Official United Rugby Championship thread

[Sards]

Roos injury not as bad as thought. Will be back before the end of the season

Good news.

[Sards]

The Sharks Uncaged online magazine is now available.
They really are making the brand something to take notice of.

[Chilli]

That was a gutsy performance by the $harks. I really thought we'd lost it at the end, but the b-team really stepped up.

Incredible performance from Ox, probably the best I've seen him play.

Marnus Potgieter is starting to turn into a very good winger. Grobelar is also turning into one of the better locks we've had in recent years.

Still a lot to work on, but those sort of games really help. Nice to know we've got two games in the bank too, so we could potentially finish the season quite high on the log.

Yhis is the $harks/ $piv$ team performance that most of us have been wanting to see.
It looks like a decent coach and a few decent players have turned the $harks/ $piv team into what we have been promised.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers put the $hark$ away yesterday in Durban with ease.

They moved 10 points clear of the Bulls in the SA conference. Playing at Loftus in two weeks and another big challenge. Already 21 000 tickets sold for this rivalry match.

[OomStruisbaai]

[handyman]

Hard to see the saaks bouncing back from such a loss.

[OomStruisbaai]

Hard to see the saaks bouncing back from such a loss.

Week is a long time in rugby.

[fishfoodie]

Any word on what the viewing audiences are like for the URC in SA ?

The match attendances aren't great, but it'd be good to know if there is at least positive signs on TV viewers, & anecdotal stuff around matches being watched in Bars etc.

Ultimately, the financials have to make sense for all the teams.

[OomStruisbaai]

Any word on what the viewing audiences are like for the URC in SA ?

The match attendances aren't great, but it'd be good to know if there is at least positive signs on TV viewers, & anecdotal stuff around matches being watched in Bars etc.

Ultimately, the financials have to make sense for all the teams.

The crowds over December / January was excellent. Cape Town average are probable close to the highest in the URC. Loftus doing well. 21,000 already sold for the Stormers deby next . Stormers (south) vs Bulls (north) always draw the biggest crowd. It's the SA traditional derby.

Ellispark is a worry. The location is in a kak place.. Durban is the Shark fear the fin tank. No one want to go there.

[Sards]

Stormers put the $hark$ away yesterday in Durban with ease.

You can put your cock away now...that thing must look like droe wors already with the beating you gave it this weekend

[assfly]

[handyman]

All that money... Eish.

[OomStruisbaai]

NEXT VODACOM URC FIXTURES

Glasgow Warriors v Ulster (17 February, 21.35)
Munster v Ospreys (17 February, 21.35)
Emirates Lions v Cell C Sharks (18 February, 15.00)
Vodacom Bulls v DHL Stormers (18 February, 17.05)
Zebre v Connacht (18 February, 17.05)
Cardiff Rugby v Benetton (18 February, 19.15)
Scarlets v Edinburgh (18 February, 19.15)
Leinster v Dragons (18 February, 21.35)

TOP 8 LOG POSITIONS

1. Leinster 61 points after 13 games
2. DHL Stormers 50 points after 13 games
3. Ulster 43 points after 12 games
4. Vodacom Bulls 40 points after 13 games
5. Glasgow Warriors 39 points after 12 games
6. Munster 37 points after 13 games
7. Benetton 34 points after 13 games
8. Cell C Sharks 33 points after 12 games

[OomStruisbaai]

Loooong weekend without URC. Luckily Varsity Cup and CC about to start.

Planning to go to the Stormers vs Sharks match 4th March. Sards can we cabal Boet?

[Chilli]

Loooong weekend without URC. Luckily Varsity Cup and CC about to start.

Planning to go to the Stormers vs Sharks match 4th March. Sards can we cabal Boet?

All the fucking years that I lived in Slaapstad and you were in Paarl and you never fokken cabled with us.
Now you loive 400kms away, and I'm 700 kms away, and suddenly you want to cabal?

Tell him to get fucked $ards.

[OomStruisbaai]

Loooong weekend without URC. Luckily Varsity Cup and CC about to start.

Planning to go to the Stormers vs Sharks match 4th March. Sards can we cabal Boet?

All the fucking years that I lived in Slaapstad and you were in Paarl and you never fokken cabled with us.
Now you loive 400kms away, and I'm 700 kms away, and suddenly you want to cabal?

Tell him to get fucked $ards.

I am back in Paarl from 1 March. Will be working the first few weekends. May be a braai at Sards house will be better. He can teach me to smoke pappegaai twak and I can teach him some Nigerian swear words

[Sards]

Loooong weekend without URC. Luckily Varsity Cup and CC about to start.

Planning to go to the Stormers vs Sharks match 4th March. Sards can we cabal Boet?

All the fucking years that I lived in Slaapstad and you were in Paarl and you never fokken cabled with us.
Now you loive 400kms away, and I'm 700 kms away, and suddenly you want to cabal?

Tell him to get fucked $ards.

