URC Season 2024/2025 Official Thread

[TheNatalShark]

Could do with Fassi getting binned, awful with every involvement

[fishfoodie]

I don't recognize this Munster team; they're imposters wearing a jersey previously only worn by grizzled bar stewards who'd chew your ear off in a ruck, or trample their own Grandmothers underfoot on the 0.001% off chance they'd charge down a kick.

This side in theory have what it takes as there are undoubtedly some very talented players in it; but collectively they're gutless !!

We're not very good at the moment.
Clayton can't come quick enough.

Outside of Leinster there's a lot of work to be done in the Provinces; at least Ulster have bitten the bullet & now have a new coach, & now he can start the work clearing out some players & instilling a better culture, there's been a tolerance of mediocrity for too long in Ulster & Munster.

Connacht need to secure & hold onto a decent coaching team for more than a couple of years; it's too much chop & change at the moment, & when our Internationals get called up or rested, the replacements aren't even close to adequate.

[fishfoodie]

Awww that was magnificent; fair play Ulster !!

[OomStruisbaai]

Stockdale is brilliant

[fishfoodie]

Stockdale is brilliant

You had to say it...

[OomStruisbaai]

Stockdale is brilliant

You had to say it...

Do he have Ireland caps?

[fishfoodie]

Stockdale is brilliant

You had to say it...

Do he have Ireland caps?

He does; he had one incredible debut season & was a try scoring machine, & then he spent years on the physio table, & in the last year he's started coming back into form, but as it goes with wingers, he just doesn't have that top end pace that he used to have.

[fishfoodie]

There was a pass a meter forward before that try

[Uncle fester]

You had to say it...

Do he have Ireland caps?

He does; he had one incredible debut season & was a try scoring machine, & then he spent years on the physio table, & in the last year he's started coming back into form, but as it goes with wingers, he just doesn't have that top end pace that he used to have.

And his confidence is brittle.

[Uncle fester]

Sharks fucking dire in every aspect of the game, going to be another 30+ loss with a full strength team

They are such a strange team.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sharks getting back. Fassi to score the winning try

[fishfoodie]

Do he have Ireland caps?

He does; he had one incredible debut season & was a try scoring machine, & then he spent years on the physio table, & in the last year he's started coming back into form, but as it goes with wingers, he just doesn't have that top end pace that he used to have.

And his confidence is brittle.

He has triestoohardism, it's very common with backs !

One of the things that I admire in sportsmen/women in sports like Golf & Snooker is their ability to put absolutely horrific shots in a box, & just treat the next shot as a completely different thing; a lot of Rugby players seem to not be able to compartmentalize it that way, & when they screw up, it messes up the rest of their game.

[Tichtheid]

One of the things that I admire in sportsmen/women in sports like Golf & Snooker is their ability to put absolutely horrific shots in a box, & just treat the next shot as a completely different thing; a lot of Rugby players seem to not be able to compartmentalize it that way, & when they screw up, it messes up the rest of their game.

This is Finn Russell's superpower

[Tichtheid]

Well done Sharks, they've pulled it out of the fire two weeks in a row now

[OomStruisbaai]

All point to a Sharks vs Stormers quarter final.

[fishfoodie]

All point to a Sharks vs Stormers quarter final.

The SARU need to pull out all the stops to make it a sellout & pull in the punters, & make a real weekend of it on TV, & in the stadia.

[OomStruisbaai]

Durban never get good crowds. Maybe the Stormers supporters will fill it up

[Simian]

One of the things that I admire in sportsmen/women in sports like Golf & Snooker is their ability to put absolutely horrific shots in a box, & just treat the next shot as a completely different thing; a lot of Rugby players seem to not be able to compartmentalize it that way, & when they screw up, it messes up the rest of their game.

This is Finn Russell's superpower

Absolutely

[Sards]

Well done Sharks, they've pulled it out of the fire two weeks in a row now

Those Hendrikse boys are giving me chest pains.

[OomStruisbaai]

Race for top 8

Cardiff(46): Bulls(A), Stormers(A)
Stormers(45): Dragons(H), Cardiff(H)
Scarlets(43): Lions(A), Sharks(A)
Benetton(41): Glasgow(H), Munster(A)
Munster(41): Ulster(H), Benetton(H)
Edinburgh(39): Connacht(A), Ulster(H)
Ospreys(38): Sharks(A), Lions(A)
Ulster(38): Munster(A), Edinburgh(A)
Lions(35): Scarlets(H), Ospreys(H)
Connacht(35): Edinburgh(H), Zebre(A)

[OomStruisbaai]

How good was the Stormers Zimbabwean LH Vernon Matongo on saturday. He destroyed the Benneton scrum.

