URC Weekend Preview: Confirmed Sharks, Lions, Bulls and Stormers Teams and Betting Angles

André Esterhuizen is back to lead the Sharks in Cardiff, Francke Horn returns for the Lions in Edinburgh, and South Africa’s two home sides have put considerable faith in their replacement forwards. The confirmed teams put forward depth and some unfamiliar combinations at the centre of the URC weekend.

The Sharks and Lions play simultaneously on Friday night before the Bulls and Stormers take over on Saturday afternoon. All four franchises enter Round 4 in the top seven, but their positions conceal different challenges: protecting a promising start on tour, sustaining home momentum and finding combinations that can carry the workload beyond one good European performance.

URC weekend fixtures and the early standings

The league resumes after the European opening round covered in our European rugby weekend wrap. These are the four South African fixtures, with every kick-off shown in SAST.

Edinburgh lead with 14 points from three wins. The Bulls and Stormers are third and fourth on 11 points, followed by the Sharks on 10, Cardiff on nine and the Lions on nine. Ulster sit 11th with eight points and Scarlets 12th with seven. There are no South African franchise fixtures on Sunday.

Cardiff vs Sharks: Springboks return, but the home record matters

Esterhuizen’s return gives the Sharks a powerful midfield reference point. With Jurenzo Julius outside him and Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe on the wings, the visitors have several ways to turn front-foot possession into territory or a clean break.

The Sharks’ official team announcement also puts Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit among the replacements. That is the selection’s most interesting tactical feature. JP Pietersen can introduce two Springbok props after Cardiff’s starting pack has already carried a substantial workload, with Stephan Lewies and Vincent Tshituka adding further forward options.

There is still a match to manage before those changes. Jaden Hendrikse and Gianni Lombard start together at halfback, while Zekhethelo Siyaya is at fullback. Esterhuizen’s physical presence could help simplify their decisions by giving the attack a reliable carrier through the middle. Eben Etzebeth is on the club’s unavailable list; the announcement does not specify a diagnosis.

Cardiff have made 11 changes from the Northampton match, including an entirely different starting pack. Liam Belcher returns as captain, Josh McNally and Teddy Williams start at lock, and Josh Adams and Cam Winnett are back from injury. Jarrod Evans starts at flyhalf, with Callum Sheedy among the replacements.

The Welsh side are unbeaten at the Arms Park since December. Both teams have won twice in three league games, and only one point separates them. Those details deserve as much attention as the returning Springboks.

Betting angle: We would examine a second-half Sharks market before committing to a large full-match winning margin. Nche and Du Toit offer a credible reason to investigate late scrum pressure, but Cardiff’s home record makes a comfortable away victory a demanding assumption. The starting Sharks front row must first keep the contest within reach.

Sharks starting XV and replacements

Starting XV: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya; 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 André Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker; 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Matt Romao; 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins; 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Phatu Ganyane.

Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jaco Williams.

Edinburgh vs Lions: Horn returns for the toughest away assignment

The Lions have a clear organising presence back at No. 8. Francke Horn resumes the captaincy, Nico Steyn starts alongside Chris Smith, and Quan Horn supplies the last line of defence at fullback. Boan Venter starts at loosehead against the club where he spent nearly five seasons.

In the Lions’ published team release, Batho Hlekani replaces Siba Qoma, who is following concussion protocols. Venter’s familiarity with Edinburgh offers useful preparation, although winning the scrum and securing clean possession will still require the whole pack to deliver.

Edinburgh bring back Duhan van der Merwe on the wing and Grant Gilchrist at lock. Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and Ollie Blyth-Lafferty form the front row, while Matt Currie and Magnus Bradbury share the captaincy. Darcy Graham misses out as a precaution after calf tightness, and Freddy Douglas is unavailable following a training concussion.

Van der Merwe gives Edinburgh a demanding target for the Lions’ kick chase. Kicking long without an organised pursuit risks handing him space to build speed; kicking inaccurately towards the touchline can surrender possession without making Edinburgh work for it. The Lions’ response needs to combine Smith’s territorial decisions with disciplined work from the wings.

The Lions continue their tour after losing teammate Hyron Andrews. Assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys has spoken appreciatively of the support received from across rugby during an exceptionally difficult week.

Betting angle: Edinburgh’s three league wins and home advantage support a home-win lean. A sizeable minus handicap asks more of them, particularly with the Lions able to threaten through Henco van Wyk and broken-field opportunities. Wind and the quality of the early kick chase would influence our assessment of a points total; neither a high score nor an automatic under follows simply from the venue being in Scotland.

Lions starting XV and replacements

Starting XV: 15 Quan Horn; 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronje; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe; 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen; 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Morné Brandon, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Zian Cilliers, 22 Richard Kriel, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.

Bulls vs Ulster: Pollard keeps continuity behind a changed pack

Johan Ackermann has retained the backline from the 56–20 victory over Stade Français and substantially changed the forwards. Handré Pollard and Paul de Wet remain at halfback, with Harold Vorster and Sango Xamlashe together in midfield. Embrose Papier faces several weeks out after ankle surgery, leaving Zak Burger as the replacement scrumhalf.

