Official United Rugby Championship thread

[assfly]

Why?

If he'd waited a few days, he could have negotiated a deal with the Bulls to earn some serious cash. Instead he's signed up to a broke union that can't even make the Currie Cup final.

[OomStruisbaai]

Why?

If he'd waited a few days, he could have negotiated a deal with the Bulls to earn some serious cash. Instead he's signed up to a broke union that can't even make the Currie Cup final.

ont want to start another cock swing contest. Thought you lot had a problem about Willemse contract value. Jake dont want to offer on Sharks rejects.

[assfly]

ont want to start another cock swing contest. Thought you lot had a problem about Willemse contract value. Jake dont want to offer on Sharks rejects.

You asked, I answered.

Marcel Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Madosh Tambwe. Jake White LOVES Sharks rejects.

[OomStruisbaai]

ont want to start another cock swing contest. Thought you lot had a problem about Willemse contract value. Jake dont want to offer on Sharks rejects.

You asked, I answered.

Marcel Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Madosh Tambwe. Jake White LOVES Sharks rejects.

They rejected the Sharks for more money. Evan Roos was rejected and given to WP on loan. Jake don't need him.

[assfly]

Jake don't need him.

You're probably right. I'm sure his scouts are already looking for a capable replacement (i.e. white and over 30)

[Chilli]

Jake don't need him.

You're probably right. I'm sure his scouts are already looking for a capable replacement (i.e. white and over 30)

Yeah, ok, but I'm a prop or hooker, not an 8.

[assfly]

[Sards]

ont want to start another cock swing contest. Thought you lot had a problem about Willemse contract value. Jake dont want to offer on Sharks rejects.

You asked, I answered.

Marcel Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Madosh Tambwe. Jake White LOVES Sharks rejects.

They rejected the Sharks for more money. Evan Roos was rejected and given to WP on loan. Jake don't need him.

Jake is smart...smarter than you think...oh but you should know by now.....
Just remember...this is Evans breakout year......lets see when we play up north ne'

[OomStruisbaai]

You asked, I answered.

Marcel Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Madosh Tambwe. Jake White LOVES Sharks rejects.

They rejected the Sharks for more money. Evan Roos was rejected and given to WP on loan. Jake don't need him.

Jake is smart...smarter than you think...oh but you should know by now.....
Just remember...this is Evans breakout year......lets see when we play up north ne'

Yep, he is still a laaitie. Not good enough for the $hark$

[Sards]

The Cell C Sharks touring squad:

Forwards

Dan Jooste
Dylan Richardson
Fez Mbatha
Gebrandt Grobler
Henco Venter
Hyron Andrews
James Venter
Kerron van Vuuren
Khutha Mchunu
Khwezi Mona
Le Roux Roets
Lourens Adriaanse
Mpilo Gumede
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Phepsi Buthelezi
Reniel Hugo
Ruben van Heerden
Thembelani Bholi
Thomas du Toit
Wiehahn Herbst
Backs:

Anthony Volmink
Boeta Chamberlain
Curwin Bosch
Jeremy Ward
Marius Louw
Marnus Potgieter
Murray Koster
Ruan Pienaar
Rynhardt Jonker
Sanele Nohamba
Thaakir Abrahams
Tian Meyer
Werner Kok
Yaw Penxe
Fez Mbathu


Great to see him back

[fishfoodie]

Only seven sleeps to go kids

[assfly]

Only seven sleeps to go kids

Or eight if you're going to watch the Springbok game

[OomStruisbaai]

Good luck to them, will support them in the next 4 rounds.

Wont laugh at the players like the $hark$ popped collar lots habit is.

[Sards]

Good luck to them, will support them in the next 4 rounds.

Wont laugh at the players like the $hark$ popped collar lots habit is.

Like Jayden Leyds.....

Those legs dude......

[OomStruisbaai]

Good luck to them, will support them in the next 4 rounds.

Wont laugh at the players like the $hark$ popped collar lots habit is.

Like Jayden Leyds.....

Those legs dude......

You have Bart Simpson on your stoep. That vokken kop.

[Sards]

Good luck to them, will support them in the next 4 rounds.

Wont laugh at the players like the $hark$ popped collar lots habit is.

Like Jayden Leyds.....

Those legs dude......

You have Bart Simpson on your stoep. That vokken kop.

Who is that?

[handyman]

Like Jayden Leyds.....

Those legs dude......

You have Bart Simpson on your stoep. That vokken kop.

Who is that?

Boet, since you are hating on the Boks, what about a sig bet? I choose Boks, you choose Wallabies. 2 weeks...

[OomStruisbaai]

You have Bart Simpson on your stoep. That vokken kop.

Who is that?

Boet, since you are hating on the Boks, what about a sig bet? I choose Boks, you choose Wallabies. 2 weeks...

Try Grandpa or Gumboots, they will take it.

[Sards]

You have Bart Simpson on your stoep. That vokken kop.

Who is that?

Boet, since you are hating on the Boks, what about a sig bet? I choose Boks, you choose Wallabies. 2 weeks...

