URC Round Two Preview: Bulls, Stormers, Sharks And Lions Gear Up For Crucial Clashes

The United Rugby Championship (URC) rolls into its second weekend with South Africa’s four franchises facing intriguing challenges at home and abroad. After a strong opening round, the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions are chasing momentum in a season where early points could define their campaigns.

Bulls Brace For Leinster Showdown At Loftus

The Bulls have been dealt a blow with Springbok Jan Serfontein and Junior Bok Cheswill Jooste unavailable for their clash against Leinster in Pretoria on Saturday. Harold Vorster and Stravino Jacobs step into the backline, while Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg starts in the second row.

Loftus Versfeld will host a repeat of last season’s URC final, which Leinster won comfortably in Dublin. But the Irish giants arrive wounded after a shock 35-0 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town, and history is not on their side. Leinster have never beaten the Bulls at Loftus and have won just twice in South Africa since 2018. Local fans on social media are already buzzing about whether this could be another defining moment for Pretoria’s men, who are unbeaten in their last seven at home.

Stormers Celebrate Milestones Against Ospreys

Source: DHL Stormers on X

Cape Town will celebrate a centurion on Friday night as Dewaldt Duvenage makes his 100th appearance for the Stormers, joined by Adre Smith earning his 50th cap. Director of Rugby John Dobson praised both players for their leadership and resilience, highlighting their importance to the team’s culture.

The Stormers, fresh from demolishing Leinster, face the Ospreys in what could be a tricky test. The Welsh side has been one of the few northern teams to upset the Stormers in Cape Town, pulling off a rare win last year. With a vocal home crowd at DHL Stadium, the Capetonians will be looking to build on their perfect start to the season.

Sharks Reshuffle For Dragons Battle

Source: The Sharks on X

The Hollywoodbets Sharks head to Wales for a Friday night clash against the Dragons with a reshuffled backline. Jean Smith gets the nod at flyhalf, Jaden Hendrikse moves back to scrumhalf, and Lukhanyo Am shifts to inside centre. Injury-enforced changes see Edwill van der Merwe move to fullback and former Junior Bok PK Sobahle slot in on the wing.

Despite a narrow loss to Glasgow last weekend, the Sharks remain confident. Loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi told reporters the team is focused on “working hard for the badge” and proving they can turn close games into wins. Fans online echoed the sentiment, calling this fixture a “must-win” to avoid slipping behind early in the tournament.

Lions Look To End Away Drought In Italy

The Lions wrap up South Africa’s weekend fixtures with a Sunday visit to Parma to face Zebre. The Italians stunned Edinburgh in their opening match but have historically struggled against South African teams. For the Lions, this is a chance to end a poor away record they have not won on the road in the URC since October 2024, ironically in Parma against Zebre.

With Zebre buoyed by home support and newfound confidence, the Lions cannot afford complacency. Johannesburg fans have taken to social media urging the team to “bring the fight” and shake off their travel blues.

Why This Weekend Matters

Round two of the URC is about more than just early-season bragging rights. For the Bulls, it’s a chance to avenge last season’s heartbreak against Leinster. For the Stormers, it’s about celebrating history while keeping winning momentum. The Sharks need a statement win on foreign soil, while the Lions face the test of proving they can travel well.

With South African rugby enjoying global respect after recent international triumphs, every performance in the URC carries weight. This weekend, Loftus, Cape Town, Newport and Parma all become stages for stories that could shape the season.

{Source:SABC Sport & Super Sport}

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