Official United Rugby Championship thread

[Sards]

Little bit Roos

Poor kid. Hope he has a get out clause

[OomStruisbaai]

How can the $hark$ miss such rugby talent?

[assfly]

Roos must have a terrible agent.

[Chilli]

Maybe he just stands out as good in a shitty WP team.

[OomStruisbaai]

$hark$ are the shitty team's bitch.

Think they can't identify good young talent.

[Sards]

Maybe he just stands out as good in a shitty WP team.

It's really distressing that the youngsters from the Paarl aren't converting at CC level. WP should start looking at some of the talent from the KZN region

[OomStruisbaai]

Maybe he just stands out as good in a shitty WP team.

It's really distressing that the youngsters from the Paarl aren't converting at CC level. WP should start looking at some of the talent from the KZN region

Nama Xaba

[Jim Lahey]

Can we have a roll-call before the Super-Dooper United Rugby Championship begins?

I've lost my PR login so will have to resort to using NPR. I will need some basic facts from each of you before the trolling can start.

Nationality and club please.

Me: Irish and Ulster.

As mentioned previously I fully expect us to start well and look like world beaters before shitting the bed as per usual once the Irish inter-pros come around usually in late October, then have a stinker of a December-February, before a late flourish to scrape into the playoffs before getting hammered by Leinster or Munster at some point.

[sorCrer]

Can we have a roll-call before the Super-Dooper United Rugby Championship begins?

I've lost my PR login so will have to resort to using NPR. I will need some basic facts from each of you before the trolling can start.

Nationality and club please.

Me: Irish and Ulster.

As mentioned previously I fully expect us to start well and look like world beaters before shitting the bed as per usual once the Irish inter-pros come around usually in late October, then have a stinker of a December-February, before a late flourish to scrape into the playoffs before getting hammered by Leinster or Munster at some point.

Saffa - Bulls

[OomStruisbaai]

Can we have a roll-call before the Super-Dooper United Rugby Championship begins?

I've lost my PR login so will have to resort to using NPR. I will need some basic facts from each of you before the trolling can start.

Nationality and club please.

Me: Irish and Ulster.

As mentioned previously I fully expect us to start well and look like world beaters before shitting the bed as per usual once the Irish inter-pros come around usually in late October, then have a stinker of a December-February, before a late flourish to scrape into the playoffs before getting hammered by Leinster or Munster at some point.

Welcome on board.
I am Oom Struisbaai, part of the Braai team.
I like your green jerseys. Hope you are a better loser then some of the Poms we have here.

We need more Irish here.

[FalseBayFC]

Sharks supporter here, in exile in the land of the Stormers.
My starting lineup for the URC with everyone fit and back from Bok duty. Replacements in preferred order. The squad includes 10 capped Boks.

My hopes for this season are a semi-final finish but will be happy with top 6. I can see us having one of the more exciting backlines in the competition but our pack has failed to dominate and our loose trio is fairly green. We also have a flyhalf issue. Cronje is a reliable journeyman, Chamberlain still learning but has potential, Bosch is a flake. I hope Bonilla can step up and be a matchwinner for us. He does have terrific hair and looks like he tans well. His highlights reel is also purty.



The Sharks attract a lot of bitterness in South Africa chiefly because they are a wealthy glamorous side that dresses well off the field and like to show off their physiques on the beach. I suspect the haters are just envious of our success with women.

Rookie watch - I expect Tinotende Masvere - explosive flank from Zim and Ntuthuko Mchunu an exciting prop to do some good things. Marnus Potgieter (wing) and Mpilo Gumede (loosie) have had a couple of senior games but are very athletic and have big futures.

