Rugby fever hits South Africa as Bulls and Sharks secure home playoffs

Rugby fans in Pretoria and Durban, get ready – knockout rugby is coming to your doorstep!

And for those fans in Kimberley keen to escape a weekend of dry taps in the Diamond City, this could be the perfect excuse to indulge your appetite for rugby and being able to flush ...

After a thrilling final round of Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) pool-stage action this past weekend, South African fans have plenty to be excited about.

Two of the country’s powerhouses – the Vodacom Bulls and the Hollywoodbets Sharks – will host home quarter-finals on Saturday, May 31. This gives local supporters the rare and golden opportunity to witness live play-off action on home soil.

Loftus and Kings Park Ready to Roar

In Pretoria, the Bulls are riding high after a scintillating 55-15 demolition of the Dragons. The nine-try masterclass at Loftus Versfeld was not just a statement of form – it was a deeply emotional tribute to former teammate Cornal Hendricks, who tragically passed away earlier this week. The result confirmed the Bulls' second-place finish on the URC log, setting up a spicy quarter-final against Edinburgh.

With their forwards and backs in perfect synergy and the likes of Akker van der Merwe, Sergeal Petersen, and Marcell Coetzee in lethal form, the Pretoria outfit looks more than ready for the knockouts. Expect Loftus to be packed and pulsating – a fortress the Bulls will be determined to defend with passion.

Meanwhile, down in Durban, it wasn’t pretty – but it was enough.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks battled to a gritty 12-3 win over the Scarlets, with Aphelele Fassi’s boot proving the difference in a match dominated by handling errors and tactical kicking. While their attack misfired, their defence was watertight – and the win earned them third place on the standings.

Now, the Shark Tank will come alive on May 31 when the men in black take on Munster, with a semi-final berth on the line. Coach John Plumtree will surely demand more from his troops, but the Durban faithful will back their side to dig deep and deliver on home turf.

Stormers to Face a Battle in Glasgow

Not to be left out, the DHL Stormers also secured a play-off spot after an action-packed 34-24 win against Cardiff at the DHL Stadium on Friday. With Leolin Zas and Suleiman Hartzenberg both grabbing braces and Connor Evans adding the fifth, the Capetonians looked sharp in attack.

However, their fifth-place finish means they must now travel to Scotland to face Glasgow Warriors on Friday, May 30.

Coach John Dobson’s men have a tough road ahead, but their expansive brand of rugby can hurt anyone, anywhere – and they'll be aiming to spoil the Scottish party.

Lions Finish with a Bang

While the Emirates Lions missed out on the play-offs, they ended their campaign on a high with a thrilling 29-28 win over the Ospreys at Emirates Airline Park. It was a match full of heart, fight, and a dramatic final play – as Lubabalo Dobela sealed the victory with a last-gasp try in front of a roaring home crowd.

Though the Johannesburg side finished 11th overall, their never-say-die attitude showed the promise that exists in this young team. It was a fitting send-off to a campaign that saw plenty of character and development, and fans can look ahead to next season with optimism.

Home Advantage: South Africa Gets its Moment

In a tournament that sees teams travel across time zones and hemispheres, home advantage matters – and South Africa now has a unique chance to make it count.

Fans in Pretoria and Durban are urged to get behind their teams. Playoff rugby is a different beast – it’s intense, emotional, and often decided in the final minutes. But the crowd can be the extra player. The energy in the stands, the sea of colours, the chants – it all counts.

This is the moment local supporters have been waiting for. Two home quarter-finals. Two chances to push South African teams into the URC semi-finals.

Don’t miss it. Be there. Be loud. Be part of history.

URC Quarter-Finals Fixture Line-Up:

Friday, 30 May

• Glasgow Warriors vs DHL Stormers – Glasgow, Scotland

Saturday, 31 May

• Vodacom Bulls vs Edinburgh – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
• Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Munster – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
• Leinster vs Scarlets – Dublin, Ireland