Official United Rugby Championship thread

[weegie01]

Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final schedule:

Friday, 3 June
Ulster vs Munster
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast (8.35pm, SA time)

Saturday, 4 June
Bulls vs Sharks
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (1.45pm)

Leinster vs Glasgow Warriors
RDS Arena, Dublin (4.15pm)

Stormers vs Edinburgh
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town (7pm)

Playoff pathway:

Semi-final 1: Leinster/Glasgow Warriors versus Bulls/Sharks
Semi-final 2: Stormers/Edinburgh versus Ulster/Munster

So this mean if Glasgow and/or EdinBokke win, they'll get home semi finals.

Far more likely to be Leinster and Stormers.

I think Edinburgh will still be using their second and third choice hookers, and first and third choice props. The drop to the third choice props is significant and I doubt they will get away with it in the Mother City.

[OomStruisbaai]

You probably count the x Stormers like Kolisi , Bongi, Ellende and Etsebeth in.

We are proffessionals,
We don't bring up PSDT , Roos , Libbok etc.
Its the amateur clubs and Unions that work like that.
Once they sign for a club it doesn't matter whether they played for Gugs 3rd or whatever.

The question that needs to be asked is Why...?

Why did these players leave to find another club?

And don't tell me its money. There are other factors that are at play...............

PSdT = Swartland
Evan Roos = Paarl Boys
Manie Libbok = Kwaggas.

Returned to their roots and played their best at the Stormers.

Money can't buy a rugby heart.

[Sards]

You probably count the x Stormers like Kolisi , Bongi, Ellende and Etsebeth in.

We are proffessionals,
We don't bring up PSDT , Roos , Libbok etc.
Its the amateur clubs and Unions that work like that.
Once they sign for a club it doesn't matter whether they played for Gugs 3rd or whatever.

The question that needs to be asked is Why...?

Why did these players leave to find another club?

And don't tell me its money. There are other factors that are at play...............

PSdT = Swartland
Evan Roos = Paarl Boys
Manie Libbok = Kwaggas.

Returned to their roots and played their best at the Stormers.

Money can't buy a rugby heart.

Before you get ahead of yourself. Still 3 games to go.
Each one a knockout game

[_Os_]

Oom is claiming players not from the Western Cape, in fact are, because of where they finished school. He's also claiming players who aren't from the Western Cape and didn't go to school there, are from the Western Cape because they played for the Stomps.

I once stepped foot in the Western Cape = I'm a Kaapenaar.

[OomStruisbaai]

We are proffessionals,
We don't bring up PSDT , Roos , Libbok etc.
Its the amateur clubs and Unions that work like that.
Once they sign for a club it doesn't matter whether they played for Gugs 3rd or whatever.

The question that needs to be asked is Why...?

Why did these players leave to find another club?

And don't tell me its money. There are other factors that are at play...............

PSdT = Swartland
Evan Roos = Paarl Boys
Manie Libbok = Kwaggas.

Returned to their roots and played their best at the Stormers.

Money can't buy a rugby heart.

Before you get ahead of yourself. Still 3 games to go.
Each one a knockout game

Still enjoy winning the SA shield. The rest is a bonus.

The Sharks are lucky to play the Bulls.

[assfly]

I'm loving the new look Oom.

[OomStruisbaai]

Oom is claiming players not from the Western Cape, in fact are, because of where they finished school. He's also claiming players who aren't from the Western Cape and didn't go to school there, are from the Western Cape because they played for the Stomps.

I once stepped foot in the Western Cape = I'm a Kaapenaar.

Os are you going to support the Stormers in the quater finals?

[average joe]

Oom is claiming players not from the Western Cape, in fact are, because of where they finished school. He's also claiming players who aren't from the Western Cape and didn't go to school there, are from the Western Cape because they played for the Stomps.

I once stepped foot in the Western Cape = I'm a Kaapenaar.

He picked it up from us Freestaters.

[FalseBayFC]

I see the Stomps are excited about coming second.

They're obsessed with Deon Fourie replacing Kolisi as Bok captain.

Crazy over hyping.

They have some props and some wings/fullbacks. There's going to be very few Stomps in the Bok 23, only 3-5 players.

And Ruhan Nel over Lukhanyo Am at 13. If they had their way Tristan Leyds would soon be in Green and Gold.

[Chilli]

Oom is claiming players not from the Western Cape, in fact are, because of where they finished school. He's also claiming players who aren't from the Western Cape and didn't go to school there, are from the Western Cape because they played for the Stomps.

