Stormers.

Players out: Siya Kolisi to the Stormers, Jean Smith to Benetton, Le Roux Malan to Cardiff, Luan Giliomee to the Bulls, Hakeem Kunene to the Bulls, Mawande Mdanda to the Bulls, Marvin Orie (released), Grant Williams to Kobe Steelers, Aphelele Fassi to Brave Lupus, Francois Venter (retired).

Stormers

Players in: Wilco Louw from the Bulls, Siya Kolisi from the Sharks, Cheslin Kolbe from Sungoliath.

Players out: Ruben van Heerden to Montpellier, Salmaan Moerat to La Rochelle, Siyabonga Ntubeni (retired), Dylan Maart to the Bulls, Corné Weilbach to Saracens, Alex Groves to Scarlets, Dan du Plessis to Bordeaux, Asad Moos to the Lions, Lizo Gqoboka (retired), Suleiman Hartzenberg to the Sharks.

Leinster

Players in: Stephen Smyth (promoted from Academy), Conor O’Tighearnaigh (promoted from Academy), Josh Kenny (promoted from Academy), Joey Carbery from Bordeaux, Peter Dooley from Connacht.

Players out: Rieko Ioane to the Blues, Ciarán Frawley to Connacht, Will Connors to Connacht, Luke McGrath to Perpignan, Rabah Slimani to Toulon, Jerry Cahir to Connacht, John McKee to Scarlets.

Ulster

Players in: Eli Snyman from Benetton, Matthew Devine from Connacht, Ben Donnell from Cardiff, Bryn Ward (promoted from Academy), Jamie Benson from Harlequins, Eduardo Bello from Newcastle, Keynan Knox from Nevers, Chay Mullins from Connacht, Henry Walker (promoted from Academy), Aitzol Arenzana-King (promoted from Academy), Daniel Hawkshaw from Clontarf, Martin Moloney from Exeter Chiefs.

Players out: Angus Bell to Waratahs, John Andrew (released), Ben Moxham (released), Rory McGuire (released), Bryan O’Connor (released), Marcus Rea (released), Sean Reffell (released), David Shanahan (released), Lorcan McLoughlin (released), Werner Kok to Newcastle, James Humphreys to Ealing Trailfinders, Matthew Dalton to Kobe Steelers.

Munster

Players in: Marnus van der Merwe from Scarlets, Sean Edogbo (promoted from Academy), Ben O’Connor (promoted from Academy), Ronan Foxe (promoted from Academy), Jack Aungier from Connacht, Max Clein (promoted from Academy), Will Harrison from Kintetsu Liners, Ben O’Donovan (promoted from Academy), Kieran Brookes from Perpignan.

Players out: Jean Kleyn to Gloucester, Niall Scannell (retired), John Ryan (retired), Thaakir Abrahams to the Bulls, Tony Butler (released), Paddy Patterson (released), Andrew Smith to Eastern Suburbs in Australia, Oli Jager (retired), Fionn Gibbons to Ealing Trailfinders, Conor Bartley (released), Roman Salanoa to Nenagh Ormond.

Connacht

Players in: Ciarán Frawley from Leinster, Will Connors from Leinster, Francois van Wyk from Bath, Fiachna Barrett (promoted from Academy), Sean Naughton (promoted from Academy), Matthew Victory (promoted from Academy), Jerry Cahir from Leinster, Thomas Connolly from Belvedere, Billy Bohan (promoted from Academy).

Players out: Joe Joyce to Gloucester, Matthew Devine to Ulster, Jack Carty (retired), Denis Buckley (released), Temi Lasisi (released), Oisin Dowling (released), Oisín McCormack (released), David Hawkshaw (released), Jack Aungier to Munster, Chay Mullins to Ulster, Peter Dooley to Leinster.

Edinburgh

Players in: Riley Higgins from the Hurricanes in New Zealand, Hector Patterson (promoted from Academy), Geordie Gwynn from Ealing Trailfinders, Louie Chapman from the Crusaders, Jack Brown (promoted from Academy), Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (promoted from Academy), Alec Hepburn from Scarlets, James Grayson from Sagamihara DynaBoars, Ollie Duncan (promoted from Academy), Euan McVie (promoted from Academy), Kienan Higgins from New England Free Jacks.

Players out: Boan Venter to the Lions, Mikey Jones (released), Ross McCann (released), Charlie Shiel (released), Sam Skinner (released), Ben Healy to La Rochelle, Hamish Watson to Castres, Angus Williams to Doncaster Knights, James Lang to Harlequins.

Glasgow Warriors

Players in: Jack Oliver (promoted from Academy), Macenzzie Duncan (promoted from Academy), Matthew Urwin (promoted from Academy), Johnny Ventisei (promoted from Academy), Ruwald van der Merwe from the Pumas, Fergus Watson (promoted from Academy), Seb Stephen (promoted from Academy), Kerr Yule (promoted from Academy), Bayley Kuenzle from Western Force, Kerr Johnston (promoted from Academy), Jamie Ritchie from Perpignan, Ryan Burke (promoted from Academy), Ruaraidh Hart (promoted from Academy).

Players out: Adam Hastings to Montpellier, Huw Jones to Toulon, Jamie Bhatti to Bath, Jack Dempsey to Brave Lupus, Johnny Matthews to Montauban, Duncan Weir (retired), Sione Vailanu to Biarritz, Brent Jackson to Rotherham Titans.

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