Official United Rugby Championship thread

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls by 50

[bok_viking]

Bulls by 50

Would be nice. I will be at the game Really need this win with preferably a bonus point and no points for Glasgow. If they can do this and win the last game they should be in a European spot for next year, no matter what happens around them I think.
The bulls have fallen in the habit of playing a really bad 1st half and then being on fire in the 2nd half. Not a problem if the scores are close at HT, but shown against the Stormers and Sharks earlier the season, allow the gap to be a little to much, the comebacks will be close but won't get you over the line. Not sure what it is with them and 1st halves. They seem to be half asleep when they start the games.

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls: 15 Canan Moodie, 14 James Verity-Amm, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Morne Steyn, 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.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Dylan Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Harold Vorster.

Date: Friday, April 29
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (18.00 UK & Ireland time; 17.00 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Glasgow Warriors – 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Cole Forbes, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Ali Price, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Ryan Wilson (c), 5 Richie Gray, 4 Rob Harley, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Subs: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Kiran McDonald, 20 Thomas Gordon, 21 Jamie Dobie, 22 Ross Thompson, 23 Sam Johnson.

[lemonhead]

Bulls by 50

Would be nice. I will be at the game Really need this win with preferably a bonus point and no points for Glasgow. If they can do this and win the last game they should be in a European spot for next year, no matter what happens around them I think.
The bulls have fallen in the habit of playing a really bad 1st half and then being on fire in the 2nd half. Not a problem if the scores are close at HT, but shown against the Stormers and Sharks earlier the season, allow the gap to be a little to much, the comebacks will be close but won't get you over the line. Not sure what it is with them and 1st halves. They seem to be half asleep when they start the games.

Glasgow aren't what they were, tight five will make a go of it but they've a habit of collapsing away from home over the 80.

More likely throw everything at their home derby which is a straight shootout for a home QF. 58pts looks like the target for 2nd spot

[OomStruisbaai]

Munster by 50

Munster v Cardiff
(Musgrave Park, Ireland – Kick-off: 19.35;

Teams:

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 Thomas Ahern, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 John Ryan, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Keynan Knox, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Jack Daly, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Shane Daly

Cardiff: 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Max Llewellyn, 11 Theo Cabango, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 James Ratti, 7 Josh Navidi (captain), 6 James Botham, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Seb Davies, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Kristian Dacey, 1 Rhys Carré
Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Brad Thyer, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Jamie Hill, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Garyn Smith

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Frank Murphy (Ireland), Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

[GrahamWa]

Bulls by 50

Would be nice. I will be at the game Really need this win with preferably a bonus point and no points for Glasgow. If they can do this and win the last game they should be in a European spot for next year, no matter what happens around them I think.
The bulls have fallen in the habit of playing a really bad 1st half and then being on fire in the 2nd half. Not a problem if the scores are close at HT, but shown against the Stormers and Sharks earlier the season, allow the gap to be a little to much, the comebacks will be close but won't get you over the line. Not sure what it is with them and 1st halves. They seem to be half asleep when they start the games.

You'll be fine, Glasgow haven't played in the 2nd half the whole season. We'd need to be ahead by about 60 to have a realistic chance. Bookies currently have the handicap as -9 in favour of the Bulls. The easiest money you'll make all year.

[robmatic]

Bulls by 50

Would be nice. I will be at the game Really need this win with preferably a bonus point and no points for Glasgow. If they can do this and win the last game they should be in a European spot for next year, no matter what happens around them I think.
The bulls have fallen in the habit of playing a really bad 1st half and then being on fire in the 2nd half. Not a problem if the scores are close at HT, but shown against the Stormers and Sharks earlier the season, allow the gap to be a little to much, the comebacks will be close but won't get you over the line. Not sure what it is with them and 1st halves. They seem to be half asleep when they start the games.

You'll be fine, Glasgow haven't played in the 2nd half the whole season. We'd need to be ahead by about 60 to have a realistic chance. Bookies currently have the handicap as -9 in favour of the Bulls. The easiest money you'll make all year.

Maybe Weir will not play like a drain this time and you'll be OK.

[GrahamWa]

Maybe Weir will not play like a drain this time and you'll be OK.

Left it late for 2 season firsts if that is the case.

[OomStruisbaai]

Would be nice. I will be at the game Really need this win with preferably a bonus point and no points for Glasgow. If they can do this and win the last game they should be in a European spot for next year, no matter what happens around them I think.
The bulls have fallen in the habit of playing a really bad 1st half and then being on fire in the 2nd half. Not a problem if the scores are close at HT, but shown against the Stormers and Sharks earlier the season, allow the gap to be a little to much, the comebacks will be close but won't get you over the line. Not sure what it is with them and 1st halves. They seem to be half asleep when they start the games.