I once stepped foot in the Western Cape = I'm a Kaapenaar.

He picked it up from us Freestaters.

They can't help but poach from us.

[OomStruisbaai]

I'm loving the new look Oom.

It take special bait to get Ox. I missed him.

[assfly]

Enjoy the bragging rights. Well earned.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Bulls are lucky to have Jake White for the quarter final.

[OomStruisbaai]

WP Nel

“Since being back here training, I’ve had flashbacks about playing good club rugby at Durbell, and playing a bit of U21 rugby at Newlands for WP. Just nice to be back where it all kicked off for me.”

[robmatic]

WP Nel

“Since being back here training, I’ve had flashbacks about playing good club rugby at Durbell, and playing a bit of U21 rugby at Newlands for WP. Just nice to be back where it all kicked off for me.”

WP will absolutely love it when he gets the upper hand in the scrum for Edinburgh though.

[OomStruisbaai]

WP Nel

“Since being back here training, I’ve had flashbacks about playing good club rugby at Durbell, and playing a bit of U21 rugby at Newlands for WP. Just nice to be back where it all kicked off for me.”

WP will absolutely love it when he gets the upper hand in the scrum for Edinburgh though.

Cape Town Stadium sandy surface isn't great for scrumming. However he will be up against Kitshoff. Schoeman will be under the pump. Fat Frans and Neethling Fouche is two great scrummers. The Stormers have real depth in the pack.

[OomStruisbaai]

Ulster
(15-9): Stewart Moore, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, Ian Madigan, Ben Moxham.

Munster

(15-9): Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Keith Earls; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray;

(1-8): Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Peter O’Mahony (Capt.), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Jason Jenkins, Thomas Ahern, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Chris Cloete

[robmatic]

WP Nel

WP will absolutely love it when he gets the upper hand in the scrum for Edinburgh though.

Cape Town Stadium sandy surface isn't great for scrumming. However he will be up against Kitshoff. Schoeman will be under the pump. Fat Frans and Neethling Fouche is two great scrummers. The Stormers have real depth in the pack.

I'm expecting it to be difficult really. WP and Schooey will have to play the full 80, with Boan Venter and de Bruin injured our bench props are a little weak.

What will the crowd be like in Cape Town? A lot of the SA games I've seen in the URC have been a bit empty and flat.

[bok_viking]

WP will absolutely love it when he gets the upper hand in the scrum for Edinburgh though.

Cape Town Stadium sandy surface isn't great for scrumming. However he will be up against Kitshoff. Schoeman will be under the pump. Fat Frans and Neethling Fouche is two great scrummers. The Stormers have real depth in the pack.

I'm expecting it to be difficult really. WP and Schooey will have to play the full 80, with Boan Venter and de Bruin injured our bench props are a little weak.

What will the crowd be like in Cape Town? A lot of the SA games I've seen in the URC have been a bit empty and flat.

Not sure about the crowds in Cape Town, but it looks like the Bulls/Sharks game will be pretty well attended. So far the sales seem to be on track to get pretty close to filling the 25k limit. So its going to be a good game to be at I think. Loftus can be intimidating to teams when the crowds are there.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Newlands faithful struggle with the new Cape Town Stadium.

Newlands roots is build around traditional rugby schools like Sacs, Rondebosch, Wynberg and Bishops.

Think they underestimate this when moved to the Soccer stadium.

[Chilli]

Stormers:

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Nama Xaba, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Sacha Mngomezulu.

Wazza out for the rest of the season with a arm injury.

[OomStruisbaai]

Dis n gatslag.

[FalseBayFC]

Dis n gatslag.

Wait! Who is Wazza? Damien Willemse?

[OomStruisbaai]

Dis n gatslag.

Wait! Who is Wazza? Damien Willemse?

Yes. Chilli trolling. Luckily not for the season.

[OomStruisbaai]

Is Sasha the kid from Wynberg?

[FalseBayFC]

The Newlands faithful struggle with the new Cape Town Stadium.

Newlands roots is build around traditional rugby schools like Sacs, Rondebosch, Wynberg and Bishops.

Think they underestimate this when moved to the Soccer stadium.

I'm hearing via the grapevine that Cape Town will hit 25k too. Decent weather tomorrow and I have tickets. Awe my bru! Ma se poes! Lekker by die Kaap!

[FalseBayFC]

The Newlands faithful struggle with the new Cape Town Stadium.

Newlands roots is build around traditional rugby schools like Sacs, Rondebosch, Wynberg and Bishops.

