URC
DHL Stormers v Emirates Lions: All you need to know
The DHL Stormers will end the year with a Vodacom Uninted Rugby Championship clash with the Emirates Lions at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
Match information
The South African derby kicks off at 19h00 on New Year’s Eve, with gates at DHL Stadium opening at 16h00. So get there early and kick off your new year with us.
Bars in the stadium will shut down 30 minutes after the final whistle and the venue will shut down 60 minutes after the final whistle. Get in early and start your evening at DHL Stadium.
A win against the Johannesburg side will mean that the DHL Stormers have gone the entire calendar year of 2022 unbeaten at DHL Stadium.
Their win against the Vodacom Bulls last week put them at the top of the South African Shield and in second place on the overall standings, so they will be looking to consolidate that position with another good performance.
There are cash prizes of R5000 each courtesy of Vodacom for best dressed and those who star in our kiss cam, dance cam, flex cam and guitar cam. So get in the spirit and win.
Get there early
Gates at DHL Stadium open at 16h00, with kick-off against the Emirates Lions at 19h00. The beer garden in the stadium will be open both before and after the game, so get there early to make sure you don’t miss any of the action. There will be a Red Bull DJ in the beer garden, which opens at 16h00 and closes 60 minutes after the final whistle (bars close 30 minutes post final whistle).
Heavy traffic congestion is expected, so all those attending the match are encouraged to get there early and make use of the free MyCiTi shuttle services available from The Civic and Thibault stations.
The V&A Waterfront and the surrounding beaches will also be extremely busy on the evening, so parking in the area will be at a premium and there will be strict enforcement on illegally parked vehicles.
Road closures
Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Vlei Road, Stephan Way and Fort Wynyard Street will all be closed from 14h00 until 22h30, with restrictions only on Helen Suzman Boulevard, Somerset Road, Main Road and Granger Bay Boulevard.
Parking
There is dedicated stadium rugby parking available at the P2 (CLICK HERE to book), P4 and P9 (R100 cash on entry) stadium parking areas, while there is also dedicated parking available in the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) P1 parking area, with a free MyCiTi shuttle (CLICK HERE to book).
DHL Stadium is in a residential precinct, so please respect the residents and co-operate with the traffic officials on duty. Please note that vehicles that are illegally parked will be fined and/or towed away.
Ticket holders with disabilities must formally request access to the parking bays dedicated in P5 for people with disabilities, by sending an e-mail to [email protected] These parking bays are limited and available on a first-come first-served basis.
Free MyCiTi shuttles
There will be free MyCiTi shuttle services between the CTICC and the Drop and Go area in Helen Suzman Boulevard every 15 minutes, starting at 16h00 with the last shuttle at 22h30.
There are also free MyCiTi shuttle services between the Stadium and both the Civic Centre Bus Station and Thibault Square bus station, which will be available free for all those with a match ticket.
The first bus from the Civic Centre bus station in Hertzog Boulevard leaves at 16h00. Thereafter a bus leaves every 15 minutes or when full. The last return bus leaves the Stadium bus station at 22h30.
All supporters using the MyCiTi bus shuttles should be at the stadium by 18h00 at the latest as the dedicated bus lane will be dissolved at that time as traffic is expected to peak in the precinct at that time. The MyCiTi shuttles will still be running but will not have a dedicated lane.
Use public transport to the Civic Centre bus station and either catch the free event shuttle to the Stadium or use the Fan Walk.
E-Hailing
It is recommended that those using e-hailing are dropped off and collected in the CBD at DF Malan Drive opposite the Artscape Theatre, Hertzog Boulevard or Jan Smuts Street and then use the MyCiTi shuttle which is free to all event ticket holders from the Civic Centre Station or Thibault Square Station, or alternatively use the Fan Walk.
There is an e-hailing drop-off area in Helen Suzman Boulevard between Vlei Road and Beach Road on both sides, but spectators are warned that drop-and-go and pick-up around the stadium will have very long delays due to traffic congestion.
Match tickets
Tickets are available to purchase at ticketpros.co.za (CLICK HERE to buy your ticket now) Only tickets purchased via Ticketpro are valid.
Please print your match ticket clearly and also bring a digital version on your phone and have both ready to scan in as easily as possible at the gates. There are no covid certificate or ID requirements to enter the stadium.
Stadium seating
The South Stand is the party stand. The North Stand is the family stand and blocks 108 and 109 are alcohol free.