You'll be fine, Glasgow haven't played in the 2nd half the whole season. We'd need to be ahead by about 60 to have a realistic chance. Bookies currently have the handicap as -9 in favour of the Bulls. The easiest money you'll make all year.

Maybe Weir will not play like a drain this time and you'll be OK.

I don't agree with Wilson

That is part of it. We need to make sure that we develop and prepare our squad tactically this time, it is horses for courses. Altitude, in terms of the kicking game, does become, whether we like it or not, important. You have to be able to have a kicking game. You have to be able to exit well. Otherwise, we will have a massive pack of forwards sat on our 22 and be facing driving lineout after driving lineout.

“Field position and the territory battle at altitude are going to be big. So, Duncan is part of that process. As we know he is a very educated, excellent kicking 10, but can also play that running game when we have asked him to

If you want to beat the Bulls, run at them, don't vokken kick the ball.

[fishfoodie]

Munster by 50

Munster v Cardiff
(Musgrave Park, Ireland – Kick-off: 19.35;

This is one thing that Munster do, that while it was ridiculous initially, might be something that other teams could do a better job of; i.e. not just play all their games in one city in their catchment area !

As any Munster fan or indeed player will tell you; the road between Limerick & Cork is horrible, & dangerous, & isn't one you travel on, if you don't have to.But the fact is that Munster has two Cities in it, & practically all their clubs are clustered around these two cities.

Munster have historically played some of their lower ranked fixtures in Cork, where the lower capacity isn't going to be an issue, & the last few years the Irish U20 played all the fixtures there to build a kind of Home Ground, & Home Team feeling for the place.

I wonder if the South African, or even Scottish teams would see a value in playing the occasional team outside of their home ground ?

[GrahamWa]

Munster by 50

Munster v Cardiff
(Musgrave Park, Ireland – Kick-off: 19.35;

This is one thing that Munster do, that while it was ridiculous initially, might be something that other teams could do a better job of; i.e. not just play all their games in one city in their catchment area !

As any Munster fan or indeed player will tell you; the road between Limerick & Cork is horrible, & dangerous, & isn't one you travel on, if you don't have to.But the fact is that Munster has two Cities in it, & practically all their clubs are clustered around these two cities.

Munster have historically played some of their lower ranked fixtures in Cork, where the lower capacity isn't going to be an issue, & the last few years the Irish U20 played all the fixtures there to build a kind of Home Ground, & Home Team feeling for the place.

I wonder if the South African, or even Scottish teams would see a value in playing the occasional team outside of their home ground ?

Glasgow and I think Embra used to play games in Perth and the Borders respectively but are trying to build city teams with an identity rather than their catchment areas now.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Stormers played on the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch against Zebre

[fishfoodie]

I just think it's a forward thinking way of growing the game.

If you're a chunky kid in Dundee; how often do you get the chance to see Pro Rugby live ?

If you're playing a team, & you'll maybe get a gate of 4,or 5k; why wouldn't you go out & play the game in a smaller venue, & do a deal where any adult with 2 or 3 kids gets in for a reduced rate; & do family deals etc, & just get bums on seats, & make it a great family night out ?

Growing the game takes decades, & it starts with kids <10 years old, & it ends with kids from unlikely backgrounds, playing for their Countries

[ia801310]

It's amazing how close and exciting the URC is this year.

I fear that next year may just be a 6 way battle between Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Stormers, Sharks and Bulls with the rest nowhere.

[fishfoodie]

It's amazing how close and exciting the URC is this year.

I fear that next year may just be a 6 way battle between Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Stormers, Sharks and Bulls with the rest nowhere.

Connacht have recruited/poached pretty well this year, & I think Connacht, Glasgow & Scarlets, & possibly Cardiff, are well capable of disrupting the top eight .... but I do agree, it's very competitive this year, & the standard of play has been improved, & that can only improve the competition !

[OomStruisbaai]

It's amazing how close and exciting the URC is this year.

I fear that next year may just be a 6 way battle between Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Stormers, Sharks and Bulls with the rest nowhere.

Rest nowhere? Forget it. Next year we,ll have a real challenge for our teams. CC , URC and European leagues.

Our teams will need to win away because they will play more in Europe next year.

The Stormers vs Leinster match is going to be the measure for me.

[average joe]

The Bulls used to play games at the Calabash in Nasrec sometimes.

[OomStruisbaai]

I just think it's a forward thinking way of growing the game.

