{
  "id": 11202805,
  "title": "URC team news: Kolisi returns for Stormers, as Lions, Bulls and Sharks name teams for round 2",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/urc-team-news-kolisi-returns-for-stormers-as-lions-bulls-and-sharks",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T13:41:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/kolisi-returns-stormers-lions-bulls-sharks-teams/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Siya Kolisi makes his long-awaited return to the Stormers lineup for their URC match against Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium, wearing the number six jersey. Louw Nel shifts to blindside flanker while Riley Norton assumes the second row position. Ntuthuko Mchunu steps up to the front row in place of Nokuthula Mkhize. In the backline, Yaqeen Ahmed replaces Jurie Matthee as flyhalf, with Stefan Ungerer stepping in for Andre Warner on the bench. The Lions, meanwhile, welcome back Springboks Morne van den Berg and Quan Horn for their URC clash against Ospreys. Both players make an impact as bench players, as the Lions adjust their match day 23 with Siba Qoma replacing Batho Hlekani in the loose trio. Ethan Adams takes over at number nine, while the rest of the squad remains unchanged. The Bulls have also made changes to their match day 23 ahead of their URC encounter against Munster. Khutha Mchunu steps into the squad as a replacement for injured Mornay Smith, while Hakeem Kunene takes over at fullback in place of Willie le Roux. The Sharks have also brought back several Springboks for their URC match against defending champions Leinster. Captain Andre Esterhuizen leads the team, with Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche, and Ethan Hooker set to make an impact from the bench.",
  "summary": "Siya Kolisi features for the Stormers against Edinburgh, while the Lions, Bulls and Sharks name their round 2 teams.",
  "key_points": [
    "Siya Kolisi returns to Stormers lineup as number six",
    "Morne van den Berg and Quan Horn join Lions bench",
    "Andre Esterhuizen leads Sharks team"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Siya Kolisi starts as Yaqeen Ahmed takes reins at flyhalf for Stormers against Edinburgh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/siya-kolisi-starts-as-yaqeen-ahmed-takes-reins-at-flyhalf-for",
        "published": "2026-10-01T13:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}