I am back in Paarl from 1 March. Will be working the first few weekends. May be a braai at Sards house will be better. He can teach me to smoke pappegaai twak and I can teach him some Nigerian swear words

Dude.....weekends are full till cricket season ends.....our lives are spent watching the 2 kids play...
Saturdays are the worst......with both playing at the same time. So unfortunately that will be a no.
Its been such fun and we wouldn't change it. My youngest is having a breakthrough season where he is opening bowler for club and school , and third batsman in both formats too ( he prefers it because he is a slogger, but may have to open as well because his figures are so good )....as well as Wickie keeper for second half of the innings to give his mate a bowl and to field at club and school. So its been great. My wife goes to the eldest and he has firmly broken into the A side with some very impressive bowling figures ( fantastic economy and strike rate )....and you know how the kids want you to be there.

[Chilli]

All the fucking years that I lived in Slaapstad and you were in Paarl and you never fokken cabled with us.
Now you loive 400kms away, and I'm 700 kms away, and suddenly you want to cabal?

Tell him to get fucked $ards.

I am back in Paarl from 1 March. Will be working the first few weekends. May be a braai at Sards house will be better. He can teach me to smoke pappegaai twak and I can teach him some Nigerian swear words

Dude.....weekends are full till cricket season ends.....our lives are spent watching the 2 kids play...
Saturdays are the worst......with both playing at the same time. So unfortunately that will be a no.
Its been such fun and we wouldn't change it. My youngest is having a breakthrough season where he is opening bowler for club and school , and third batsman in both formats too ( he prefers it because he is a slogger, but may have to open as well because his figures are so good )....as well as Wickie keeper for second half of the innings to give his mate a bowl and to field at club and school. So its been great. My wife goes to the eldest and he has firmly broken into the A side with some very impressive bowling figures ( fantastic economy and strike rate )....and you know how the kids want you to be there.

That's nice way of telling Oom to get fucked.

[Slick]

[OomStruisbaai]

Little bit of South African biggest rivalry in history.

Looking forward to saturday

[Chilli]

Little bit of South African biggest rivalry in history.

Looking forward to saturday

Uli was a filthy bastard.

[OomStruisbaai]

Uli die Boelie. Some 1981 Bokke playing in that game.

[OomStruisbaai]

Watch this one as a young army lat in Pretoria 1979

Naas se baas

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls vs Stormers match coming closer. Bulls the big favorites playing on Loftus and not that many Springboks rested. Bulls also more desperate for logpoints

Both teams have lots of respect between them and enjoying to be part of this special North vs South rivalry.

Lions vs $hark$ plays for wooden spoon.

Bulls by 6, Sharks by 12

[Sards]

C Sharks

Ntuthuko Mchunu
Dan Jooste
Carlü Sadie
Reniel Hugo
Gerbrandt Grobler
James Venter
Henco Venter
Phepsi Buthelezi (c)
Grant Williams
Curwin Bosch
Thaakir Abrahams
Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Francois Venter
Werner Kok
Aphelele Fassi
Replacements

Fez Mbatha
Dian Bleuler
Hanro Jacobs
Vincent Tshituka
Dylan Richardson
Sikhumbuzo Notshe
Cameron Wright
Ben Tapuai

Cameron on the bench....not vokked off
Werner back....

[OomStruisbaai]

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Henco Venter, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Reniel Hugo, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Cameron Wright, 23 Ben Tapuai.

Date: Saturday, February 18
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

[OomStruisbaai]

Game not to miss is Glasgow vs Ulster.

Ulster team to play Glasgow Warriors, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 14, Friday 17 February at Scotstoun Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on ViaPlay and URC.tv.

(15-9): Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak.

(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, Andy Warwick, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, John Cooney, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy.

Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Scotstoun, Friday 17 February, kick-off 7.35pm. You can watch the match live on Viaplay Sports, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Nathan McBeth (15)
2 Johnny Matthews (39)
3 Lucio Sordoni (10)
4 Lewis Bean (30)
5 Scott Cummings (95)
6 Thomas Gordon (60)
7 Sione Vailanu (10)
8 Jack Dempsey (32)

9 Jamie Dobie (43)
10 Tom Jordan (14)
11 Cole Forbes (31)
12 Sam Johnson (98)
13 Stafford McDowall (C) (48)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (22)
15 Ollie Smith (25)

Replacements

16 Fraser Brown (134)
17 Jamie Bhatti (81)
18 Simon Berghan (24)
19 JP du Preez (14)
20 Alex Samuel (5)
21 Euan Ferrie (7)
22 Ali Price (122)
23 Duncan Weir (131)

Unavailable for selection: Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Domingo Miotti (back), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (ankle), Murphy Walker (neck), Ryan Wilson (knee).

