Official United Rugby Championship thread

[Sards]

Fat Frans back....geez , the Stormers need him desperately

[OomStruisbaai]

Finally the Stormers have 3 THs. With Willemse they can afford a 6/2 bench.

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Cornal Hendricks.

Date: Saturday, March 26
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 Ireland & UK; 17.15 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)

[Tichtheid]

Given injuries and resting some players from the 6N, this is about as strong as we can put out, whether it's good enough is another matter, we just can't seem to get going away from home.

[robmatic]

Given injuries and resting some players from the 6N, this is about as strong as we can put out, whether it's good enough is another matter, we just can't seem to get going away from home.

Bit of a step up for Owsley, don't think he'll get too many stronger tests of the defensive side of his game.

[Tichtheid]

Bit of a step up for Owsley, don't think he'll get too many stronger tests of the defensive side of his game.

Yeah, it’s a bit of a surprising selection, he is ridiculously quick of course but I’m not sure about his skills yet

[weegie01]

Edit, too slow.

Looking at the entire backline, Lang is the only one not seriously fast.

WP Nel was one player left at home who was probably asking to go. I'd expect the Edinburgh Saffas to see the games against the SA teams as their season highlights.

I don't think Bennett has ever been captain before.

Used to go to Durban a lot as I was engaged to a Durban girl (an living in Jo'Burg). It was always the humidity that was a problem for me rather than the heat.

[OomStruisbaai]

Fat Frans back

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Junior Pokomela, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Rikus Pretorius.

Date: Saturday, March 26
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 Ireland & UK time; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

Ulster – 15 Mike Lowry, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Stewart Moore, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rob Lyttle, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Marcus Rea, 6 Greg Jones, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor (c), 3 Marty Moore, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Subs: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Mick Kearney, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 David Shanahan, 22 Luke Marshall, 23 Ethan McIlroy

[Chilli]

Fat Frans back

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Junior Pokomela, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Rikus Pretorius.

Date: Saturday, March 26
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 Ireland & UK time; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

Chad "can't throw in" Solomon

[Jock42]

I don't think Bennett has ever been captain before.

He was capt against Munster iirc.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sadly no Schoeman or Nel At least a Cheetah who taught Ox to scrum.

[Sards]

Given injuries and resting some players from the 6N, this is about as strong as we can put out, whether it's good enough is another matter, we just can't seem to get going away from home.

Don't worry. The Sharks for some inexplicable reason struggle at home

[Sards]

Looking forward to best teams from the North playing. We struggled when they were at full strength and we would be making a huge mistake to think it's not going to change this weekend compared to the last 2 weekends. I expect a few Saffer losses. Probably an even stevens weekend

[ia801310]

Why is the crowd so small? Did they not have time to sell the tickets?

[OomStruisbaai]

Hendrikse playing kak

[OomStruisbaai]

Why is the crowd so small? Did they not have time to sell the tickets?

Lions and $hark$ don't pull crowds.

[Sards]

My streaming is just so kak. Given up. The kids only got back from cricket practice at 18 30 so they are gaming. They deserve it after a long day

[Sards]

Went onto a sim card. Much better. Quite surprised by how the Ospreys are struggling

[FalseBayFC]

The Tshituka brothers are some players! Apparently they submitted their passport applications in January. They've both been here for 10+ years so shouldn't be a problem. I'm backing one or both to wear the green and gold one day.

[OomStruisbaai]

Dunno how long the NH teams will start playing running rugby. Fuck me they kick valuable possession away.

[Sards]

The Tshituka brothers are some players! Apparently they submitted their passport applications in January. They've both been here for 10+ years so shouldn't be a problem. I'm backing one or both to wear the green and gold one day.

They will go the way of Tambwe.
All my foreign workers are not getting any joy at Home affairs. Unless big bribes are given. But the law will crucify me if I fire them for not having a permit. It's a vokked us situation

[OomStruisbaai]

Our outside backs is just way above their snails. We need to thanks Varsity Cup and 7s for our wings.

[Sards]

Our outside backs is just way above their snails. We need to thanks Varsity Cup and 7s for our wings.

Don't get ahead of yourself. It took 7 years for Senatla to have any influence. And that's only because we are playing northern sides. He was completely ineffectual against the Kiwis

[OomStruisbaai]

The Tshituka brothers are some players! Apparently they submitted their passport applications in January. They've both been here for 10+ years so shouldn't be a problem. I'm backing one or both to wear the green and gold one day.

They will go the way of Tambwe.
All my foreign workers are not getting any joy at Home affairs. Unless big bribes are given. But the law will crucify me if I fire them for not having a permit. It's a vokked us situation

Yesterday the Xenophobic war starts in the Boland. We have Halls Moslee and churches stepping in to accommodate the Zimbabweans and African people being kicked out their homes.

[Sards]

Loving watching the Lions thriving at home.

1 more try for the bonus point

[Sards]

The Tshituka brothers are some players! Apparently they submitted their passport applications in January. They've both been here for 10+ years so shouldn't be a problem. I'm backing one or both to wear the green and gold one day.

They will go the way of Tambwe.
All my foreign workers are not getting any joy at Home affairs. Unless big bribes are given. But the law will crucify me if I fire them for not having a permit. It's a vokked us situation

Yesterday the Xenophobic war starts in the Boland. We have Halls Moslee and churches stepping in to accommodate the Zimbabweans and African people being kicked out their homes.

It's very upsetting

[Blake]

Why is the crowd so small? Did they not have time to sell the tickets?

Quite disappointing to be honest.

While time was limited, and the fact that the Lions are probably the worst supported side, and that Ellis Park is in a sketchy part of Joburg (I wouldn’t want to leave my car there at night) are all reasons, I really thought there would be a proper turnout for this match.

Hope the SA teams can find some smaller venues to play at if this is going to become the trend.

[Sards]

Why is the crowd so small? Did they not have time to sell the tickets?

Quite disappointing to be honest.

While time was limited, and the fact that the Lions are probably the worst supported side, and that Ellis Park is in a sketchy part of Joburg (I wouldn’t want to leave my car there at night) are all reasons, I really thought there would be a proper turnout for this match.

Hope the SA teams can find some smaller venues to play at if this is going to become the trend.

It was announced just before payday and people are really struggling atm.

[Sards]

Cmaan Lions

[Sards]

Bonus point

[Sards]

Good all round game Lions. Everyone contributing

[Sards]

The Lions turn on contact when carrying so twist out of tackles. It seems to be something they worked on

[Sards]

Ospreys getting an intercept try and then Lions get the 5th

[Sards]

Ospreys getting an intercept try and then Lions get the 5th

Lions get the 6th

[FalseBayFC]

Edwill vdM speed machine.

[Sards]

Those dissing the Lions re crowds and support base etc hang your heads in shame.
Playing all out rugby

[FalseBayFC]

Those dissing the Lions re crowds and support base etc hang your heads in shame.
Playing all out rugby

They'll need to start running shuttle buses or something to get the crowds in. I agree with Blake. Ellis is a kak area at night.

[Chilli]

Edwill vdM speed machine.

He is having a super match.

[Chilli]

Those dissing the Lions re crowds and support base etc hang your heads in shame.
Playing all out rugby

They'll need to start running shuttle buses or something to get the crowds in. I agree with Blake. Ellis is a kak area at night.

And during the day.

[FalseBayFC]

Also watching the Grey College - Stellenberg match on Youtube. Its 17-13 at HT. They Grey no.5 lock is 2.02m 112kg. Absolute unit.