Official United Rugby Championship thread

[Slick]

These water breaks are ridiculous

Must be hot in Edinburgh.

It seems the choice is this or water boys running on every 3 minutes

Another win for Rassie.

Shouldn’t really need to be a choice, they can go and get a drink at multiple other stoppages if they really need one

[weegie01]

Edinburgh have published the list of tunes the that are played when the various players score, selected by the players.

WP Nel staying true to his roots.



As an older person, I have never heard of most of the other bands or songs.

[Biffer]

Question for our URC family, do we support our teams in the Heineken/Challenge Cup?

I don't understand this question.

In the first four rounds the URC teams play against T14/Premier teams.

Should we support the URC teams? We are family now.

Nah, fuck the Welsh. And the English. And Ulster.

[PornDog]

I don't understand this question.

In the first four rounds the URC teams play against T14/Premier teams.

Should we support the URC teams? We are family now.

Nah, fuck the Welsh. And the English. And Ulster.

What did Ulster do to piss you off?

[Biffer]

What did Ulster do to piss you off?

It’s sport, you don’t need a logical reason to dislike teams. That’d be no fun at all.

[assfly]

Another win for Rassie.

[PornDog]

What did Ulster do to piss you off?

It’s sport, you don’t need a logical reason to dislike teams. That’d be no fun at all.

[OomStruisbaai]

Edinburgh have published the list of tunes the that are played when the various players score, selected by the players.

WP Nel staying true to his roots.



As an older person, I have never heard of most of the other bands or songs.

[bessantj]

Nice work Edinburgh, the much better team. I know that's not saying much.

[OomStruisbaai]

Round one results
Friday, September 16
Benetton 33 Glasgow Warriors 11

Saturday, September 17
Ulster 36 Connacht 10
Edinburgh 44 Dragons 6
Scarlets 23 Ospreys 23
Emirates Lions 15 Bulls 31
Cardiff 20 Munster 13
Zebre 29 Leinster 33

Round two fixtures
Friday, September 23
Zebre v Sharks
Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff
Leinster v Benetton

Saturday, September 24
Scarlets v Ulster
Bulls v Edinburgh
Stormers v Connacht
Ospreys v Lions

Sunday, September 25
Dragons v Munster

[OomStruisbaai]

Boks released Joseph Dweba, Warrick Gelant, Elrigh Louw and Salmaan Moerat for URC duty in a bid to get game time
Bok flyhalf Damian Willemse, who suffered a concussion in Saturday’s 36-20 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires, has also been released to the DHL Stormers to follow the prescribed return-to-play protocols.

[robmatic]

Boks released Joseph Dweba, Warrick Gelant, Elrigh Louw and Salmaan Moerat for URC duty in a bid to get game time
Bok flyhalf Damian Willemse, who suffered a concussion in Saturday’s 36-20 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires, has also been released to the DHL Stormers to follow the prescribed return-to-play protocols.

Stormers and Bulls need some of the big guns back with Embra coming down to SA on tour.

[OomStruisbaai]

Boks released Joseph Dweba, Warrick Gelant, Elrigh Louw and Salmaan Moerat for URC duty in a bid to get game time
Bok flyhalf Damian Willemse, who suffered a concussion in Saturday’s 36-20 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires, has also been released to the DHL Stormers to follow the prescribed return-to-play protocols.

Stormers and Bulls need some of the big guns back with Embra coming down to SA on tour.

Stormers lost Nel & JdJ. Need a midfield partner for du Plessis.
We have Connacht first up. Luckily in Stellenbosch.

[OomStruisbaai]

This weekend we have a full round of rugby. Sharks Lions, Leinster, Connact and Embra on tour.

[OomStruisbaai]

Connacht travelling squad v DHL Stormers

Forwards (17)

Jack Aungier, Finlay Bealham, Ciaran Booth, Paul Boyle, Denis Buckley, Jarrad Butler, Peter Dooley, Oisín Dowling, Leva Fifita, Dave Heffernan, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Sam Illo, Josh Murphy, Niall Murray, Cian Prendergast, Grant Stewart, Dylan Tierney-Martin

Backs (11)

Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Tom Daly, Tom Farrell, Conor Fitzgerald, Mack Hansen, David Hawkshaw, Kieran Marmion, Oran McNulty, John Porch, Byron Ralston

[OomStruisbaai]

It's going to be a tough weekend for SA teams. Sharks and Stormers will be rusty in their 1st match Bulls up against Embra and Lions kakking anyways.

[Tichtheid]

It's going to be a tough weekend for SA teams. Sharks and Stormers will be rusty in their 1st match Bulls up against Embra and Lions kakking anyways.

Na Edinburgh have some way to go to shake off their flaky tag, when you've watched them beat Tolouse in a European Cup quarter final and the next season get battered 45 - 0 by Saracens, these scars last a long time.