If you're a chunky kid in Dundee; how often do you get the chance to see Pro Rugby live ?

If you're playing a team, & you'll maybe get a gate of 4,or 5k; why wouldn't you go out & play the game in a smaller venue, & do a deal where any adult with 2 or 3 kids gets in for a reduced rate; & do family deals etc, & just get bums on seats, & make it a great family night out ?

Growing the game takes decades, & it starts with kids <10 years old, & it ends with kids from unlikely backgrounds, playing for their Countries

Our rugby culture originate from our schools. That's where the 6 year old get use to rugby. That's why you get so many afrikaans players. You get interschools in the smallest of towns in South Africa. Rugby is the schools main sport.

[assfly]

Rugby is the schools main sport.

For a small selection of schools. It doesn't come close to soccer when you look at the country on a whole.

[robmatic]

I just think it's a forward thinking way of growing the game.

If you're a chunky kid in Dundee; how often do you get the chance to see Pro Rugby live ?

If you're playing a team, & you'll maybe get a gate of 4,or 5k; why wouldn't you go out & play the game in a smaller venue, & do a deal where any adult with 2 or 3 kids gets in for a reduced rate; & do family deals etc, & just get bums on seats, & make it a great family night out ?

Growing the game takes decades, & it starts with kids <10 years old, & it ends with kids from unlikely backgrounds, playing for their Countries

I think you overestimate the pent-up demand for watching pro-level rugby in Scotland. It's taken Edinburgh two decades and finally building a purpose-built stadium before they've starting achieving regular crowds of 5k, and that's in the most rugby-friendly city in the country.

[bok_viking]

The Bulls used to play games at the Calabash in Nasrec sometimes.

They also played a few games at Orlando stadium in Joburg, Right on the doorstep of the Lions. Biggest game they played there was the Final of Super Rugby against the Stormers if I remember correctly, though that game was right before the 2010 Football WC so they were not allowed to play in Loftus so close to the WC

[bok_viking]

Rugby is the schools main sport.

For a small selection of schools. It doesn't come close to soccer when you look at the country on a whole.

That small selection of schools are still quite a few schools though. Unfortunately school soccer is not close when it comes to interschool structures and competitions, most kids that want to play soccer needs to join local clubs instead of their schools offering competition through which is actually unfortunate as I would love if our soccer teams could get a steady stream of quality players coming through the school systems. The PSL in SA is very bad at developing grassroots soccer and are more interested in lining their own pockets.

[bok_viking]

Bulls by 50

Would be nice. I will be at the game Really need this win with preferably a bonus point and no points for Glasgow. If they can do this and win the last game they should be in a European spot for next year, no matter what happens around them I think.
The bulls have fallen in the habit of playing a really bad 1st half and then being on fire in the 2nd half. Not a problem if the scores are close at HT, but shown against the Stormers and Sharks earlier the season, allow the gap to be a little to much, the comebacks will be close but won't get you over the line. Not sure what it is with them and 1st halves. They seem to be half asleep when they start the games.

You'll be fine, Glasgow haven't played in the 2nd half the whole season. We'd need to be ahead by about 60 to have a realistic chance. Bookies currently have the handicap as -9 in favour of the Bulls. The easiest money you'll make all year.

I just hope for a good night out to the game, been enjoying getting back to the live games. Even if the crowds have not fully recovered yet, the atmosphere has been fantastic at the games I have been to so far.

[robmatic]

Would be nice. I will be at the game Really need this win with preferably a bonus point and no points for Glasgow. If they can do this and win the last game they should be in a European spot for next year, no matter what happens around them I think.
The bulls have fallen in the habit of playing a really bad 1st half and then being on fire in the 2nd half. Not a problem if the scores are close at HT, but shown against the Stormers and Sharks earlier the season, allow the gap to be a little to much, the comebacks will be close but won't get you over the line. Not sure what it is with them and 1st halves. They seem to be half asleep when they start the games.

You'll be fine, Glasgow haven't played in the 2nd half the whole season. We'd need to be ahead by about 60 to have a realistic chance. Bookies currently have the handicap as -9 in favour of the Bulls. The easiest money you'll make all year.

I just hope for a good night out to the game, been enjoying getting back to the live games. Even if the crowds have not fully recovered yet, the atmosphere has been fantastic at the games I have been to so far.

What's the reason for the low crowds?

[bok_viking]

You'll be fine, Glasgow haven't played in the 2nd half the whole season. We'd need to be ahead by about 60 to have a realistic chance. Bookies currently have the handicap as -9 in favour of the Bulls. The easiest money you'll make all year.