Hey...who said I hate on the boks....I hate the gameplan....with a vokken passion. I cringe every time Faf box kicks

[bok_viking]

Bulls Tour Squad

Props: Lizo Gqoboka, Gerhard Steenekamp, Simphiwe Matanzima, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Jacques van Rooyen, Robert Hunt

Hookers: Bismarck du Plessis, Joe van Zyl, Schalk Erasmus, Sidney Tobias

Locks: Walt Steenkamp, Sintu Manjezi, Ruan Nortjé, Janko Swanepoel, Reinhardt Ludwig

Loose forwards: Marcell Coetzee (captain), Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw, Jacques du Plessis, WJ Steenkamp, Muller Uys

Scrumhalves: Zak Burger, Embrose Papier, Keagan Johannes, Marco Jansen van Vuren

Flyhalves: Johan Goosen, Chris Smith

Centres: Cornal Hendricks, Harold Vorster, Lionel Mapoe, Stedman Gans

Wings: Madosh Tambwe, Stravino Jacobs, Kurt-Lee Arendse

Fullbacks: David Kriel, Ruan Combrinck

[OomStruisbaai]

By far the best Saffer squad. Leinster will be a massive challenge first up.

[bok_viking]

Yeah its a pretty decent squad with a nice blend of experienced guys and a bunch of very exciting young players. Those young loosies and locks are looking better and better this season. Great to see Arendse made it back after his head injury as well. Although I would not be surprised if they lose to Leinster first up, the Bulls rarely start well on a trip, Even in their best years in Super Rugby they were susceptible to blunders while on tour. Hopefully the experienced guys can calm things down, I think it would be a great start if we can get 3/4 wins but would not be surprised if it is 50/50

[average joe]

Leinster? Perhaps focus on beating Benetton first.

[FalseBayFC]

The Cell C Sharks touring squad:

Forwards

Dan Jooste
Dylan Richardson
Fez Mbatha
Gebrandt Grobler
Henco Venter
Hyron Andrews
James Venter
Kerron van Vuuren
Khutha Mchunu
Khwezi Mona
Le Roux Roets
Lourens Adriaanse
Mpilo Gumede
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Phepsi Buthelezi
Reniel Hugo
Ruben van Heerden
Thembelani Bholi
Thomas du Toit
Wiehahn Herbst
Backs:

Anthony Volmink
Boeta Chamberlain
Curwin Bosch
Jeremy Ward
Marius Louw
Marnus Potgieter
Murray Koster
Ruan Pienaar
Rynhardt Jonker
Sanele Nohamba
Thaakir Abrahams
Tian Meyer
Werner Kok
Yaw Penxe
Fez Mbathu


Great to see him back

Would like to see Boeta Chamberlain given a go to nail down the no.10 jersey. Put him outside Ruan P. Nohamba has big deficiencies in his game and needs some experience to see if he can make up for them. The team desperately needs a big blindside flanker or no.8. None of the locks look convertible as is the current trend. Hoping one of the hookers shows decent form to become a certainty - some talent there but none are dominating.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe still out on knee injury rehab. He was looking great before the injury. Hope he comes back soon.

The backs are pretty green. Would like to see Marius Louw there more often to offer some spine.

I can see this team having some blinders on the hard dry grounds at home but might battle up North. I can foresee a mixed bag of results.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sharks must start with Poepies.

[bok_viking]

Leinster? Perhaps focus on beating Benetton first.

No use to focus on Benetton anymore...what is done is done. Very bad day at the office. Just imagine how tough Benetton is going to do to the rest of the SA teams then

Like I said, I would not be at all surprised if the Bulls lose to Leinster, but I fully expect them to perform a lot better than what they did against Benetton, That day they did not have any fight in them, they all looked like they were on a bender out in town and did not get any sleep before that game.

[OomStruisbaai]

The best chance we have is to knock them over in round 1. Our lot played two weeks ago, they are still rusted.

The refs are a worry in this competition. They are totally different to our refs.

[PCPhil]

The best chance we have is to knock them over in round 1. Our lot played two weeks ago, they are still rusted.

The refs are a worry in this competition. They are totally different to our refs.

Yeah i know. Most of them have 2 eyes. You’ll get used to it.

Actually I may even shell out a subscription to watch this competition. Intriguing.

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls challenge.

SS

Bulls to face near capacity crowd in Dublin
By Brenden Nel
16 September 2021 | 13:01
Bulls © Gallo Images
The Vodacom Bulls may be riding high at the moment but they face a daunting prospect of facing the team that dominated PRO14 rugby for so long with an almost capacity crowd at the Aviva Stadium for their opening United Rugby Championship game.

Leinster announced that 38 000 fans will be allowed through the turnstiles for the game on 25 September, provided they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 within the last six months to enter.

That means the stadium will be at 75% capacity for the Bulls, who have only played one game in front of a crowd - that being their ill-fated Rainbow Cup loss to Benetton earlier this year.

"There will be some changes and challenges to the match-day experience but we feel that it's the right time, within the guidelines, to look towards a safe and responsible return of crowds in a COVID-compliant manner," Leinster's Head of Commercial and Marketing, Kevin Quinn, said.

