Bulls front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels was the Player of the Match against Glasgow.
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It was a weekend of high drama and crucial wins for South Africa’s United Rugby Championship (URC) sides, as all four registered important victories that reshaped their standings and hopes in the competition.
The Vodacom Bulls set the tone with a gritty 26-19 win over defending champions Glasgow Warriors in Scotland on Friday night.
Led by a monumental defensive effort, highlighted by loosehead prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ Player-of-the-Match performance, the Pretoria brekers managed to contain Glasgow’s late surge. Tries at key moments secured the victory and, crucially, left Jake White’s team in control of their URC destiny.
With two home matches remaining, full points against the Dragons and Scarlets could see them finish second if Glasgow stumble, offering a huge advantage for the play-offs.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks produced arguably the comeback of the weekend, overcoming a shocking first half to beat Ulster 22-19 in Belfast.
Down 19-0 after just 30 minutes, and missing Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth due to flu, the Sharks rallied with immense grit. The Tshituka brothers, Vincent and Manu, were pivotal in the fightback, with Vincent scoring a crucial try.
Replacement Jurenzo Julius’ late try levelled the scores before Jordan Hendrikse’s nerve held to slot the match-winning penalty. While the Sharks are out of the play-off picture, the victory showed their character on the road.
In Cape Town, the DHL Stormers delivered a dazzling display to thrash Benetton 56-5, picking up a vital bonus-point win that solidified their place inside the top eight.
Young flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continued his incredible form, orchestrating the attack with flair and scoring 21 points through a try, drop goal, penalty, and conversions.
Flanker Paul de Villiers, named Player of the Match, was a standout up front as John Dobson’s men completely dominated both the set-piece and broken play. The result leaves the Stormers poised to break into the top five, with two home games against Welsh sides still to come.
Finally, the Emirates Lions snapped a painful five-match losing streak with a 26-7 victory over Connacht at Ellis Park.
In a cagey contest low on entertainment but high on determination, youngster Renzo du Plessis shone, scoring early and earning Player of the Match honours for his relentless energy. Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter kept the scoreboard ticking with penalties, and late tries by JC Pretorius and Edwill van der Merwe sealed a much-needed morale boost.
Though their play-off hopes remain slim, the Lions live to fight another day.
With the Bulls and Stormers now in prime play-off positions, and the Lions clinging to faint hope, the South African sides head into the final rounds with everything to play for – and momentum very much on their side.