15 - Fassi / Bosch/ Anthony Volmink
14 - Sbu Nkosi/ Thaakir Abrahams/Yaw Penxe
13 - Lukhanyo Am/Werner Kok/ Jeremy Ward
12 - Marius Louw/Ben Tapuai
11 - Makazole Mapimpi /Eduan Keyter/Marnus Potgieter
10 - Lionel Cronje/ Joaquin Diaz Bonilla/Boeta Chamberlain
9 - Grant Williams/Jaden Hendrickse/ Sanele Nohamba
8 - Phepsi Buthelezi/ Notshe
7 - Siya Kolisi/ Dylan Richardson/Tinotende Masvere/Mpilo Gumede
6 - Henco Venter/Thembelani Bholi/Olajuwon Noa
5 - Gerbrandt Grobler/Le Roux Roets
4 - Ruben van Heerden/ Reniel Hugo/Emile van Heerden
3 - Thomas du Toit/Hanro Jacobs/ Wiehahn Herbst
2 - Bongi Mbonambi/Dan Jooste/Fez Mbatha/Kerron van Vuuren
1 - Ox Nche/Mchunu/Mona/Majola

[Sards]

Sharks supporter here, in exile in the land of the Stormers.
My starting lineup for the URC with everyone fit and back from Bok duty. Replacements in preferred order. The squad includes 10 capped Boks.

My hopes for this season are a semi-final finish but will be happy with top 6. I can see us having one of the more exciting backlines in the competition but our pack has failed to dominate and our loose trio is fairly green. We also have a flyhalf issue. Cronje is a reliable journeyman, Chamberlain still learning but has potential, Bosch is a flake. I hope Bonilla can step up and be a matchwinner for us. He does have terrific hair and looks like he tans well. His highlights reel is also purty.



The Sharks attract a lot of bitterness in South Africa chiefly because they are a wealthy glamorous side that dresses well off the field and like to show off their physiques on the beach. I suspect the haters are just envious of our success with women.

Rookie watch - I expect Tinotende Masvere - explosive flank from Zim and Ntuthuko Mchunu an exciting prop to do some good things. Marnus Potgieter (wing) and Mpilo Gumede (loosie) have had a couple of senior games but are very athletic and have big futures.

15 - Fassi / Bosch/ Anthony Volmink
14 - Sbu Nkosi/ Thaakir Abrahams/Yaw Penxe
13 - Lukhanyo Am/Werner Kok/ Jeremy Ward
12 - Marius Louw/Ben Tapuai
11 - Makazole Mapimpi /Eduan Keyter/Marnus Potgieter
10 - Lionel Cronje/ Joaquin Diaz Bonilla/Boeta Chamberlain
9 - Grant Williams/Jaden Hendrickse/ Sanele Nohamba
8 - Phepsi Buthelezi/ Notshe
7 - Siya Kolisi/ Dylan Richardson/Tinotende Masvere/Mpilo Gumede
6 - Henco Venter/Thembelani Bholi/Olajuwon Noa
5 - Gerbrandt Grobler/Le Roux Roets
4 - Ruben van Heerden/ Reniel Hugo/Emile van Heerden
3 - Thomas du Toit/Hanro Jacobs/ Wiehahn Herbst
2 - Bongi Mbonambi/Dan Jooste/Fez Mbatha/Kerron van Vuuren
1 - Ox Nche/Mchunu/Mona/Majola

Excelent summary

[average joe]

He forgot Poepies Pienaar.

[Chilli]

Have the WP been kicked out of this competition yet?

I need a team to support.

[FalseBayFC]

He forgot Poepies Pienaar.

Oh yes! Forgot about him. He's half a Shark already. Returning to his other roots. Be great to have his knowledge rubbing off on the youngsters.

[OomStruisbaai]

Have the WP been kicked out of this competition yet?

I need a team to support.

Me to. The Sharks need some WP imports in their coaching department. Will probably support them. Didn't work on the weekend.

[OomStruisbaai]

Have the WP been kicked out of this competition yet?

I need a team to support.

