Three South African teams secure Vodacom URC play-off spots as Stormers join Bulls and Sharks

South African rugby fans had plenty to cheer about this past weekend as three of the nation’s franchises – the DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, and Hollywoodbets Sharks – officially booked their places in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-finals. It was a pivotal penultimate round that saw all three teams claim vital victories, while the Emirates Lions bowed out of the play-off race following a crushing home defeat.

With just one round left in the league stage, the Bulls, Sharks, and Stormers now shift their focus to final positioning and playoff readiness, while the Lions are left playing for pride.

Sharks Lock In a Home Quarter-Final

The Sharks got the ball rolling in Round 17 with a clinical 29-10 win over the Ospreys on Friday night at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. While the result ensured a coveted home quarter-final for the Durban-based team, coach John Plumtree was quick to acknowledge the need for sharper execution as the play-offs approach.

“We’re obviously pleased with the win and the bonus point, but we know we’ll need to lift our intensity and accuracy if we want to go deep in this competition,” said Plumtree.

The match was marred by the early injury exit of captain Eben Etzebeth, who limped off with a knee problem in the second quarter. His availability for the play-offs remains uncertain.

Despite that setback, the Sharks dominated territory and possession. Tries from Jason Jenkins, Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, and Phepsi Buthelezi, along with accurate kicking from Siya Masuku and Aphelele Fassi, secured the win.

The Ospreys’ slim play-off hopes were extinguished with the loss.

Bulls Bullish After Beating Cardiff

On Saturday, the Bulls thrilled fans at Loftus Versfeld with a commanding 45-21 victory over Cardiff, powered by a sensational first-half blitz that left the visitors reeling at 31-0 by halftime.

The Pretoria side ran in six tries, with standout performances from Harold Vorster, Wilco Louw, Canan Moodie, Cameron Hanekom, and Sebastian de Klerk, who scored a brace. Flyhalf Johan Goosen kicked an early penalty and a conversion before leaving the field injured, handing over the reins to Keagan Johannes.

Despite a late Cardiff surge that saw them score three tries in the final 20 minutes, Bulls coach Jake White was pleased with his team’s progression and physicality.

“We’ve put ourselves in a great position with a home quarter-final. There are still areas to tighten up, especially our second-half defence, but we’re trending in the right direction,” said White.

The Bulls now sit in second place on the URC log with 63 points, just behind leaders Leinster (72).

Stormers Shine in Soggy Cape Town

The Stormers showed resilience and attacking flair in their 48-12 triumph over the Dragons at a rainy DHL Stadium in Cape Town. After a frustrating first half riddled with handling errors, the Stormers unleashed a dominant second stanza, scoring five tries in the final 40 minutes.

Wandisile Simelane opened the scoring in style in the very first minute and later added a second in the dying minutes. He was joined on the scoresheet by Seabelo Senatla, Stefan Ungerer, Damian Willemse, Suleiman Hartzenberg, and Paul de Wet.

The match also marked a special milestone for Damian Willemse, who made his 100th appearance for the franchise.

“This team has grown so much, and to contribute on my 100th cap in front of our fans is something I’ll never forget,” said Willemse after the match.

Coach John Dobson lauded his side’s patience in the wet weather, emphasising their hunger and unity ahead of their final pool fixture against Cardiff next weekend.

The victory elevated the Stormers to fifth place on the table with 50 points and keeps them firmly in contention for a favourable play-off seeding.

Lions Fall Short in Final Stretch

While their SA counterparts celebrated play-off qualification, the Lions faced heartbreak in Johannesburg, where they fell 32-19 to a determined Scarlets outfit. The Lions started the match with strong intent but were repeatedly undone by handling errors and poor discipline at key moments.

Despite tries from Nico Steyn and a brace by Richard Kriel, the Lions couldn’t overturn a halftime deficit and now sit in 13th place on the standings with 35 points, officially eliminated from quarter-final contention.

The Scarlets, meanwhile, climbed to sixth with 48 points and remain in the thick of the play-off hunt alongside Benetton, Munster, Cardiff, and Edinburgh, all of whom are separated by just four points.

The Road Ahead: One Round Left

As the league phase winds down, the final round of fixtures carries plenty of weight:

• The Sharks will host the Scarlets and hope that Leinster can beat Glasgow Warriors, which could move the Sharks into third place.
• The Stormers will look to solidify a fifth-place finish with a win over Cardiff at home.
• The Bulls will aim to secure second spot – and possibly a home semi-final – with a strong showing in their final fixture.
• The Lions will play for pride when they welcome the Ospreys to Emirates Airline Park.

With three teams firmly in the quarter-finals and the potential for all of them to host at least the first playoff match, South African rugby’s presence in the Vodacom URC playoffs has never looked stronger.

As the playoffs loom, one thing is clear: the South African challenge is very much alive, and the next few weeks promise drama, passion, and potentially more silverware for the Rainbow Nation.

Current Top 6 URC Standings After Round 17:

1. Leinster – 72 pts
2. Vodacom Bulls – 63 pts
3. Glasgow Warriors – 61 pts
4. Hollywoodbets Sharks – 58 pts
5. DHL Stormers – 50 pts
6. Scarlets – 48 pts

Will the Bulls, Sharks, or Stormers rise to claim URC glory this season? Only time – and the final round – will tell.