Latest News & Developments
With their South African IDs finally in hand, the Tshituka brothers are poised to make an impact for the Sharks against Ulster in a crucial URC clash this Saturday.
John Dobson's enforced changes see exciting Willemse-Hartzenberg axis take centre-stage as injury-hit Stormers aim to maintain momentum in Belfast.
Stormers tighthead Sazi Sandi reveals how mentorship from Frans Malherbe, Neethling Fouche and Brok Harris has fast-tracked his development as he prepares to start against Ulster in Belfast.
Despite facing a physically dominant Ulster side in Belfast this Friday, Stormers assistant coach Rito Hlungwani insists his team will continue their exciting brand of running rugby, with both teams locked in a tight battle for URC playoff positions.
Steven Kitshoff, who hasn’t featured for the Springboks since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks, said the injury happened during a normal scrum.
Though the Bulls conceded a couple late tries in the encounter, they were dominant throughout the clash with the result never looking in doubt once the home side got going against Ulster in their Rugby Championship clash.
The Bulls will have no less than 13 Springboks in their matchday 23, with 10 of those in the run-on team, match against Ulster at Loftus Versfeld.
Instead of being despondent, the ever-cheery David Kriel wants to prove himself once more for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship to catch the attention of Rassie Erasmus.
The Bulls were fortunate to see off Edinburgh, and know that they need to step up their intensity and accuracy to beat an Ulster side determined to improve after losing to the Lions.
The return of star centre Henco van Wyk after a lengthy knee injury lay-off was just the boost the Lions needed off the bench, and he finished off a terrific line-break by Quan Horn.
It was a case of fourth time lucky for the Lions as they recorded their first United Rugby Championship victory over Ulster with a 35-22 triumph at Ellis Park yesterday.
Ulster appeared to find the early kick-off tough in the sun and at altitude as the Lions scored five tries to get the United Rugby Championship off to a winning start at Ellis Park.
If the forwards can secure their set-pieces and generate quick ball, the Lions have a lethal backline capable of unlocking any defence in the URC, starting against Ulster today.
Despite their second place on the United Rugby Championship log, Bulls coach Jake White is not concerned about complacency in his camp ahead of their final group stage clash against the Sharks.
Only nine points separate the third-placed Munster and 11th placed Lions, one of four teams currently tied on 39 points along with Edinburgh, Connacht and Ulster in the United Rugby Championship.
Former Stormers captain Steven Kitshoff says he is excited about returning to the team after spending a year in Ireland with Ulster.
Leinster’s emphatic win over the Bulls in the plum match of the 13th round of the United Rugby Championship has set the Irish team up to continue the hold they have had on the top spot
There is also a lot at stake in the play-off race. The Stormers are fifth on the URC log, and are pushing for a top-four spot in order to secure a home quarter-final.
Roos will have a tough task to mark Ulster No 8 Nick Timoney, but knows the importance of getting five log points for the Stormers to remain in contention for home play-offs.
Hartzenberg – who hails from Manenberg, matriculated at Bishops and has come through the UCT Varsity Cup side – harbours dreams of playing international rugby.
Hartzenberg was at right wing in the 43-21 win over Edinburgh last Saturday, but is equally comfortable at outside centre.
Levy laughed at the suggestion that there might be a gentlemen’s agreement between Kitshoff and his former Stormers teammates to keep parity in the scrums.
Just over 23 000 spectators came to see the Stormers score some scintillating tries, which included a hat-trick by wing Suleiman Hartzenberg.
It was just the second win in the competition for the Sharks, as they upset the form books to ensure a move off the bottom of the table with other games still to come on the day.
South Africa’s four United Rugby Championship teams will look to return to the field with a bang after a two-week break, knowing every result will count with only seven pool rounds remaining.