I just hope for a good night out to the game, been enjoying getting back to the live games. Even if the crowds have not fully recovered yet, the atmosphere has been fantastic at the games I have been to so far.

What's the reason for the low crowds?

It is not easy to pinpoint but I think there would be a few factors at play. One is economically, after Covid there are even more people struggling to make ends meet, even though most tickets are very cheap(the tickets I normally buy cost R50(£2.50) for a seat on the East stand opposite of the Grand Stand on the center line, close to the field. Grand stand tickets for the same position is R150(£7.50), the parking cost a lot more than those tickets, as well as fuel costs, etc. In the past a lot of supporters from the neighbouring towns would drive in for a game. The second issue is the vaccination/test requirement, for those not vaccinated the idea of going to get a test before the game might be to much of a bother, specially for people who tend to plan an outing on the last minute. Those tests do tend to cost a bit more than the tickets as well. There are most likely other factors like lazy people who got so used to sitting in front of the TV that they cannot be bothered to get out to a game. Though a 20k crowd can still look very small in a 50k seater stadium. There are also a lot less season ticket holders this year as nobody knew when we would get back into stadiums. But season tickets are pretty cheap as well, covering all Bulls games, as well as all cricket games in the nearby cricket stadium, all football games for the local team, one international rugby test and at least one international cricket game. All that for only about R2000(£100) for the season. Well worth it.

[robmatic]

I just hope for a good night out to the game, been enjoying getting back to the live games. Even if the crowds have not fully recovered yet, the atmosphere has been fantastic at the games I have been to so far.

What's the reason for the low crowds?

It is not easy to pinpoint but I think there would be a few factors at play. One is economically, after Covid there are even more people struggling to make ends meet, even though most tickets are very cheap(the tickets I normally buy cost R50(£2.50) for a seat on the East stand opposite of the Grand Stand on the center line, close to the field. Grand stand tickets for the same position is R150(£7.50), the parking cost a lot more than those tickets, as well as fuel costs, etc. In the past a lot of supporters from the neighbouring towns would drive in for a game. The second issue is the vaccination/test requirement, for those not vaccinated the idea of going to get a test before the game might be to much of a bother, specially for people who tend to plan an outing on the last minute. Those tests do tend to cost a bit more than the tickets as well. There are most likely other factors like lazy people who got so used to sitting in front of the TV that they cannot be bothered to get out to a game. Though a 20k crowd can still look very small in a 50k seater stadium. There are also a lot less season ticket holders this year as nobody knew when we would get back into stadiums. But season tickets are pretty cheap as well, covering all Bulls games, as well as all cricket games in the nearby cricket stadium, all football games for the local team, one international rugby test and at least one international cricket game. All that for only about R2000(£100) for the season. Well worth it.

Sounds like it might be much better next season with more season tickets then. Once you are committed at the start of the season, you keep up the habit of going to games.

[Chilli]

Sharks team:
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Boeta Chamberlain

[PCPhil]

It's amazing how close and exciting the URC is this year.

I fear that next year may just be a 6 way battle between Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Stormers, Sharks and Bulls with the rest nowhere.

Rest nowhere? Forget it. Next year we,ll have a real challenge for our teams. CC , URC and European leagues.

Our teams will need to win away because they will play more in Europe next year.

The Stormers vs Leinster match is going to be the measure for me.

Don’t know about Stormers v Leinster being a measure unless a few more 1st starters have been parachuted in.
You’d think that maybe next season or just after Pro16 could take another look at avoiding fixture congestion.

now I stumped up for my Premier Sports subscription I selfishly want my full monies worth

[Chilli]

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Francke Horn, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Sithembiso Sithole, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Manuel Rass, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel

.

[OomStruisbaai]

Rugby is the schools main sport.

For a small selection of schools. It doesn't come close to soccer when you look at the country on a whole.

Afrikaans schools. I do see that soccer is catching up in the top rugby schools like Paul Roos, Grey College, Grey High, Wynberg and Sacs.

At Paul Roos they started a junior soccer academy.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sharks v Connacht
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 16.05; 15.05 UK time; 14.05 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Sharks by 10 points

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Jeandré Labuschagne, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Henry Chamberlain.

Connacht: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 John Porch, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Tom Daly, 11 Alex Wootton, 10 Conor Fitzgerald, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Jarrad Butler (captain), 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Leva Fifita, 4 Gavin Thornbury, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley
Replacements: 16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Niall Murray, 20 Oisín Dowling, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Tiernan O’Halloran

Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers v Leinster
(Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 18.15; 17.15 UK time; 16.15 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Stormers by three points

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Juan de Jongh.