The Bulls’ selection announcement restores Marcell Coetzee as captain and moves Elrigh Louw to No. 8. Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Francois Klopper form a new starting front row, with Ruan Vermaak and Reinhardt Ludwig paired at lock. Cameron Hanekom and Marco van Staden are among the named replacements.

For Pollard, the benefit of backline continuity depends on the new pack delivering usable possession. Clean lineout ball allows him to choose between territory and releasing the centres. Slow ball against an organised Ulster defence would make the same backline a much less comfortable proposition.

Ulster’s selected side is captained by hooker Tom Stewart and includes Juarno Augustus at No. 8, Nick Timoney on the flank and Stuart McCloskey at inside centre. Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy are the halfbacks, with Jacob Stockdale at fullback. There is enough carrying strength there to make the Bulls defend through repeated phases.

Ulster have drawn their last two URC matches, against Glasgow and Munster, and beat Zebre Parma 40–21 in Europe. The Bulls have the stronger league scoring record, with 126 points scored and 54 conceded compared with Ulster’s 88 and 93. That supports the hosts, although three rounds remain a small sample.

Betting angle: A Bulls win is our preferred direction here. A generous winning-margin target needs more scrutiny because the forward changes introduce a fresh coordination test and Ulster have shown they can stay in contests. We would want early evidence of Bulls lineout control and clean exits before upgrading that lean to a more demanding handicap.

Bulls starting XV and replacements

Starting XV: 15 Luan Giliomee; 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Cheswill Jooste; 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet; 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain); 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak; 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements, as numbered in the club release: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Dylan Maart.

Stormers vs Scarlets: Pead and Muller get their opportunity

Haashim Pead starts alongside Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Markus Muller makes his first Stormers start at inside centre. With Warrick Gelant at fullback, there is ample scope for the hosts to vary the point of attack and bring their wings into play.

The Stormers’ official announcement confirms that Paul de Villiers continues as captain, with Ruhan Nel resting as a precaution. Hacjivah Dayimani returns at No. 8 after missing the Bristol match through concussion, moving Evan Roos to blindside. Riley Norton and Connor Evans are the new lock pairing.

The bench offers John Dobson several ways to steady or accelerate the game. JD Schickerling and Adré Smith provide second-row cover, Deon Fourie adds another forward option, and Cobus Reinach can change the tempo at scrumhalf. The six-forward split also leaves responsibility with the starting backs to manage the available cover.

Scarlets captain Josh Macleod leads a side with 18-year-old Carwyn Leggatt-Jones at flyhalf and Gareth Anscombe on the bench. Joe Hawkins replaces the injured Johnny Williams at inside centre, while former Stormer Alex Groves partners Sam Lousi at lock. Their wins over Benetton and Newcastle give the visitors recent encouragement despite their low league position.

The Stormers are unbeaten in five previous meetings with Scarlets and arrive after beating Bristol 49–12. Their changed midfield still has defensive work to establish, especially when the visitors move the ball away from the first collision.

Betting angle: The home-win case is persuasive. For a higher points total, the more useful question is whether Scarlets can contribute as well as contain the Stormers. The attacking selections encourage interest, but a Stormers-dominated match and a high combined score are different propositions. We would avoid individual try-scorer selections without a convincing price and a clear view of the attacking roles.

Stormers starting XV and replacements

Starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant; 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Markus Muller, 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Haashim Pead; 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Evan Roos, 6 Paul de Villiers (captain); 5 Connor Evans, 4 Riley Norton; 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Yaqeen Ahmed.

The Betting Read

Our strongest directional preferences are the Bulls and Stormers at home, with Edinburgh’s unbeaten league start supporting the hosts in the Lions fixture. Cardiff against the Sharks is the match where the bench suggests a more specific approach than simply choosing a winner.

These are selection-based assessments, not price-backed value claims. No live odds are quoted here. Our URC betting guide explains the markets to compare once you have the actual handicap, total or second-half price in front of you.

The replacements could decide the weekend

Friday tests whether the Sharks can turn their returning internationals into sustained away pressure and whether the Lions can disrupt the league leaders’ control. Saturday asks the Bulls’ changed pack to serve a settled backline, then gives the Stormers’ new combinations a chance to justify their selection.

The useful betting decision is how much to ask of those teams. Winning the match, covering a large handicap and winning a particular half require different evidence. Use our sports betting guides to compare those options, then judge the line against the selected 23 rather than the badge alone.

Welcome bonus

Up to R6,000 Welcome Bonus

New customers only. 100% match on each of your first three deposits, up to R6,000 in total. Qualifying deposits and wagering requirements apply. T&Cs apply. 18+.

View offer ↗

Affiliate disclosure: StraightBet may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. This does not affect our editorial independence. 18+ only. Bet responsibly. Winners know when to stop. Get help and support.

18+ only. Betting carries risk, so keep it within your means. This guide is written for South African residents and refers to operators licensed by provincial gambling boards under the National Gambling Act. If gambling is taking a toll on you or someone you know, the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline is free and open 24/7 on 0800 006 008, or text HELP to 076 675 0710. Winners know when to stop.