Matongo bags degree, now rugby becomes his priority
25 Mar 2024 / News, rugby
He is hoping to emulate the legendary World Cup-winning Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, his hero, has gotten an inspired Vernon Matongo (22) to set his sights on carving a name for himself in the rugby annals.

The loosehead prop, who hails from an eastern suburb in Harare, Zimbabwe called Cranborne, recently graduated, in the Stellenbosch University March graduation, with a Bachelor in Accounting, the first in his family to do so.

His mom, Hazel, has been his true inspiration – along with Beast of course – and while she joined him at his graduation ceremony, the Maties Sport star athlete feels the full backing of not only his family but everyone that has ever believed in him.

“Believe it or not, I am the first one to graduate in my family, and this is something that I am very proud to tick off on my list,” Matongo told Maties Sport. “This is a massive milestone for my family – my mom, dad, and brother – I worked hard but I do not take lightly what I have accomplished.”

Matongo made his debut for FNB Maties in the 2022 FNB Varsity Cup season when Maties came very close to clinching a sixth title. Towering at 1.81 metres, the former Northwood player has the world at his feet and with his recently signed two-year senior contract with Western Province, he has his sights set on emulating his childhood hero.

Much like Beast, Matongo has taken a similar pathway en route to professional rugby, they both even started as loose forwards before migrating to the front row. Both found their form in Durban, however, Matongo has decided to complete his studies in Cape Town and has since made the Western Cape his home for at least two seasons.

“Beast has always been an inspiration for every kid from Zimbabwe, what he has accomplished is nothing short of spectacular,” Matongo said. “We both started playing loose forwards, we both played in Durban, and we both play in the front row. Tendai is an inspiration and I hope that I can achieve some of what he has done.

“I look up to him in a massive way, he is my rugby idol and I hope I can inspire as many youngsters as he has in what has been a very successful and illustrious career.”

The B.Acc graduate has his sights firmly set on finishing his third season with Maties on a strong foot and hopefully with some silverware before he reports for duty at Western Province Rugby. The seasoned prop has scored six tries so far in the regular Varsity Cup season

“I recently signed a two-year deal with Western Province, which I am very happy about,” Matongo continued. “Rugby will take the front-row seat for now, I have my degree qualification which I will look to complete my articles at a later stage, but for now it will be Vernon Matongo the rugby player.”

[assfly]

Awesome. That makes him the fourth Zimbabwean playing URC for a South African team.
Let's hope he carries that form into the RWC qualification in a few weeks.

[OomStruisbaai]

Awesome. That makes him the fourth Zimbabwean playing URC for a South African team.
Let's hope he carries that form into the RWC qualification in a few weeks.

He came at the right time for the Stormers. On the TH side its a worry with Brok's injury altho Neethling Fouche ban is finished after the Scarlet's match.

[Slick]

Awesome. That makes him the fourth Zimbabwean playing URC for a South African team.
Let's hope he carries that form into the RWC qualification in a few weeks.

He came at the right time for the Stormers. On the TH side its a worry with Brok's injury altho Neethling Fouche ban is finished after the Scarlet's match.

Sounds a bit poachy

[OomStruisbaai]

Awesome. That makes him the fourth Zimbabwean playing URC for a South African team.
Let's hope he carries that form into the RWC qualification in a few weeks.

He came at the right time for the Stormers. On the TH side its a worry with Brok's injury altho Neethling Fouche ban is finished after the Scarlet's match.

Sounds a bit poachy

Yes lots of poaching, Sharks poached him from Zimbabwe, Stormers poach him from the Sharks. But then his poaching came with education the main driver. Not many players first get their degree before playing rugby. Talking of which, the Varsity Cup in South Africa is a massive rugby factory nowadays. It catch those type of players that first want to get education and then play rugby. The channel in the amateur days of rugby.

[OomStruisbaai]

Talking of poaching, a worry is the Japanese getting after our schoolboy talent lately. Make sense for them to get them there and let them play for their test team.

[Uncle fester]

Awesome. That makes him the fourth Zimbabwean playing URC for a South African team.
Let's hope he carries that form into the RWC qualification in a few weeks.

Is he capped for Zimbabwe?

[assfly]

Is he capped for Zimbabwe?

Not yet. But we'll know in the next couple of weeks if he is to be called up for the series against Botswana.

[Sandstorm]

Is he capped for Zimbabwe?

Not yet. But we'll know in the next couple of weeks if he is to be called up for the series against Botswana.