Leinster: 15 Max O’Reilly, 14 Adam Byrne, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Rory O’Loughlin, 11 Rob Russell, 10 Ciarán Frawley, 9 Cormac Foley, 8 Rhys Ruddock (captain), 7 Scott Penny, 6 Alex Soroka, 5 Josh Murphy, 4 Brian Deeny, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 John McKee 1 Ed Byrne
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Vakh Abdaladze, 19 Jack Dunne, 20 Seán O’Brien, 21 Nick McCarthy, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Martin Moloney

Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) & Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Crouse (South Africa)

[OomStruisbaai]

Game of the weekend
Edinburgh v Ulster
(The DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh – Kick-off: 19.35; 18.35 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Edinburgh by five points

Teams:

Edinburgh: 15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Damien Hoyland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 James Lang, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Blair Kinghorn, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Luke Crosbie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (captain), 4 Jamie Hodgson, 3 WP Nel, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Pierre Schoeman,
Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Harrison Courtney, 18 Lee-Roy Atalifo, 19 Pierce Phillips, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Chris Dean, 23 Matt Currie

Ulster: 15 Mike Lowry, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Ethan McIlroy, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Marcus Rea, 5 Iain Henderson (captain), 4 Kieran Treadwell, 3 Gareth Milasinovich, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Warwick,
Replacements: 16 Brad Roberts, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Ross Kane, 19 Alan O’Connor, 20 Matty Rea, 21 John Cooney, 22 Stewart Moore, 23 Rob Lyttle

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ian Kenny (Scotland) & Dunx McClement (Scotland)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)

[OomStruisbaai]

Ospreys v Scarlets
(Swansea Stadium, Swansea – Kick-off: 17.05; 16.05 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Scarlets by four points

Teams:

Ospreys: 15 Mat Protheroe, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Michael Collins, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Rhys Webb (captain), 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Will Griffiths, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Gareth Thomas,
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Rhys Davies, 20 Ethan Roots, 21 Reuben Morgan Williams, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 George North

Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Corey Baldwin, 13 Jonathan Davies (captain), 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Tomas Lezana, 6 Josh Macleod, 5 Jac Price, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Steff Thomas,
Replacements: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Rob Evans, 18 WillGriff John,19 Morgan Jones, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Steff Evans

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales) & Rhys Jones (Wales)
TMO: Wayne Davies (Wales)

[Chilli]

Come on Bulls!!!!!

It is time to step up to the plate.

[Chilli]

Jerseys are too similar in colour.

[Chilli]

Penalty try and yellow card.
0-7

[FalseBayFC]

What's the reason for the low crowds?

It is not easy to pinpoint but I think there would be a few factors at play. One is economically, after Covid there are even more people struggling to make ends meet, even though most tickets are very cheap(the tickets I normally buy cost R50(£2.50) for a seat on the East stand opposite of the Grand Stand on the center line, close to the field. Grand stand tickets for the same position is R150(£7.50), the parking cost a lot more than those tickets, as well as fuel costs, etc. In the past a lot of supporters from the neighbouring towns would drive in for a game. The second issue is the vaccination/test requirement, for those not vaccinated the idea of going to get a test before the game might be to much of a bother, specially for people who tend to plan an outing on the last minute. Those tests do tend to cost a bit more than the tickets as well. There are most likely other factors like lazy people who got so used to sitting in front of the TV that they cannot be bothered to get out to a game. Though a 20k crowd can still look very small in a 50k seater stadium. There are also a lot less season ticket holders this year as nobody knew when we would get back into stadiums. But season tickets are pretty cheap as well, covering all Bulls games, as well as all cricket games in the nearby cricket stadium, all football games for the local team, one international rugby test and at least one international cricket game. All that for only about R2000(£100) for the season. Well worth it.

Sounds like it might be much better next season with more season tickets then. Once you are committed at the start of the season, you keep up the habit of going to games.

Interest and attendance had been stagnating well before Covid hit. I think the unions and their professional arms have been complacent and have failed to adjust to the changing market. The teams don't lack for fans. I would say that that the passionate core fanbase of the big 5 SA teams (Cheetahs included) easily matches or exceeds most of the big European clubs. But BKs comments about affordability are very valid. South Africans have also become quite insular in their habits, preferring more intimate environments in their downtime. But sport can still be a big drawcard if marketed correctly. Big school derbys can attract 10-15000 spectators. The Varsity Cup final probably had a crowd of 12000.

[Chilli]

7-7

[FalseBayFC]

What a shitty lineout! Balking, throw to back, poorly executed feint by Nortje.