This isn't "underdogging", Edinburgh have been weak mentally for a long long time, years of painful experience have taught us not to get hopes up too much. At the moment Edinburgh are a flat-track bully side, we seldom do well consistently, and especially not away from home.

I think we have some potential; our fly half is starting his second season in that position, and I genuinely think he can be a match breaker at any level. However he needs a platform and up front we have some good individuals, I'm just not sure we have the big beasts capable of providing the armchair ride that the likes of Jonny Sexton gets at Leinster, or Finn Russell gets at Racing 92, or Owen Farrell gets at Saracens when their packs are really cooking.

[OomStruisbaai]

This weekend you play on Schoemans playground. He learned his rugby just across the street from Loftus at Affies. WP Nel , a Bolander know how to hate the Bulls scrum.

The Bulls beat the Lions everywhere but struggled in the scrum. Those two Saffers will give Embra the platform to spread their magic.

[Tichtheid]

Edinburgh kick-start their two-week tour against Vodacom Bulls this Saturday – live on Premier Sports 2 – in the capital side’s first-ever match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Mike Blair said: “Last season’s two-week tour to South Africa was a really beneficial experience, built on hard work and togetherness – we’ll need those attributes to come to the fore once again as we face two excellent sides.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to get down to South Africa early. We now start a massive week of training for what will be a huge test on Saturday – the Vodacom Bulls are a physical side with a great track record at home.

“We’ve picked an experienced touring squad. We’re excited to represent the city on South African soil once again.”


Edinburgh Rugby touring squad to South Africa

Forwards
Lee-Roy Atalifo, Nick Auterac, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Luan de Bruin, Grant Gilchrist (cc), Nick Haining, Viliame Mata, Adam McBurney, Stuart McInally, WP Nel, Pierce Phillips, Jamie Ritchie (cc), Pierre Schoeman, Sam Skinner, Marshall Sykes, Boan Venter, Hamish Watson, Glen Young

Backs

Mark Bennett, Jack Blain, Matt Currie, Chris Dean, Darcy Graham, Damien Hoyland, Henry Immelman, Blair Kinghorn, James Lang, Harry Paterson, Henry Pyrgos, Charlie Savala, Charlie Shiel, Jaco van der Walt, Ben Vellacott.


We've got Boyle, Muncaster, Hodgson, Kunavula, Boffelli and Goosen as notable absentees, Boffelli would definitely start in our first choice team, we've yet to see Goosen.

[OomStruisbaai]

Look like most of that squad will sleep at home.

[robmatic]

Look like most of that squad will sleep at home.

Bred in South Africa, improved in Scotland

[OomStruisbaai]

Embra preparing in Cape Town.

[Tichtheid]

Embra preparing in Cape Town.

The backdrop is stunningly beautiful.

I'd love to make it out to South Africa to take in a few games... one day.

[Chilli]

Embra preparing in Cape Town.

It is very hard to understand the players Italian accent.

[OomStruisbaai]

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Zebre v Sharks
(Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – Kick-off: 18.30; 17.30 Ireland & UK time; 18.30 SA time)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Federico Vedovelli (Italy), Dante D’elia (Italy)
TMO: Jon Mason (Wales)

Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff
(Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – Kick-off: 19.35 Ireland & UK time; 20.35 Italian & SA time)
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Finlay Brown (Scotland), Ru Campbell (Scotland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Leinster v Benetton
(RDS Arena, Dublin – Kick-off: 19.35 Ireland & UK time; 20.35 Italian & SA time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Paul Haycock (Ireland), Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Ian Davies (Wales)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Scarlets v Ulster
(Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – Kick-off: 13.00 Ireland & UK time; 14.00 Italian & SA time)
Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa, 11th league game)
Assistant referees: Mike English (Wales), Elliot Mayor (Wales)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Bulls v Edinburgh
(Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 14.30; 13.30 Ireland & UK time)
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)

Stormers v Connacht
(Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch – Kick-off: 14.30; 13.30 Ireland & UK time)
Referee : Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Morné Ferreira (South Africa), Stephan Guldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Ospreys v Lions
(Swansea Stadium, Swansea – Kick-off: 19.35 Ireland & UK time; 20.35 Italian & SA time)
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Rhys Jones (Wales), Dai Cambourne (Wales)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Dragons v Munster
(Rodney Parade, Newport – Kick-off: 15.00 Ireland & UK time; 16.00 Italian & SA time)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Simon Rees (Wales), Aaron Parry (Wales)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers and Bulls match on the same time.

[OomStruisbaai]

Embra preparing in Cape Town.

The backdrop is stunningly beautiful.

I'd love to make it out to South Africa to take in a few games... one day.

Republic of the Western Cape is by far the best in South Africa. Weather is great from now on.

[Chilli]

Sharks team:

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vurren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu

Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Marnus Potgieter

[Chilli]

I'm happy for Boeta.
Lets hope he has a super game.

[robmatic]

Sharks team:

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vurren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu

Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Marnus Potgieter

Zebre by 10 points.