WP Rugby

DHL Stormers bolstered by trio of loan players for URC
Loose forwards Junior Pokomela and Willie Engelbrecht and scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer have joined the DHL Stormers on loan ahead of the United Rugby Championship.
Pokomela and Ungerer both bring experience of playing in the Guinness PRO14, while Engelbrecht was with the DHL Stormers for the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA earlier this year.
The athletic Pokomela is a former SA Schools and Junior Springbok loose forward, who has played for the Toyota Cheetahs for the last four years.
Engelbrecht and Ungerer both join from the New Nation Pumas, where they made significant contributions in the recent Carling Currie Cup campaign.
Engelbrecht is a powerful loose forward, while Ungerer is a seasoned scrumhalf with both Vodacom Super Rugby and Guinness PRO14 experience.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that all three players will add to the depth in the squad ahead of the exciting new competition, which will see the DHL Stormers start their campaign with a four-match tour of Europe.
“These three players are all proven performers who will complement the resources we already have going forward.
“We leave for what will be a demanding tour at the end of this week, so having these players on the plane with us is a significant boost,” he said.
Dobson added that he is looking forward to seeing what these players can do in a DHL Stormers jersey.
“Willie was with us earlier this year and showed that he is not the type to take a backwards step. Junior has a wide range of skills and is an impressive athlete, while Stefan is a smart player who has shown an ability to control the game well,” he said.
Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR) Chairman Ebrahim Rasool said that it was vital to bolster the squad with quality players ahead of the United Rugby Championship.
“This competition will be a challenging one, so we had to ensure that whoever we brought in would be able to hit the ground running.
“We are confident in the abilities that these three players have and look forward to seeing what they can contribute in the United Rugby Championship.
“We will also be announcing some further signings before we confirm our final squad for the tournament and the team leaves this weekend,” he said.

[FalseBayFC]

Have the WP been kicked out of this competition yet?

I need a team to support.

WP Rugby

DHL Stormers bolstered by trio of loan players for URC
Loose forwards Junior Pokomela and Willie Engelbrecht and scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer have joined the DHL Stormers on loan ahead of the United Rugby Championship.
Pokomela and Ungerer both bring experience of playing in the Guinness PRO14, while Engelbrecht was with the DHL Stormers for the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA earlier this year.
The athletic Pokomela is a former SA Schools and Junior Springbok loose forward, who has played for the Toyota Cheetahs for the last four years.
Engelbrecht and Ungerer both join from the New Nation Pumas, where they made significant contributions in the recent Carling Currie Cup campaign.
Engelbrecht is a powerful loose forward, while Ungerer is a seasoned scrumhalf with both Vodacom Super Rugby and Guinness PRO14 experience.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that all three players will add to the depth in the squad ahead of the exciting new competition, which will see the DHL Stormers start their campaign with a four-match tour of Europe.
“These three players are all proven performers who will complement the resources we already have going forward.
“We leave for what will be a demanding tour at the end of this week, so having these players on the plane with us is a significant boost,” he said.
Dobson added that he is looking forward to seeing what these players can do in a DHL Stormers jersey.
“Willie was with us earlier this year and showed that he is not the type to take a backwards step. Junior has a wide range of skills and is an impressive athlete, while Stefan is a smart player who has shown an ability to control the game well,” he said.
Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR) Chairman Ebrahim Rasool said that it was vital to bolster the squad with quality players ahead of the United Rugby Championship.
“This competition will be a challenging one, so we had to ensure that whoever we brought in would be able to hit the ground running.
“We are confident in the abilities that these three players have and look forward to seeing what they can contribute in the United Rugby Championship.
“We will also be announcing some further signings before we confirm our final squad for the tournament and the team leaves this weekend,” he said.

Pokomela and Engelbrecht are real value. Ungerer a bt meh! You guys should target Gideon van der Merwe too. He would go great in your team. But WP are thin at lock, midfield and back three too. You'll need a few more decent signings there to build up depth.