Think they underestimate this when moved to the Soccer stadium.

The real WP fanbase is in the coloured communities. Many of the stars the big Boland and CT schools come from poor areas in the Western Cape. They go to the local primary schools and get snapped up by the elite schools. You'll see more black and coloured guys wearing Stormers truie then witous. Only a small but very vocal percentage are veraaier/Cape Crusaders.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Newlands faithful struggle with the new Cape Town Stadium.

Newlands roots is build around traditional rugby schools like Sacs, Rondebosch, Wynberg and Bishops.

Think they underestimate this when moved to the Soccer stadium.

I'm hearing via the grapevine that Cape Town will hit 25k too. Decent weather tomorrow and I have tickets. Awe my bru! Ma se poes! Lekker by die Kaap!

Enjoy it. Will be great if they get 25k. Dobson have a 6/2 bench look like to replace the whole pack to speed it up.

[bok_viking]

Cape Town Stadium sandy surface isn't great for scrumming. However he will be up against Kitshoff. Schoeman will be under the pump. Fat Frans and Neethling Fouche is two great scrummers. The Stormers have real depth in the pack.

I'm expecting it to be difficult really. WP and Schooey will have to play the full 80, with Boan Venter and de Bruin injured our bench props are a little weak.

What will the crowd be like in Cape Town? A lot of the SA games I've seen in the URC have been a bit empty and flat.

Not sure about the crowds in Cape Town, but it looks like the Bulls/Sharks game will be pretty well attended. So far the sales seem to be on track to get pretty close to filling the 25k limit. So its going to be a good game to be at I think. Loftus can be intimidating to teams when the crowds are there.

The Bulls also made an agreement with Affies that they will move their game with Menlo to 12, so that once the school game is over the crowd can move across the road to Loftus. A bit like the old days when that was the norm for the school games to be before the provincial games so that the crowd could attend both. Will be good to see 25k there tomorrow. And hopefully next season it can pick up a bit more.

[Chilli]

Bulls

15 Canan Moodie, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Reinhardt Ludwig, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Stedman Gans

[OomStruisbaai]

Surely Affies will provide a lot of spectators. The other day there were more there as at Loftus.

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls

15 Canan Moodie, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Reinhardt Ludwig, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Stedman Gans

Their CC B team?

[Chilli]

Dis n gatslag.

Wait! Who is Wazza? Damien Willemse?

Yes. Chilli trolling. Luckily not for the season.

That is a nickname that we learnt from you Oom.


As if I would troll 5Bar?

[Sards]

Stormers:

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Nama Xaba, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Sacha Mngomezulu.

Wazza out for the rest of the season with a arm injury.

Thats a pity..

Although Rikus carved up the Sharks for fun.....so good to have him there

[Sards]

Bulls

15 Canan Moodie, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Reinhardt Ludwig, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Stedman Gans

Thats a good side....solid backline. More than competent forwards

[Sards]

Cell C Sharks

1. Dian Bleuler

2. Jason Alexander*

3. Lourens Adriaanse

4. Thembelani Bholi

5. Hyron Andrews

6. James Venter (c)

7. Jeandre Labuschagne

8. Mpilo Gumede

9. Zee Mkhabela

10. Tito Bonilla

11. Anthony Volmink

12. Murray Koster

13. Jeremy Ward

14. Marnus Potgieter

15. Nevaldo Fleurs

Replacements

16. Jacques Marais*

17. Khwezi Mona

18. Keagan Glade*

19. OJ Noa

20. Nick Hatton

21. Gerado Jaars*

22. Jordan Chait

23. Sivi Zondani*



CURRIE CUP SIDE

[bok_viking]

Surely Affies will provide a lot of spectators. The other day there were more there as at Loftus.

Yeah Affies always did get a good crowd, so in the past it was always a good thing to have that crowd move over to Loftus. Big sports and Braai days. They used to share tickets as well and used to have a similar deal with Tuks. So game days used to have big groups of students and school kids. So hopefully they can start building that up again in coming seasons.
Some of the bigger Affies games were even played in Loftus as curtain raisers before the big games long ago.

[assfly]

nearly gave me a heartattack

[Sards]

nearly gave me a heartattack

I was looking for the side online and the Currie cup side came up....

I am not sure what the delay is in naming the team..........................

Maybe there is an injury or niggle they are sweating over

[OomStruisbaai]

Is Sasha the kid from Wynberg?

Oh no, another Dobson Bishops boy.