United Rugby Championship Fixtures & Upcoming Games

Friday, 20 Mar 2026

17:45

LionsEdinburgh

20:00

SharksMunster

20:00

BenettonOspreys

22:30

Glasgow WarriorsLeinster

18:00

StormersDragons

22:00

SharksCardiff Rugby

00:45

Glasgow WarriorsBenetton

00:45

LeinsterScarlets

17:00

BullsMunster

19:15

ConnachtOspreys

19:30

LionsDragons

22:00

StormersEdinburgh

00:45

ZebreUlster

News

Bulls’ first-half blitz stuns Cardiff

The Vodacom Bulls scored six tries in a convincing win against Cardiff at Loftus on Friday night. The 40-7 victory saw Johan Ackermann’s men leapfrog the Lions into seventh place on the Vodacom URC log. It was just the result the Bulls needed after last week’s disappointing loss to the Stormers, keeping their playoff fate in their own hands with five league-stage matches remaining. ALSO: AfricaPicks’ guide to rugby betting The Bulls made a poor start when a handling error from fullback David Kriel on halfway gifted a try to Cardiff centre Harri Millard. You lose it there… it’s over. Harri Millard had a clear run. #BKTURC #URC | #BULvCAR pic.twitter.com/33kSmsdYPU — BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 20, 2026 But Cardiff flank Alun Lawrence was yellow-carded shortly after for a cynical breakdown infringement and the Bulls made the Welsh club pay, with loose forward Marcell Coetzee and hooker Johan Grobbelaar going over from lineout mauls. Lock Cobus Wiese’s try, against 15 men, was ruled out because of obstruction, but Kriel then dotted down to make amends for his earlier mistake. Late in the half, the Bulls countered from a Cardiff box kick that went too far, with winger Kurt-Lee Arendse putting scrumhalf Embrose Papier away for the bonus-point try. Papier KLA Magic from the Vodacom Bulls to score the bonus point 🪄 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/ryfD2xLzTv — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 20, 2026 On the stroke of half-time, Elrigh Louw collected an innovative cross-kick from fellow loose forward Nizaam Carr to score the Bulls’ fifth try and Handré Pollard’s fourth conversion made it 33-7 at the break. Nizaam channeled his inner Messi with that kick ‍@Vodacom #URC | #ExtraOrdinaryLeague | Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby pic.twitter.com/0fJFlxWxQE — vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) March 20, 2026 The highlight of a scoreless first 15 minutes of the second half was the introduction of Cameron Hanekom off the bench after a nine-month injury absence. And the No 8 made an immediate impact, gaining ground from the back of a scrum before another replacement, Ruan Vermaak, went over. URC Influence Index: The Top 10 SA players The game became disjointed as both sides emptied their benches, with Cardiff showing great character to prevent any further damage. The Welsh club now travels to Durban to face the Sharks next Friday, while the Bulls host Munster next Saturday. BULLS – Tries: Marcell Coetzee, Johan Grobbelaar, David Kriel, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Vermaak. Conversions: Handré Pollard (4), Kriel. CARDIFF – Try: Harri Millard. Conversion: Callum Sheedy. Photo: @BlueBullsRugby/X The post Bulls’ first-half blitz stuns Cardiff appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

2 hours ago

Sharks rocked by Bok withdrawal

The Sharks have been forced into a late change for Saturday’s Vodacom URC match against Munster at Kings Park. Centre Ethan Hooker has been withdrawn from the starting lineup “due to personal reasons”, according to the Sharks, with his place taken by Le Roux Malan. The 26-year-old Malan is a Namibian international who comes straight into the lineup, having not been named in the original match 23. SHARKS CEO: No role for Plum in new structure Coach JP Pietersen had announced a team with eight changes from the side which started the 41-12 defeat to the Bulls at Loftus two weeks ago. The Sharks are 11th on the log with six league-stage matches remaining. SHARKS – 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 André Esterhuizen (c), 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.Bench: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nché, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corné Rahl, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Hakeen Kunene. Weekend teams Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images The post Sharks rocked by Bok withdrawal appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

4 hours ago