Underdogs. Written off. Not given a chance. For Morné Steyn, that’s exactly where any South African rugby team thrives, and it’s this mindset which he believes the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions will carry with them into their Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Leinster this weekend.
As the Vodacom Bulls prepare for their fifth consecutive appearance in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Playoffs, Marcell Coetzee has a deep feeling within himself that this is a very special moment for his team.
It was a round of mixed fortunes for South Africa’s four Vodacom United Rugby Championship teams as the curtain came down on the regular season, with the Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks finishing the pool stages with impressive wins, while the DHL Stormers and Fidelity Securedrive Lions suffered disappointing defeats, but remained in the top eight for quarter-final berths.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks close out the 2026 Vodacom United Rugby Championship with a final round clash against Zebre at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon, looking to end the season on a high.
The DHL Stormers have already locked in home ground advantage for the quarter-finals, but the Vodacom Bulls and Fidelity Securedrive Lions will go flat out in their final Vodacom United Rugby Championship pool matches this weekend to ensure they are also playing their top-eight encounters at home. (more…)
After navigating a season filled with highs and lows, Neethling Fouché and his DHL Stormers teammates have shifted their attention towards finishing strongly and building momentum for the challenges ahead.
The DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, and Fidelity SecureDrive Lions all remained in the running for hosting Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-finals in a riveting penultimate pool round, which delivered a dramatic draw, two bonus-point victories and only one defeat for the South African teams.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks have had two weeks since their last match to prepare for the penultimate Vodacom United Rugby Championship match of the current season, welcoming Benetton to Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.
The DHL Stormers, Fidelity Securedrive Lions and Vodacom Bulls will go in search of crucial victories in what promises to be a thrilling penultimate pool round of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this weekend, with all three South African teams still in the running to host quarter-finals when the playoffs start.
Lions flyhalf Chris Smith is relishing the opportunity to help his side secure their place in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs.