URC SA team news: Round one action
Here is all the team news you need about the four South African teams in action in round one of the URC this weekend.
The 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season begins on Friday with all four South African teams competing in round one across the weekend. The Stormers face Connacht in Galway, Ireland, on Friday at 8.45pm, while the Lions host Leinster at 1.30pm on Saturday, followed by the Sharks welcoming Ospreys at 4pm, and the Bulls traveling to Zebre in Italy at 6.30pm. We provide a breakdown of the team news for each South African outfit.
For the Lions, Coach Ivan van Rooyen has picked a familiar side for their opening match against Leinster on Saturday. Francke Horn will lead the team from No. 8, joined by Batho Hlekani and Siba Mahashe in the loose trio. Boeta Chamberlain will be at fullback, with Nico Steyn at scrumhalf. Boan Venter will make his URC debut as a prop. On the bench, young scrumhalf Zian Cilliers and center Ethan Adams are also set to make their debuts for the Lions.
The Bulls, under coach Johan Ackermann, have included Curwin Bosch at flyhalf for their opener against Zebre in Italy. Sebastian de Klerk will play on the right wing after an injury-hit last season. Paul de Wet is at scrumhalf, while Jeandre Rudolph starts at No. 8. Hanro Liebenberg returns in blue after several seasons playing in England. Cheswill Jooste and Hakeem Kunene will also be on the bench for the Bulls.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
