SA Teams Encounter Tough Opponents Abroad in Vodacom URC
This weekend, the four local Vodacom United Rugby Championship teams will face intense challenges in their round-three matches overseas. The Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers, currently leading the standings, are looking to maintain their unbeaten records in the tournament.
In the meantime, the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Lions are searching for their first victories in a round featuring several Springboks returning from their successful Castle Lager Rugby Championship run.
Only four teams in the competition have claimed wins in their opening two matches: the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, Munster, and Zebre Parma. They are keen to keep this positive momentum as the tournament unfolds.
The DHL Stormers will go head-to-head with the Scarlets in Llanelli on Friday, with a busy Saturday lined up for local fans. The Lions are scheduled to take on Benetton in Treviso, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will challenge reigning champions Leinster in Dublin, and the Vodacom Bulls will clash with Ulster in Belfast.
Confidence is high for the Stormers as they enter their match following a commanding 35-0 victory against Leinster and a 26-10 win over the Ospreys at home. With the Scarlets positioned at the bottom of the standings, having managed just one win after their match against Connacht was postponed, the Stormers will aim to replicate their successful overseas form.
The team is also energized by their impressive offensive and defensive records, having accumulated 61 points—the second-highest in the tournament—while allowing just 10 points, the best defensive mark. They will welcome back Springboks Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse.
The Lions are motivated by the disappointment of missing out on a playoff spot last season and are determined to improve upon two disappointing tour results, aiming to finish their final match abroad with a victory this weekend.
The matchup between Leinster and the Hollywoodbets Sharks promises to be exhilarating, as both teams are seeking their first wins of the season. While Leinster seeks redemption after two challenging losses to the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers in South Africa, the Sharks are equally focused on completing their tour positively following a defeat to Glasgow Warriors and a frustrating draw with the Dragons last week. They are also strengthened by the return of several Springboks, including Makazole Mapimpi, Ethan Hooker, Bongi Mbonambi, and Vincent Koch.
The Sharks can take comfort in their stronger attacking and defensive statistics thus far in the tournament. However, Leinster, known for their dominance at home, will aim to leverage the energy of their devoted fans to turn their fortunes around. Moreover, the Sharks have historically faced challenges against Leinster, winning only one of their last five encounters, giving the home team a potential psychological advantage.
Meanwhile, Ulster aims to carry momentum from their 42-21 victory against the Dragons in their opening match into their clash with the in-form Vodacom Bulls, following a postponed meeting with Edinburgh last week. The Bulls will be driven by their strong track record, having lost only once in their last 11 URC matches—a defeat to Leinster in last year’s final—which they hope to build upon for this upcoming match.
Ulster’s defense will need to step up, as the Vodacom Bulls boast the competition’s top attack with 92 points scored across their first two games. In contrast, the Bulls have conceded 71 points— a statistic Ulster hopes to exploit.
As all teams strive for consistency throughout the tournament, an exhilarating weekend of rugby is expected.
Match Information:
Scarlets v DHL Stormers
Date: Friday, 10 October
Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
SA Time: 20h45
Referee: Federico Vedovelli
TV: SuperSport
Benetton v Lions
Date: Saturday, 11 October
Venue: Stadio Monigo, Treviso
SA Time: 16h00
Referee: Andrew Brace
TV: SuperSport
Leinster v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Date: Saturday, 11 October
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
SA Time: 18h30
Referee: Craig Evans
TV: SuperSport
Ulster v Vodacom Bulls
Date: Saturday, 11 October
Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
SA Time: 20h45
Referee: Mike Adamson
TV: SuperSport