[Sards]

Sharks team:

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vurren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu

Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Marnus Potgieter

Zebre by 10 points.

There is so much class in this backline.
Great to see Dylan progessing from CC to URC start. Looking forward to seeing Grobler in action. Scrum should be good. And bench.

[robmatic]

Sharks team:

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vurren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu

Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Marnus Potgieter

Zebre by 10 points.

There is so much class in this backline.
Great to see Dylan progessing from CC to URC start. Looking forward to seeing Grobler in action. Scrum should be good. And bench.

I am mostly jesting, because Zebre are generally rubbish. Although they seemed to have played pretty well against Leinster last week.

Richardson is Scottish-qualified, right?

[Tichtheid]

Zebre by 10 points.

There is so much class in this backline.
Great to see Dylan progessing from CC to URC start. Looking forward to seeing Grobler in action. Scrum should be good. And bench.

I am mostly jesting, because Zebre are generally rubbish. Although they seemed to have played pretty well against Leinster last week.

Richardson is Scottish-qualified, right?

Capped for Scotland v Japan last year.

[OomStruisbaai]

Lions vs Ospreys – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Zander du Plessis, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Franke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Ruan Venter, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Sango Xamlashe.

[OomStruisbaai]

Jake White dish out free beers for the Embra match
1 000 free beers on Jake White after Bulls’ URC clash against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld

Pretoria — First they reduced ticket prices to start from just R25, and now the Bulls have gone a step further - free beer!

Yes, you heard right: Bulls coach Jake White pledged to pay for a round of cold ones for the first 1 000 people who enter the beer tent after Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld.

In an interview with Pretoria radio station Jacaranda FM on Thursday, White said that he wanted to encourage Bulls supporters to make their way to the stadium to scream for their favourite team in light blue jerseys.

The Bulls went all the way to the final last season, where they went down 18-13 to the Stormers in Cape Town.

The Bulls-Edinburgh match starts at 2.30pm, and then the beer tent will have a big screen showing the Springboks' Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Durban (5.05pm kick-off) after the Bulls match, so fans can enjoy the game in style.
"We want to get as many people (as possible to the field). It's an afternoon game, and I know it's Heritage Day. And part of our heritage is that you braai and have a couple of beers," White said.

"So, one of the things that we could do is, why don't we give the first thousand guys - I'll pay for that - who go into the beer tent after the game, I will buy their first beer!

"Hopefully we will be celebrating a great result."

The Bulls began their URC season with a 31-15 victory over the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend, and will look to improve further and remain unbeaten against Edinburgh.

He forget the Bul supporters are vuil coke people?

[bok_viking]

Jake White dish out free beers for the Embra match
1 000 free beers on Jake White after Bulls’ URC clash against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld

Pretoria — First they reduced ticket prices to start from just R25, and now the Bulls have gone a step further - free beer!

Yes, you heard right: Bulls coach Jake White pledged to pay for a round of cold ones for the first 1 000 people who enter the beer tent after Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld.

In an interview with Pretoria radio station Jacaranda FM on Thursday, White said that he wanted to encourage Bulls supporters to make their way to the stadium to scream for their favourite team in light blue jerseys.

The Bulls went all the way to the final last season, where they went down 18-13 to the Stormers in Cape Town.

The Bulls-Edinburgh match starts at 2.30pm, and then the beer tent will have a big screen showing the Springboks' Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Durban (5.05pm kick-off) after the Bulls match, so fans can enjoy the game in style.
"We want to get as many people (as possible to the field). It's an afternoon game, and I know it's Heritage Day. And part of our heritage is that you braai and have a couple of beers," White said.

"So, one of the things that we could do is, why don't we give the first thousand guys - I'll pay for that - who go into the beer tent after the game, I will buy their first beer!

"Hopefully we will be celebrating a great result."

The Bulls began their URC season with a 31-15 victory over the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend, and will look to improve further and remain unbeaten against Edinburgh.

He forget the Bul supporters are vuil coke people?

Haha maybe not so much anymore. That beer garden outside Loftus is very popular and packed after games. Unfortunately I think the Bok game might have a big effect on the size of the crowd tomorrow. Bit I will be there, planned to go even before the free beer was announced

[OomStruisbaai]

DHL Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Brok Harris, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Adré Smith, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Sacha Mngomezulu.

[OomStruisbaai]

Chilli's old club in action?

The Western Province Rugby Football Union Super League A and B Finals will be played directly afterwards at 17h00 and 19h00, while there will also be a beertent with a big screen showing the Springboks play Argentina at 17h05 on the fields next to the stadium.

The Stormers will need the Matie students to get them a win. That team is far from the Stormers winning team of last year. Dobson use none of the Springboks being available. Big test for the youngsters.

[OomStruisbaai]

False Bay vs Durbell club rugby final.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Goose is back
Vodacom Bulls –15 Johan Goosen, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 David Kriel, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger; 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Ruan Vermaak, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marco van Staden; 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Stedman Gans.