‘The year that rugby chose me’
Just eight months ago, Siba Mahashe took his first steps onto the URC stage, but already, this 22-year-old loose forward is being hailed as one of South African rugby’s most promising talents. His ascent to prominence was crystallised with his selection for a Springboks alignment camp in May, setting the stage for his debut for […]
URC derby round preview and predictions
In what promises to be an electrifying weekend of South African rugby, the Sharks, sitting atop the United Rugby Championship log, and the third-placed Lions are both eyeing to maintain their unbeaten streak as they travel to confront the Stormers and Bulls. These derbies could prove pivotal in shaping the early standings of the season. […]
It’s Bok v Bok and brother v brother in the URC derby round
Round Three is set to feature the first South African derby double-header of the season, as the unbeaten Sharks head to Cape Town to clash with the formidable Stormers, while the Lions prepare to take on the Bulls in Pretoria. In a thrilling rematch of last season’s quarterfinal, the Glasgow Warriors will welcome Connacht to […]
A hard-fought homecoming: Behind the scenes of Haashim Pead’s transfer
EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning takes a peek behind the scenes of one of the most contentious transfer battles in the South African landscape. Behind the heavily secured gates of Ellis Park, an ongoing struggle has unfolded over the years. The toll of this conflict has notably fallen on the young athletes who don the Lions […]
Sharks set the pace in URC race
The Sharks and Lions emerged triumphant in their second-round home fixtures of the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship. In contrast, the travel-weary Stormers and Bulls faced disappointment in the Northern Hemisphere. In a gripping encounter this past Friday, the Capetonians succumbed to Edinburgh, falling 13-17 in Scotland as a malfunctioning lineout in gusty conditions hampered their […]
Decoding the URC’s North-South paradox
The United Rugby Championship has emerged as the definitive arena for testing survival, adaptability, and the depth of team rosters in professional rugby. Spanning two hemispheres and involving five formidable nations, this competition has significantly transformed franchise rugby, particularly since the inclusion of South African teams. Over five thrilling seasons, it’s clear that no matter […]
URC, Round Two
PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS: The United Rugby Championship enters Round Two of the 2026/27 season with high-stakes encounters, historic rivalries, and teams desperate to build early-season momentum. Following a dramatic opening weekend that flipped expectations on their head, heavyweights from Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, and Wales collide in a blockbuster slate of fixtures. The Headliner: Sharks […]
Form book torn up: Are opening weekend’s results a pointer to the season?
The opening round of the new URC season was nothing short of a statement. South Africa and Scotland dominated the weekend, while Ireland encountered an unusually disappointing start, marking a rare winless outing for all four Irish sides. In fact, it’s quite astonishing that this is the first time since 2009 that such a sweep […]
URC Round One – all you need top know
PREVIEW: The wait is finally over – the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season kicks off this weekend, and I can hardly contain my excitement! With 16 teams from Ireland, South Africa, Wales, Scotland, and Italy embarking on an intense 18-round journey, all eyes are on the ultimate prize: the Grand Final on June 19. This […]
Stormers’ Boks ‘declined’ an offer to take a break
The Stormers are celebrating the homecoming of a trio of Springboks superstars as they put the pressure on themselves to win the Vodacom URC title for a second time. They have welcomed back flank Siya Kolisi, wing Cheslin Kolbe and tighthead prop Wilco Louw following spells with the Sharks, Sungoliath and the Bulls respectively. As […]