South Africa’s four United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises face another important weekend of rugby as the competition approaches its break for next month’s Nations Championship.
The Bulls and Stormers will be eager to make home advantage count in their final matches on South African soil before the international break. Meanwhile, the Lions and Sharks are aiming to finish their overseas assignments with positive results against strong European opposition.
The action gets underway on Friday night when the Lions travel to Scotland to face Glasgow Warriors. Saturday brings three more encounters, with the Stormers hosting Ulster, the Bulls welcoming Scarlets to Pretoria and the Sharks taking on Munster in Ireland.
All four South African teams will be looking to collect valuable points as the URC campaign gathers momentum.
URC fixtures: South African teams and kick-off times
Here is the full schedule for the four South African sides this weekend, with all times listed in South African Standard Time (SAST).
| Match | Date | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow Warriors vs Lions | Friday, 30 October | 21:45 |
| Stormers vs Ulster | Saturday, 31 October | 14:45 |
| Bulls vs Scarlets | Saturday, 31 October | 17:00 |
| Munster vs Sharks | Saturday, 31 October | 19:30 |
How the four South African teams will line up
The franchises have named their squads for another demanding round of URC action. Here are the starting teams and replacements supplied for the weekend.
Lions team to face Glasgow Warriors
Starting XV: Quan Horn, Kelly Mpeku, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Erich Cronje, Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg, Francke Horne (captain), Siba Qoma, Siba Mahashe, Ruan Delport, Etienne Oosthuizen, RF Schoeman, Tiaan Lange, SJ Kotze.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, Boan Venter, Conraad van Vuuren, Dylan Sjoblom, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Nico Steyn, Richard Kriel, Boeta Chamberlain.
Stormers team to face Ulster
Starting XV: Damian Willemse, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (captain), Jonathan Roche, Leolin Zas, Yaqeen Ahmed, Cobus Reinach, Evan Roos, Louw Nel, Paul de Villiers, JD Schickerling, Adré Smith, Wilco Louw, Vernon Paulo, Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Vernon Matongo, Neethling Fouché, Riley Norton, Connor Evans, Wandile Mlaba, Haashim Pead, Wandisile Simelane.
Bulls team to face Scarlets
Starting XV: Willie le Roux, Dylan Maart, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs, Curwin Bosch, Paul de Wet, Cameron Hanekom, Hanro Liebenberg (captain), Jeandre Rudolph, JF van Heerden, Ruan Vermaak, Khutha Mchunu, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Francois Klopper, Cobus Wiese, Marcell Coetzee, Zak Burger, Sebastian de Klerk, Hakeem Kunene.
Sharks team to face Munster
Starting XV: Zekhethelo Siyaya, Edwill van der Merwe, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ethan Hooker, Jaco Williams, Gianni Lombard, Jaden Hendrikse, Nick Hatton (captain), Manu Tshituka, Matt Romao, Emile van Heerden, Jason Jenkins, Hanro Jacobs, Ethan Bester, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Esethu Mnebelele, Cameron Dawson, Thomas du Toit, Stephan Lewies, Vincent Tshituka, Ivan van Zyl, Siya Masuku, Litelihle Bester.
Full URC match details
Glasgow Warriors vs Lions
- Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
- Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
- Kick-off: 21:45 SAST
- Referee: Andrea Piardi
- TV: SuperSport
Stormers vs Ulster
- Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
- Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Kick-off: 14:45 SAST
- Referee: Sam Grove-White
- TV: SuperSport
Bulls vs Scarlets
- Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
- Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- Kick-off: 17:00 SAST
- Referee: Eoghan Cross
- TV: SuperSport
Munster vs Sharks
- Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
- Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
- Kick-off: 19:30 SAST
- Referee: Ben Connor
- TV: SuperSport
Big weekend ahead for South African rugby
With the Nations Championship break approaching, the four South African franchises have an opportunity to strengthen their