[OomStruisbaai]

Ungerer is great. Godlen is honne kak. Look like Ernst van Rhyn will move to lock. Orie will also be back. Our backline came to light in the matches against the Sharks and Bulls. Libbok and Gelant will add extra.

[FalseBayFC]

Ungerer is great. Godlen is honne kak. Look like Ernst van Rhyn will move to lock. Orie will also be back. Our backline came to light in the matches against the Sharks and Bulls. Libbok and Gelant will add extra.

Ungerer is a Sharks journeyman reject. Ernst van Rhyn is a 1.94cm flank. You need to start shopping around the Jukskei area, Affies and the Northern areas produce the really tall timber.

[assfly]

Two weeks to go. Yikes.

[Sards]

Two weeks to go. Yikes.

The wife is already bitching about the weekend rugby....

[OomStruisbaai]

Ungerer is great. Godlen is honne kak. Look like Ernst van Rhyn will move to lock. Orie will also be back. Our backline came to light in the matches against the Sharks and Bulls. Libbok and Gelant will add extra.

Ungerer is a Sharks journeyman reject. Ernst van Rhyn is a 1.94cm flank. You need to start shopping around the Jukskei area, Affies and the Northern areas produce the really tall timber.

Moerat, Meihuizen, Orie and Ernst van Rhyn. Johan du Toit was also used. He is such a kak flanker better to use him in the locks.

[dkm57]

Now the safas are involved we should drop the united and just call it the ORCS thread

[Chilli]

When will we hear that the STORMERS have been withdrawn and replaced by the Cheetahs?

[Sards]

When will we hear that the STORMERS have been withdrawn and replaced by the Cheetahs?

it was idle threats....SARU have too much invested in players salaries at WP to abandon that horse......

[handyman]

When will we hear that the STORMERS have been withdrawn and replaced by the Cheetahs?

it was idle threats....SARU have too much invested in players salaries at WP to abandon that horse......

I would argue that the saaks are the ones in trouble. That capitulation in the final was a line in the sand moment for them. Not sure how a team can come back from that.

[Sards]

When will we hear that the STORMERS have been withdrawn and replaced by the Cheetahs?

it was idle threats....SARU have too much invested in players salaries at WP to abandon that horse......

I would argue that the saaks are the ones in trouble. That capitulation in the final was a line in the sand moment for them. Not sure how a team can come back from that.

Come talk to me when the Stormers make a final again....will probably be against the Sharks....

[handyman]

it was idle threats....SARU have too much invested in players salaries at WP to abandon that horse......

I would argue that the saaks are the ones in trouble. That capitulation in the final was a line in the sand moment for them. Not sure how a team can come back from that.

Come talk to me when the Stormers make a final again....will probably be against the Sharks....

44-10 lad. Total capitulation. I think you guys even bought lube for the Bulls.

What action are you taking to make sure this does not happen again?

[OomStruisbaai]

Lions squad:

Forwards (19) – PJ Botha, Morne Brandon, Ruan Dreyer, Jannie Du Plessis, Francke Horn, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Jaco Kriel, Morgan Naude, Reinhard Nothnagel, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Carlu Sadie, Sibusiso Sangweni, Ruben Schoeman, Sti Sithole, Ruhan Straeuli, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Wilhelm van der Sluys and Jaco Visagie.

Backs (14) – Eddie Fouche, Jordan Hendrikse, Sibahle Maxwane, Matt More, Burger Odendaal, Stean Pienaar, Manuel Rass, Divan Rossouw, Wandisile Simelane, Ginter Smuts, Jamba Ulengo, Morne van den Berg, EW Viljoen and Andre Warner

[Sards]

I would argue that the saaks are the ones in trouble. That capitulation in the final was a line in the sand moment for them. Not sure how a team can come back from that.

Come talk to me when the Stormers make a final again....will probably be against the Sharks....

44-10 lad. Total capitulation. I think you guys even bought lube for the Bulls.

What action are you taking to make sure this does not happen again?

