The Stormers will not only try to retain their spot at the top of the United Rugby Championship (URC) log this weekend, but also continue winning streak against Zebre Parma (kick off at 20:45 on Saturday).
At the start of the season, the Stormers have been flying the flag for the SA team, but this weekend the Bulls will be looking to bounce back in tough Galway, while the Sharks and Lions will aim for their first victories of season as they are back on home soil.
Last weekend, the Stormers were the only South African side to win, and the other three will be keen to change their fortunes in the fourth round.
The teams from Cape Town and Pretoria are in their second week on tour. The Stormers – top of the log after three wins from as many matches – probably have the easier assignment than the sixth-placed Vodacom Bulls, but both will be wary of their opponents.
The comforts of playing at home will count in the favour of the Sharks and Lions, neither of whom have started the season well and are in the lower half of the standings, but it’s still early days and there is time to turn their ships around.
The Bulls kick off the weekend action in Galway on Friday night (20:45) – not the easiest of venues to travel to as the Vodacom Bulls found out back in October 2021, when they lost 7-34 to Connacht on their first visit to Dexcom Stadium.
All URC Match Information and kick off times:
Connacht v Bulls
Date: Friday, 17 October
Venue: Dexcom Stadium, Galway
SA Time: 20:45
Referee: Mike Adamson
TV: SuperSport
Saturday action
Lions v Scarlets
Date: Saturday, 18 October
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
SA Time: 13:45
Referee: Eoghan Cross
TV: SuperSport
Sharks v Ulster
Date: Saturday, 18 October
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
SA Time: 16:00
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
TV: SuperSport
Zebre Parma v Stormers
Date: Saturday, 18 October
Venue: Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma
SA Time: 20:45
Referee: Andrew Brace
TV: SuperSport
On Wednesday, it was announced that Engen, part of the Vivo Energy Group, has joined as the Official Fuel Partner of the Vodacom URC in South Africa. The collaboration marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for rugby across the region, bringing together two brands united by passion, performance, and community.
