United Rugby Championship

Ulster brace for ‘hammer’ blows in SA

Ulster coach Dan McFarland expects that his side will get “hit with a big hammer” as they pursue victory on the SA leg of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.

Malherbe ‘back in the mix’ for Ulster clash

The Stormers hope to have Frans Malherbe back to combat the physicality of Duane Vermeulen and his fellow Ulster heavyweights on Saturday in Cape Town.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 19: Bismarck du Plessis of the Vodacom Bulls running onto the pitch with the Vodacom Blue Bulls during the Carling Currie Cup match between DHL Western Province and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on January 19, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Bismarck cops slap on the wrist for WWE hit

Bismarck du Plessis has copped a three-match suspension for his WWE-tackle against Munster, but the Vodacom Bulls hooker has already served his ban for two of the games and could play in Saturday’s clash against Dragons.

Belfast , United Kingdom - 10 December 2021; Duane Vermeulen during the Ulster rugby captain's run at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By John Dickson/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Vermeulen named in strong Ulster squad for SA tour

Ulster coach Dan McFarland has included Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen in a powerful touring group for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship tour of South Africa.

Lions' Ruan Vermaak (L) reacts after receiving a yellow card during the Super Rugby match between the New Zealand Blues and South Africa's Lions at Eden Park in Auckland on March 14, 2020. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images)

Bulls sign former Junior Bok forward

The Vodacom Bulls have announced the signing of former Junior Springbok and Lions lock, Ruan Vermaak.

Edinburgh load up on Saffas for SA trip

Two of three former Cheetahs front-rankers have been included in Edinburgh’s 32-man squad for the Scottish side’s two-match tour of South Africa in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Cardiff: Stormers on different level to rest of URC

Cardiff boss Dai Young says the Stormers are playing on “a different level” to the rest of the teams competing in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Poll: Pick your Bok back row to face Wales

SA teams have been in rampant form in the United Rugby Championship over the past fortnight, but have the standout players done enough to force their way into your Springbok back row?

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 19: Curwin Bosch of the Cell C Sharks celebrates with Werner Kok and Boeta Chamberlain of the Cell C Sharks during the United Rugby Championship match between Cell C Sharks and Zebre Parma at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on March 19, 2022 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

State of the URC: SA teams continue winning march

All of the South African teams maintained their winning form on home soil in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship over the weekend, with the Vodacom Bulls, Sharks and Stormers picking up bonus-point victories.

Highlights: Six-try Stormers maintain URC playoff push

The Stormers capped off another perfect round for South African franchises in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship with a dominant victory over Cardiff Rugby in Cape Town on Sunday.