Other information
Spectators are urged to be aware of the threat of car jamming in parking areas and pickpockets and keep your valuable close to you at all times.
Please note that no spectator is allowed access to the pitch. Any person invading the pitch can be prosecuted as this is a criminal offence.
List of prohibited items for events at DHL Stadium
Umbrellas
Food and drinks of any kind
Bottles: Cans, glass or Plastic bottles of any kind including squeezer bottles
Firearms, ammunition or device as defined in the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No.60 of 2000)
Fireworks
Sharp metal objects
Explosives
Tear gas, mace or similar airborne chemical agents
Narcotics
Items which could cause injury
Banners or flags with, racist, sexist, discriminatory or offensive content
Flagpole or banner pole of any kind, unless it is made from inflammable and flexible plastic and does not exceed 1 metre in length 1cm in diameter
Ambush marketing items
Animals
Liquor
Drunkenness and unacceptable behaviour
Dangerous weapons as defined in Dangerous Weapon Act, 1968 (Act No.71 of 1968) including Knifes and sticks
Unauthorized Cameras with detachable lenses
Fraudulent tickets
We are very excited to welcome the Faithful to DHL Stadium for this Vodacom United Rugby Championship South African derby encounter and look forward to enjoying the day with you cheering our team on in the stands.
Content & Images from - Stormers Rugby
Liam Williams will line-up at full back for Cardiff’s New Year’s Day derby against Ospreys at the Arms Park (KO 3pm).
The British and Irish Lion has been out of action since suffering a shoulder injury on his Blue and Blacks debut in September, but returns for the crucial derby encounter, which is expected to be played in front of a sell-out crowd.
Dai Young’s men head into the clash on the back of a dramatic Boxing Day win over Dragons RFC, and will be looking to extend their advantage over their Welsh rivals in the BKT United Rugby Championship table.
Williams is joined in the back three by fellow Lion, Josh Adams, with Owen Lane occupying the opposite wing.
Rey Lee-Lo and Ben Thomas continue their midfield partnership, but a change at outside half sees Jarrod Evans returning to the 10 jersey to link up with Tomos Williams.
With Dmitri Arhip and Dillon Lewis sidelined, Will Davies-King comes into the front row for his first league start for Cardiff. He joins Rhys Carré and Liam Belcher, while Seb Davies and Lopeti Timani combine at lock.
An unchanged back row of Taulupe Faletau, Thomas Young and captain Josh Turnbull completes the line-up.
Cardiff director of rugby, Dai Young said: “It’s great to head back to Cardiff Arms Park for what is set to be a sold out Welsh derby. These are the days you play or coach for and there has certainly been a buzz around training this week.
“We go into the game on the back of a bonus-point victory over the Dragons, in a game which was a brilliant advert for Welsh rugby, but while we were happy with the result, we know our performance must improve and that has been the focus this week.
“The Ospreys will certainly present a significant challenge. They had the better of us last season and boast one of the very best packs in Europe. We simply have to match that physicality and set-piece.
“But the boys are hugely motivated and focussed on the challenge ahead while it’s also great to welcome Liam Williams back, who along with our other senior players brings so much experience, drive and energy.
“It all makes for an exciting afternoon with two teams in good form going head-to-head in front of a capacity crowd.”
Cardiff have named a six-two split on the bench, with Teddy Williams, James Ratti and Keiron Assiratti all introduced to the matchday squad.
The Blue and Blacks face back-to-back home derbies, with Scarlets set to visit the capital next weekend.
Cardiff: Liam Williams; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carré, Liam Belcher, Will Davies-King, Lopeti Timani, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull (capt.), Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Ellis Jenkins, James Ratti, Lloyd Williams, Mason Grady
Unavailable: Josh Navidi, Willis Halaholo, Jacob Beetham, Gwilym Bradley, James Botham, Jamie Hill, Max Llewellyn, Dillon Lewis, Rhys Priestland, Theo Cabango, Dmitri Arhip
Content & Images from - Cardiff Rugby
Ulster ready for Munster match-up at Kingspan Stadium
22 minutes ago
Match Previews
The Ulster men are back in action in front of a home crowd as they look to take on Interpro rivals Munster at a packed-out Kingspan Stadium this Sunday (KO 5 15pm) in Round 11 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Following a festive fixture which saw Dan McFarland’s men inching the win at The Sportsground against Connacht, the province will be looking to back it up this weekend against another Interprovincial rival to start the new year off as they mean to go on.
The last remaining tickets for Sunday’s game can be found at ulster.rugby/buytickets.
