Teams, fixtures and results from Round 16 of the United Rugby Championship:
Friday, 25 April:
Glasgow Warriors 19-26 Bulls - RECAP
Cardiff 26-21 Munster
Zebre 25-25 Edinburgh
Saturday, 26 April:
Lions 26-7 Connacht - RECAP
Ospreys 57-24 Dragons
Stormers 56-5 Benetton - RECAP
Scarlets 35-22 Leinster
Ulster 19-22 Sharks - RECAP
2025-04-25 11:39:11
Two changes to Sharks pack for Ulster battle
Sharks coach John Plumtree hasmade two changes to his starting XV for Saturday's URC clash against Irish sideUlster in Belfast.
The Sharks edged Edinburgh 18-17last weekend after scoring a try at the death.
The two changes are in the forward pack, with Jason Jenkins coming in for theinjured Emile van Heerden at lock and James Venter starting at flank in placeof Phepsi Buthelezi.
Speaking from the team's campin Belfast, centre Andre Esterhuizen admits they are in a good mental space andlooking to finish off the two-week tour on a high.
"We've taken a lot of learningsfrom our game against Edinburgh, and we’ve had a good training week leadinginto this match against Ulster.
"The boys are looking focusedand ready for the task ahead, everyone is in high spirits and the mood in thecamp is great.
"We've had a good tour so far,but we know we have a big, big game against Ulster. It's a massive game forthem, their last home game and they'll be amped. They also have some playerswho will feature in their last ever home game for Ulster and we’re expecting alot from them.
"It's going to be physical andfast, they are a great attacking side so our defence needs to be on point andwe also need to be sharp with our attack to execute all the opportunities weget, and hopefully we put in a strong finish to the tour," said Esterhuizen.
Sharks team to face Ulster:
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 EthanHooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 JordanHenrikse, 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, 1Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 NtuthukoMchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Manu Tshituka, 19 Phepsi Buthelezi, 20 BradleyDavids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius
2025-04-25 11:20:42
Zas starts as Stormers make one change for Benetton clash
There is just one change to the Stormers starting starting line-up for URC clash with Benetton at Cape Town Stadium Saturday.
Leolin Zas makes his return on the left wing while Suleiman Hartzenberg will make an impact off the bench along with scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and utility forward Connor Evans, who has replaced the injured Deon Fourie.
The Stormers edged Connacht 34-29 at home last weekend.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said that it was important to keep continuity in selection for what is a vital match in the context of the season.
"We know that we will have to be much better this week than we were last week, so we wanted settled combinations in place.
"There was a lot we did right against Connacht and the challenge will be to ensure all aspects of our game are firing against what is a very tough Benetton side."
Stormers team:
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 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 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak
Substitutes: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Brok Harris, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg
2025-04-25 11:17:50
2025-04-24 14:29:06
White opts for experimental Bulls loose trio for Glasgow showdown
The Bulls have named an experimental loose trio in their matchday 23 to take on United Rugby Championship defending champions Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday (kick-off at 20:35, SA time).
In what will be a repeat of last season's URC final, Marcell Coetzee, last week's man of the match in a bruising encounter against Munster, will play from the bench with Jannes Kirsten starting in the No 6 jersey.
Marco van Staden makes a rare appearance as eighth man, with Cameron Hanekom ruled out due to an unspecified injury.
Regular five-lock Ruan Nortje starts at blindside flank and will captain the side.
Johan Goosen and Embrose Papier are the starting half-backs again, with Willie le Roux returning to the matchday squad on the subs bench.
With three games remaining before the playoffs, the match offers the Bulls a chance to pip Glasgow in second on the log, which could secure a home semi-final down the line.
Bulls team
15 Devon Williams, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Ruan Nortje (c), 6 Jannes Kirsten, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Willie le Roux, 23 Stedman Gans.
