State of the URC: Back with a bang
The DHL Stormers and Sharks collide in the first local derby of the season, while the Bulls and Lions are overseas as the Vodacom URC returns after the international break.
Following a four-week break for the November internationals, the Vodacom URC is back with a bang, with all four South African teams facing tough fixtures.
The highlight of the weekend will see the DHL Stormers travel to Durban to take on the Sharks in the first South African derby of the season at a sold-out Kings Park on Saturday afternoon (17:00).
The Stormers will be looking to get back on track after a disappointing home loss to Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch, which left them in 13th place on the table, six points outside the top eight. Aiding their quest will be the expected return from injury for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as well as enforcers Salmaan Moerat and Ben-Jason Dixon.
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However, lying in wait will be a resurgent Sharks team that ended things off before the break by claiming back-to-back home wins against Glasgow (28-24) and 2023 champions Munster (41-24). John Plumtree’s side currently sits in ninth place, one point outside the top eight.
Later on Saturday night, the Vodacom Bulls and Lions will look to continue their excellent starts to the season on the road.
The third-placed Bulls, who have won four of their five opening fixtures, tackle fifth-placed Connacht in Galway, having fought to a 17-15 victory over Benetton in Trevision in round six.
Meanwhile, the Lions, who trail their Gauteng neighbours by one point, will look to bounce back from a 24-6 loss to league leaders Leinster when they take on struggling Munster in Limerick. The hosts sacked coach Graeme Rowntree before the break and have also bid farewell to forwards coach Andi Kyriacou. Head of rugby operations Ian Costello has taken over as Munster’s interim head coach.
Round 7 fixtures:
Friday, November 29
Glasgow vs Scarlets (21:35)
Ulster vs Leinster (21:35)
Saturday, November 30
Sharks vs Stormers (17:00)
Cardiff vs Dragons (19:15)
Connacht vs Bulls (19:30)
Edinburgh vs Benetton (21:35)
Munster vs Lions (21:35)
Zebre vs Ospreys (21:35)
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