URC team news: SA sides packed with Bok players for derby Saturday
The four South African URC teams have named strong lineups for the first round of local derbies this weekend.
The 2026/27 season of the United Rugby Championship enters its third round, with South African sides hosting their local derby matches this weekend. The Bulls will face the Lions at home, while the Stormers welcome the Sharks. All four teams are in good form and have opted for full-strength sides, featuring several Springboks in their matchday squads.
For the Bulls, Johan Ackermann has chosen a formidable team, with six Springboks starting and four more on the bench. Canan Moodie will play wing, Cameron Hanekom will be at eight, Hanro Liebenberg at blindside, and Jeandre Rudolph at six. Marco van Staden will be on the bench as hooker, while Cobus Wiese, Elrigh Louw, and Handre Pollard occupy those positions.
In contrast, the Lions have assembled arguably their strongest current lineup, featuring Springboks Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, and Boan Venter in the starting XV. Ethan Adams will play inside centre, while Nico Steyn and Boeta Chamberlain are the only replacements on the bench. Erich Cronje misses out due to injury.
The Stormers have selected a matchday-23 squad with 11 Springboks, including Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Paul de Villiers, and recent new recruits Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw. Young guns Riley Norton and new scrumhalf recruit Haashim Pead also find their way into the squad.
Finally, the Sharks have named nine Springboks in their starting XV, with four more on the bench. Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche, and Ethan Hooker are included in the starting lineup, while Zekhethelo Siyaya gets an opportunity at fullback.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