[OomStruisbaai]

DHL STORMERS REMAINING FIXTURES

Vodacom URC

Vodacom Bulls (away) 18 February

Cell C Sharks (home) 4 March

Leinster (away) 24 March

Munster (home) 15 April

Benetton (home) 21 April

Heineken Champions Cup round of 16

Harlequins (home) 1 April

VODACOM BULLS REMAINING FIXTURES

Vodacom URC

DHL Stormers (home) 18 February

Emirates Lions (home) 25 February

Ulster (away) 25 March

Zebre (home) 15 April

Leinster (home) 22 April

Heineken Champions Cup round of 16

Toulouse (away) 2 April

CELL C SHARKS REMAINING FIXTURES

Vodacom URC

Emirates Lions (away) 18 February

Ulster (home) 25 February

DHL Stormers (away) 4 March

Scarlets (away) 25 March

Benetton (home) 14 April

Munster (home) 22 April

Sharks Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16:

Munster (home) 1 April

EMIRATES LIONS REMAINING FIXTURES

Vodacom URC

Cell C Sharks (home) 18 February

Glasgow Warriors (home) 25 February

Vodacom Bulls (away) 4 March

Benetton (away) 25 March

Leinster (home) 15 April

Zebre (away) 22 April

Lions Challenge Cup round of 16

Racing 92 (home) 1 April

[weegie01]

Game not to miss is Glasgow vs Ulster.

Ulster team to play Glasgow Warriors, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 14, Friday 17 February at Scotstoun Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on ViaPlay and URC.tv.

(15-9): Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak.

(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, Andy Warwick, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, John Cooney, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy.

Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Scotstoun, Friday 17 February, kick-off 7.35pm. You can watch the match live on Viaplay Sports, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Nathan McBeth (15)
2 Johnny Matthews (39)
3 Lucio Sordoni (10)
4 Lewis Bean (30)
5 Scott Cummings (95)
6 Thomas Gordon (60)
7 Sione Vailanu (10)
8 Jack Dempsey (32)

9 Jamie Dobie (43)
10 Tom Jordan (14)
11 Cole Forbes (31)
12 Sam Johnson (98)
13 Stafford McDowall (C) (48)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (22)
15 Ollie Smith (25)

Replacements

16 Fraser Brown (134)
17 Jamie Bhatti (81)
18 Simon Berghan (24)
19 JP du Preez (14)
20 Alex Samuel (5)
21 Euan Ferrie (7)
22 Ali Price (122)
23 Duncan Weir (131)

Unavailable for selection: Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Domingo Miotti (back), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (ankle), Murphy Walker (neck), Ryan Wilson (knee).

I am surprised to see so many back from the 6N squad, but even so that is a strong Glasgow side.

[fishfoodie]

Game not to miss is Glasgow vs Ulster.

Ulster team to play Glasgow Warriors, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 14, Friday 17 February at Scotstoun Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on ViaPlay and URC.tv.

(15-9): Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak.

(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, Andy Warwick, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, John Cooney, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy.

Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Scotstoun, Friday 17 February, kick-off 7.35pm. You can watch the match live on Viaplay Sports, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Nathan McBeth (15)
2 Johnny Matthews (39)
3 Lucio Sordoni (10)
4 Lewis Bean (30)
5 Scott Cummings (95)
6 Thomas Gordon (60)
7 Sione Vailanu (10)
8 Jack Dempsey (32)

9 Jamie Dobie (43)
10 Tom Jordan (14)
11 Cole Forbes (31)
12 Sam Johnson (98)
13 Stafford McDowall (C) (48)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (22)
15 Ollie Smith (25)

Replacements

16 Fraser Brown (134)
17 Jamie Bhatti (81)
18 Simon Berghan (24)
19 JP du Preez (14)
20 Alex Samuel (5)
21 Euan Ferrie (7)
22 Ali Price (122)
23 Duncan Weir (131)

Unavailable for selection: Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Domingo Miotti (back), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (ankle), Murphy Walker (neck), Ryan Wilson (knee).

I am surprised to see so many back from the 6N squad, but even so that is a strong Glasgow side.

It's a massively important game.

If Ulster beat Glasgow, then Glasgow loses that game advantage, & could end up in dog fight for those last few playoff positions.

[Camroc2]

It's a stronger Glasgow line-up.

[OomStruisbaai]

URC is building towards an interesting climax. Lots of SA vs Ireland matches. SA teams without Springboks until end of March will be the challenge for them.

[Chilli]

Bulls vs Stormers match coming closer. Bulls the big favorites playing on Loftus and not that many Springboks rested. Bulls also more desperate for logpoints

Both teams have lots of respect between them and enjoying to be part of this special North vs South rivalry.

Lions vs $hark$ plays for wooden spoon.

Bulls by 6, Sharks by 12

Ja, look $harks by plenty.

The Bulls have been pretty average, while the Stomps have been pretty good.

Stomps will win by 10 or more.

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Sibusiso Nkosi, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Jacques Du Plessis, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Lionel Mapoe


Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Brok Harris.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Junior Pokomela, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.


Date: Saturday, February 18
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa) & Griffon Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


Bulls by 6

[average joe]

Bulls are going nowhere slowly with those forwards.

[Chilli]

Bulls are going nowhere slowly with those forwards.

Those props

[OomStruisbaai]

Deon Fourie is the only Stormers forward who played in last years final.

Bulls are the bookies favorite.

[fishfoodie]

Weather slightly better in Limerick, than Glasgow, so they have managed to score points

10 - 3

[OomStruisbaai]

Franco has change Glasgow. They are playing Vrystaat rugby

[fishfoodie]

Munster on song

27 - 3 HT, TBP secured