No offence to the 3rd tier teams, but it seems like a waste of talent to ignore a possible Bok callup in 26/27 . If he turns out for Zim now, he'll hardly play any Test rugby for the next 10 years.

[assfly]

No offence to the 3rd tier teams, but it seems like a waste of talent to ignore a possible Bok callup in 26/27 . If he turns out for Zim now, he'll hardly play any Test rugby for the next 10 years.

Errr, that 3rd tier team is the 2nd best in Africa and on the verge of world cup qualification.

South Africa has a plethora of depth at prop. Why would you want to deny him the chance of playing for his birth county at a world cup, so he can wait a few years to try and get onto Rassies radar?

Zimbabwe play about 5 or 6 test a year. It's obviously not ideal but this is the shitshow that countries outside of the top 12 have to deal with. Perhaps if World Rugby and Rugby Africa got their finger out of their arses, they could arrange more games and we would have more competitive teams.

[OomStruisbaai]

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Ospreys

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 18.00 IRE & UK / 19.00 ITA / 19.00 SA

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 40th league game)

AR 1: Morne Ferreira (SARU) AR 2: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)

TMO: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

Live on: SuperSport, BBC Wales, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv



Munster v Ulster

Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 20.35 SA

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 44th league game)

AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)

TMO: Keith David (WRU)

Live on: RTÉ, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv





SATURDAY, MAY 10


Vodacom Bulls v Cardiff Rugby

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA / 16.00 SA

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU, 28th league game)

AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: Dylen November (SARU)

TMO: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Live on: SuperSport, S4C, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv



DHL Stormers v Dragons RFC

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 18.15 SA

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 52nd league game)

AR 1: AJ Jacobs (SARU) AR 2: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)

TMO: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Live on: SuperSport, S4C, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv



Leinster v Zebre Parma

Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 18.15 SA

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 53rd league game)

AR 1: Keane Davison (IRFU) AR 2: Dan Carson (IRFU)

TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)

Live on: RTÉ, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv



Benetton v Glasgow Warriors

Stadio Monigo, Treviso – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 18.15 SA

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 66th league game)

AR 1: Federico Vedovelli (FIR) AR 2: Lauren Jenner (FIR)

TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv



Connacht v Edinburgh Rugby

Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 20.35 SA

Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU, 11th league game)

AR 1: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU) AR 2: Padraic Reidy (IRFU)

TMO: Tom Spurrier (WRU)

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv



SUNDAY, MAY 11
Emirates Lions v Scarlets

Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg – KO 14.00 IRE & UK / 15.00 ITA / 15.00 SA

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 104th league game)

AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

Live on: SuperSport, S4C, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

[Uncle fester]

Interesting. The refs in South Africa are doubling up and TMO'ing the others game.

[OomStruisbaai]

Teams

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emmanuel Tshituka, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 .Yaw Penxe

Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Morgan Morse, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 6 James Ratti, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Spencer, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Steffan Thomas, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Will Griffiths, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Iestyn Hopkins.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Morné Ferreira (South Africa), Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: An

[OomStruisbaai]

DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.


100 for Damian Willemse

Dobson added that Willemse has shown that he is a one-of-a-kind talent.

“I don’t think Damian always gets the recognition that he deserves for what he brings to our team. This is someone who has proven himself at the highest level and would walk into any team in the world.

“You will not find a more professional player, but what really stands out is his commitment and loyalty. It means so much for him to represent this team and our supporters, so this is a big moment in the career of one of our greatest players,” he said.

[Sards]

Eben must retire. Costing the Sharks a fortune for nothing

[Sards]

DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.


100 for Damian Willemse

Dobson added that Willemse has shown that he is a one-of-a-kind talent.

“I don’t think Damian always gets the recognition that he deserves for what he brings to our team. This is someone who has proven himself at the highest level and would walk into any team in the world.

“You will not find a more professional player, but what really stands out is his commitment and loyalty. It means so much for him to represent this team and our supporters, so this is a big moment in the career of one of our greatest players,” he said.

He can tie Sachas boots.

[Chilli2]

Fuck me, Hendricks must be the slowest 9 in history.

[Sards]

Ospreys have given everything

You have to give them credit

[assfly]

Nice bonus point win, but fucks sake we make hard work of it.
We really are playing some turgid rugby this season. It beggars belief how we are so high in the table.

[Sards]

Nice bonus point win, but fucks sake we make hard work of it. X
We really are playing some turgid rugby this season. It beggars belief how we are so high in the table.

It's a good thing. Rather win hard matches than win easy . Come finals it will definitely be an advantage.

Listen. Only 4 losses for the season. Only the Bulls are as prolific for the South African sides. The Stormers have lost 7