South African Teams Charge Into Vodacom URC Quarter-Finals
The pressure is on as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) reaches the knockout stages. This weekend, South Africa’s flag will be flown high by the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers in their respective quarter-final clashes.
The Bulls, runners-up in the regular season, hold a home advantage against seventh-placed Benetton in Pretoria (15:30). A win secures not only victory but also the coveted semi-final on home turf. This adds significant weight to the passionate Loftus Versfeld crowd’s already fervent support.
The Stormers, in uncharted territory for a quarter-final (fifth place), face a challenging away fixture against the fourth-placed Glasgow Warriors in Scotland (20:35). This marks the first time in seven playoffs that the Capetonians won’t be playing at home.
For both South African sides, the stakes are high. Remarkably, this is the third consecutive year that both Pretoria and Cape Town teams have reached the quarter-finals. The Bulls will be hungry for revenge after losing to the Stormers in the 2021/22 final, while the Stormers will be aiming to go one better than their narrow defeat to Munster last year.
The Bulls enter the match as clear favorites. Their record-breaking attacking stats (85 tries, the most ever in the Vodacom URC regular season) and home fortress advantage will boost their confidence. However, Benetton should not be underestimated. They boast impressive away-win records and a narrow points deficit compared to the Bulls. Additionally, their recent victory over the Sharks in Durban proves they can cause an upset.
The Bulls hold the upper hand historically, having beaten Benetton in their last two meetings in Pretoria. This familiarity, coupled with the high-scoring encounter just two rounds ago (56-35 to the Bulls), suggests a gripping match awaits.
The Stormers head into their clash against Franco Smith’s Warriors as underdogs, a label they’ll be determined to shed. While Glasgow boasts the better attacking stats, the Stormers have a marginally better defensive record. Their recent away victories and experience securing bonus points in challenging situations will fuel their confidence.
The Warriors will be wary of writing off the Stormers, especially considering their dominant victory (20-9) in the earlier meeting this season. However, the Stormers’ defensive focus during their preparations will likely prove crucial. With only one win separating the two teams this season, expect a tense and unpredictable encounter.
Other Quarter-Finals
In the remaining quarter-finals, log leaders and defending champions Munster host Ospreys at Thomond Park, while Leinster face Ulster in an Irish derby at the Aviva Stadium.
The semi-finalists, along with dates and times, will be confirmed after this weekend’s matches.
Vodacom URC Quarter-Final Match Info:
Vodacom Bulls vs. Benetton
- Date: Saturday, 8 June
- Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Glasgow Warriors vs. DHL Stormers
- Date: Saturday, 8 June
- Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
- Referee: Chris Busby