When we are a finacially distraught union bleeding top players to another franchise ( like the Sharks ).....then I will worry.....thanks for the concern

[handyman]

Come talk to me when the Stormers make a final again....will probably be against the Sharks....

44-10 lad. Total capitulation. I think you guys even bought lube for the Bulls.

What action are you taking to make sure this does not happen again?

When we are a finacially distraught union bleeding top players to another franchise ( like the Sharks ).....then I will worry.....thanks for the concern

Wow, you are going to take that loss without complaint? Not doing anything is condoning what happened on Saturday. Thought you were a bigger fan than that, much more involved rather than a casual fan.

[Sards]

44-10 lad. Total capitulation. I think you guys even bought lube for the Bulls.

What action are you taking to make sure this does not happen again?

When we are a finacially distraught union bleeding top players to another franchise ( like the Sharks ).....then I will worry.....thanks for the concern

Wow, you are going to take that loss without complaint? Not doing anything is condoning what happened on Saturday. Thought you were a bigger fan than that, much more involved rather than a casual fan.

I think you will find that our situations are completely different....good luck going forward in the tournament

[handyman]

When we are a finacially distraught union bleeding top players to another franchise ( like the Sharks ).....then I will worry.....thanks for the concern

Wow, you are going to take that loss without complaint? Not doing anything is condoning what happened on Saturday. Thought you were a bigger fan than that, much more involved rather than a casual fan.

I think you will find that our situations are completely different....good luck going forward in the tournament

Would you say the issue at the saaks is too much money or is it attitude? How can you be that flat for a Currie Cup final?

[assfly]

Lions squad:

Forwards (19) – PJ Botha, Morne Brandon, Ruan Dreyer, Jannie Du Plessis, Francke Horn, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Jaco Kriel, Morgan Naude, Reinhard Nothnagel, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Carlu Sadie, Sibusiso Sangweni, Ruben Schoeman, Sti Sithole, Ruhan Straeuli, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Wilhelm van der Sluys and Jaco Visagie.

Backs (14) – Eddie Fouche, Jordan Hendrikse, Sibahle Maxwane, Matt More, Burger Odendaal, Stean Pienaar, Manuel Rass, Divan Rossouw, Wandisile Simelane, Ginter Smuts, Jamba Ulengo, Morne van den Berg, EW Viljoen and Andre Warner

Eish. There is talent there, but I get the feeling this could be a long, hard tournament for them.

[OomStruisbaai]

Wow, you are going to take that loss without complaint? Not doing anything is condoning what happened on Saturday. Thought you were a bigger fan than that, much more involved rather than a casual fan.

I think you will find that our situations are completely different....good luck going forward in the tournament

Would you say the issue at the saaks is too much money or is it attitude? How can you be that flat for a Currie Cup final?

Can you two please stop this cock swinging contest. This is a new competition with one log which mean we should support all our teams.

The NH lot is waiting for us.

[SaintK]

I think you will find that our situations are completely different....good luck going forward in the tournament

Would you say the issue at the saaks is too much money or is it attitude? How can you be that flat for a Currie Cup final?

Can you two please stop this cock swinging contest. This is a new competition with one log which mean we should support all our teams.

The NH lot is waiting for us.

Not all of us thanks

[Slick]

I think you will find that our situations are completely different....good luck going forward in the tournament

Would you say the issue at the saaks is too much money or is it attitude? How can you be that flat for a Currie Cup final?

Can you two please stop this cock swinging contest. This is a new competition with one log which mean we should support all our teams.

The NH lot is waiting for us.

I'd say "resigned to" rather than "waiting for"

[robmatic]

In all honesty, I'm actually looking forward to the URC. The European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup have dreadful formats this year and the URC seems relatively well put together and competitive.

[OomStruisbaai]

Yep I like the format. It's going to be interesting to see how the Saffer teams do in the NH. Hope they start well after non stop playing for a long time.