"There will be an onus on the ticket-holder to comply with the stadium policies, to wear their masks and to follow the guidelines, but that is the model that we are moving towards as a society from the end of October onwards, and we are confident that Leinster Rugby supporters and indeed any Bulls supporters will respect that."

The four-time champions have gone unchallenged to a large extent in the competition over the past few years but the addition of South African teams adds a big flavour to the match.

On Wednesday at the launch of the URC in Ireland, Leinster midfielder Gary Ringrose believes the new structure and addition of the South African teams will make it more appetising.

And he admitted the Bulls pose an interesting challenge to the Irish side."We have the Bulls, I don’t know if anyone saw their Currie Cup final against the Sharks, they are pretty much as good as they are going to get if not better after two weeks’ prep.

"The Bulls have been incredible. Maybe sometimes the narrative around the type of rugby South African teams might play, the Bulls kind of put that to bed a little bit.

"When you look at their last five or six results, they are close to 40 points per game.

They are probably a team that can do it all."

Ringrose said the new format was encouraging.

“Maybe some of the narrative that would have been outside of the playing group would say that the quality was lacking," the Ireland centre said.

"For us it’s always been a challenge and it’s never been easy, the strength and depth of our squad has paid dividends for Leinster.

"I can’t disagree with you, with the teams that are coming in and the quality, they way the schedule has been restructured.

"Prestige? That wouldn’t be a word that I’d use, probably, just tougher, more competitive, more challenging. That’s what myself and our playing group are facing.

"From the outside maybe [the Pro14] games might not be perceived as competitive as when you are on the inside and the preparation that goes into them.

"From what I’ve read of the new structure, that’s one of the ideas behind the new competition.

"Not only the new teams but fewer fixtures puts more pressure on them, the way they are scheduled outside of international windows.

"It’s all about making games as competitive as possible when they are being played. It’s intensifying the pressure we already feel.

"There’s a bit more clarity in the challenge we are facing."

[Sandstorm]

Bulls away from Loftus are shite. Paddies by 12

[Sards]

Bulls away from Loftus are shite. Paddies by 12

Yup.....thats their way....

[Sards]

The Cell C Sharks touring squad:

Forwards

Dan Jooste
Dylan Richardson
Fez Mbatha
Gebrandt Grobler
Henco Venter
Hyron Andrews
James Venter
Kerron van Vuuren
Khutha Mchunu
Khwezi Mona
Le Roux Roets
Lourens Adriaanse
Mpilo Gumede
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Phepsi Buthelezi
Reniel Hugo
Ruben van Heerden
Thembelani Bholi
Thomas du Toit
Wiehahn Herbst
Backs:

Anthony Volmink
Boeta Chamberlain
Curwin Bosch
Jeremy Ward
Marius Louw
Marnus Potgieter
Murray Koster
Ruan Pienaar
Rynhardt Jonker
Sanele Nohamba
Thaakir Abrahams
Tian Meyer
Werner Kok
Yaw Penxe
Fez Mbathu


Great to see him back

Would like to see Boeta Chamberlain given a go to nail down the no.10 jersey. Put him outside Ruan P. Nohamba has big deficiencies in his game and needs some experience to see if he can make up for them. The team desperately needs a big blindside flanker or no.8. None of the locks look convertible as is the current trend. Hoping one of the hookers shows decent form to become a certainty - some talent there but none are dominating.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe still out on knee injury rehab. He was looking great before the injury. Hope he comes back soon.

The backs are pretty green. Would like to see Marius Louw there more often to offer some spine.

I can see this team having some blinders on the hard dry grounds at home but might battle up North. I can foresee a mixed bag of results.

The team has struggled against a few teams back home. Just not enough grunt up front

[Chilli]

Leinster? Perhaps focus on beating Benetton first.

When do they play Benetton again?

[Sards]

I wish Nienaber would just release our Sharks players in the squad who aren't getting game time. It's silly to hold them back now

[Chilli]

I wish Nienaber would just release our Sharks players in the squad who aren't getting game time. It's silly to hold them back now

Nienaber or Ra$$ie?
But why? You were gushing like a virgin bride when he called them all up.

[Sards]

I wish Nienaber would just release our Sharks players in the squad who aren't getting game time. It's silly to hold them back now

Nienaber or Ra$$ie?
But why? You were gushing like a virgin bride when he called them all up.

In the anticipation of game time.....It cannot be good for them to be in a bubble for so long without getting onto the pitch.
I cant see the team changing so release them ffs........
The Tank is back thank goodness.....

[Sards]

With a 20.35 kick off for the first match of the Sharks on saturday its going to be a lot more fun than scanning for something decent to watch on telly during that time between getting the kids settled in their rooms and then to sleep....although we normally let them have a late night on Saturday night.....

Will take some getting used to......

[Sards]

I wonder if RG will be ready for Munster this weekend........man he has been missed at the shit show that is the Boks......But seriously not looking forward to playing against him......in any tournament....

[lemonhead]

RG won't be back for 3/4 weeks is the latest

We broke him in 7mins first time round, he'll be eased back in.

[assfly]

Any idea what the Munster team might look like?