The 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season is almost here, with the opening round scheduled for 25–26 September 2026.
South Africa’s four representatives — the Lions, Stormers, Sharks and Bulls — will all be in action, with the Stormers and Bulls beginning their campaigns on the road while the Lions and Sharks have home fixtures.
The opening weekend also features a major test for the Lions, who host defending champions Leinster at Ellis Park.
URC Round 1 fixtures
Friday, 25 September
Benetton vs Dragons RFC
20:45 SAST — Stadio Monigo, Treviso
Connacht vs Stormers
20:45 SAST — Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Ulster vs Edinburgh
20:45 SAST — Affidea Stadium, Belfast
Saturday, 26 September
Lions vs Leinster
13:30 SAST — 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Sharks vs Ospreys
16:00 SAST — Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Munster vs Glasgow Warriors
18:30 SAST — Thomond Park, Limerick
Zebre Parma vs Bulls
18:30 SAST — Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Scarlets vs Cardiff Rugby
20:45 SAST — Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
South African teams ready for new campaign
There will be plenty of interest in the South African sides following significant player movement during the off-season.
The Stormers have added experienced Springbok stars Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe, as well as prop Wilco Louw, while the Sharks have brought in players including Thomas du Toit, Ivan van Zyl and Stephan Lewies.
The Bulls have strengthened their squad with additions such as Thaakir Abrahams, Curwin Bosch, Hanro Liebenberg, Dylan Maart and Luan Giliomee.
The Lions have also made several changes, with Boan Venter, Dan Kasende, Boeta Chamberlain and Asad Moos among their new arrivals.
Bulls squad
The Bulls’ squad includes Handré Pollard, Willie le Roux, Marcell Coetzee, Cameron Hanekom, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe and a host of other players.
Sharks squad
The Sharks squad features major names including Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, Makazole Mapimpi, Ox Nché, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jurenzo Julius and Thomas du Toit.
Stormers squad
The Stormers head into the campaign with Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse, Warrick Gelant, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Evan Roos, Ben-Jason Dixon, Cobus Reinach and several other established and emerging players.
A new team-announcement format
The URC is also introducing a coordinated team-announcement trial for the 2026/27 season.
Under the new arrangement, all 16 teams are scheduled to announce their lineups at 15:00 South African time on Thursdays during a match week, rather than releasing Friday and Saturday selections separately.
The opening weekend therefore promises plenty of intrigue, with reigning champions Leinster beginning their title defence against the Lions, while the Bulls, Stormers and Sharks look to make early statements of their own.