With seven wins out of nine, Ulster are sat in third place in this season’s BKT United Rugby Championship, while Munster uncharacteristically are lagging behind in eleventh place, and will no doubt be stinging from a one-point defeat to Leinster in Round 10 at Thomond Park.
Not long ago, it was Ulster who walked away with a similar win in Limerick, but Forwards Coach, Roddy Grant, is expecting a different challenge to what the side faced back in October:
“Munster will be coming after us after we beat them at Thomond Park last time we met. We will be looking to put out our strongest team on Sunday, as we want to get a win in front of our supporters at home. We’ll be backing ourselves.”
The club will hold a moment’s silence ahead of kick-off to mark the passing of former Ulster, Ireland, and British and Irish Lions player, Ronnie Lamont MBE. The club remembers his contribution to the game in this week’s programme.
Ulster welcomes back raft of players from injury
As the province faces up to another tough challenge, Dan McFarland will be glad to welcome back Sean Reffell, Billy Burns, Jacob Stockdale, James Hume, and Rob Baloucoune.
After an injury in the warm-up at Thomond Park prevented Reffell from lining-out last time against Munster, he is given the nod at openside flanker, and is paired with Greg Jones, while World Cup-winning Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, is set to pull on the number eight jersey.
Leading the side out in front of a home crowd will be Iain Henderson, with fellow Irish international, Kieran Treadwell, joining him in the second row.
In a front row that is unchanged from the victory over Connacht, Henderson’s fellow Lions tourist, Rory Sutherland, retains his starting position at loosehead prop, with Marty Moore at tighthead, and last weekend’s Player of the Match following a brace of tries, Tom Stewart, completing the line-up.
Following a spell out with injury, Jacob Stockdale is back, and makes up a young home grown back three alongside Rob Baloucoune, who is also making a return, and another Ulster Rugby Academy graduate, Stewart Moore.
James Hume reignites his centre partnership with Stuart McCloskey, with another familiar pairing in John Cooney and Billy Burns named at scrum half and fly half respectively.
Forward cover comes from John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, and Jordi Murphy. The backline bench sees Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, and Ethan McIlroy get the call-up.
Ulster team to play Munster, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 11, Sunday 1 January at Kingspan Stadium (KO 5 15pm), live on Viaplay, TG4 and URC.tv.
(15-9): Stewart Moore, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;
(1-8): Rory Sutherland, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (Captain), Greg Jones, Sean Reffell, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, Jordi Murphy, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Ethan McIlroy.
The Opposition - Munster Rugby
(15-9): Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Keith Earls; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson;
(1-8): Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Roman Salanoa; Jean Kleyn, Kiran McDonald; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Cian Hurley, Jack O’Sullivan, Conor Murray, Ben Healy, Patrick Campbell.
Images & Content - Ulster Rugby
The Cell C Sharks see out the 2022 year with a New Year’s Eve derby against the Vodacom Bulls at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in what should be a tense and exciting Vodacom United rugby Championship clash.
Both teams have enjoyed a good run of form of late, although the Bulls came up short against the DHL Stormers in last weekend’s round of local derbies which saw them drop from second to fourth spot on the URC log.
Still, that loss aside, the Bulls continue to offer a real test against every opponent they face, including the Cell C Sharks.
The Durban side is enjoying a rich vein of form, having won their last four games across the URC and the Heineken Champions Cup and will go into this game with plenty of momentum and confidence, knowing they have the team and the ability to deliver performances that produce the results.
Following last week’s emphatic 37-10 victory over the Emirates Lions, the Cell C Sharks team named by Director of Rugby Neil Powell sees the return of some of the team’s big names.
Managing the heavy workload of his Springboks has been a delicate balancing act, but this week they are back in action, testament to the threat posed by the visiting Bulls.
Changes from last week’s side see Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi back to partner Thomas du Toit in an all-Springbok front row, while Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi return to start the game, with Kolisi leading the side into battle.
Henco Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe complete the back row.
Marnus Potgieter is in for the injured Werner Kok, this being the only change to last week’s backline as Powell looks to maintain continuity amongst the backs.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 4.45pm.
Cell C Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
7. Henco Venter
8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
9. Grant Williams
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Marnus Potgieter
15. Boeta Chamberlain
Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuuren
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Carlu Sadie
19. Hyron Andrews
20. Phepsi Buthelezi
21. Jaden Hendrikse
22. Lionel Cronje
23. Yaw Penxe
Content & Images from - Cell C Sharks Rugby
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