URC
Plenty of Positives

The Cell C Sharks can look back at their 40-12 Vodacom United Rugby Championship win over Glasgow Warriors at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday with pride and encouragement.
The bonus point victory sent the Cell C Sharks into fourth spot on the overall log with a game in hand, and they sit in a good position ahead of their home game against Ulster this weekend.
“We’re very happy with the outcome of this game,” explained Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt after the match, acknowledging that their game management came to the fore.
It wasn’t only in various facets of the game that they dominated, but it was about the way they handled the ebb and flow of the game, countering everything their athletic and physical opponents threw at them, before stepping up a gear later in the game.
“We knew it would be very difficult in the first half, but we also knew we had a lot of power coming off the bench,” the coach admitted. “The guys who played in the first 40 did the hard yards for us, and the game opened up nicely for us later.”
Leading 13-7 at half-time, the result was by no means wrapped up, but the damage had been done and all that was needed was calm heads and direction.
“There were a couple of things we spoke about at half-time, one of them was territory,” Everitt explained. “At times we needed to be a bit more conservative because we put ourselves under pressure territory-wise. That resulted in us giving them field position and we couldn’t get out of our half and play for a 15 minute period.
“But the guys stuck to the task and in the second half we earned territory and possession in the right areas of the field and we were able to score from those opportunities.
“We played well from turnover ball, but we also created lots of opportunities and it was really good that we got both our attack and defence right, we’re very happy with the result.
“It was one of those games where the starting line-up did the hard yards, laying the foundation and tiring out the opposition. There was a big impact off the bench.”
The immense presence and contribution from Eben Etzebeth earned him a deserved Man of the Match award and Everitt was full of praise for the debutant.
“There was much to be admired from his all-round performance, what a great start from him. He is one of the best players in the world, if not the best lock in the world and he certainly played like that and justly deserved his man-of-the-match award.
“Eben has fitted in really well, he did his lineout homework – and did it thoroughly because he was outstanding in the lineouts both on attack and defence. He was immense in disrupting their lineout, and we got quality possession from Hyron and Eben on our ball. When your lineout functions, you lay a good foundation to attack.”
Another debutant Vincent Tshituka also gave a strong contribution despite not being 100% right.
“We’re very happy with his performance and although he wasn’t well and wasn’t feeling in the best shape having woken up with gastro symptoms, he was so excited to play and he managed to push through.
“He may not have felt great, but he certainly played well enough on his debut and we’re very proud of him and he can be justifiably proud of himself.”
URC
Our Boks are Back

Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has the pleasure of a full squad to select from and has chosen a Springbok-heavy side to take on Scarlets this Saturday at the Parc Y Scarlets in Wales.
After an enforced break due to this year’s Rugby World Cup, the Springboks have been unleashed on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship once more as they look to maintain a hold on a place in the knock-out rounds.
Scarlets have not quite enjoyed the success this season they would have hoped for and languish near the bottom of the log, in 14th position. Last year’s fixture, at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, ended in a 37-20 victory for the Cell C Sharks, a bonus point win with many of the same players who will do duty in this season’s clash, almost exactly a year later.
However, we know that no team can be written off and the Springboks in the Cell C Sharks side will be bringing their own level of intensity, leadership, character and standards that will drive their team-mates to deliver a special performance.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi leads the team out and his all-Bok front row of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Thomas du Toit will be called upon to deliver results upfront. Throw in Eben Etzebeth and you know this is a pack that will back down for nothing.
An athletic and mobile back row will provide impetus on attack while Springbok halfbacks Jaden Hendrikse and Curwin Bosch will be called on to direct traffic. Then there’s the powerful duo of Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lukhanyo Am to keep everything in the midfield under control, while the likes of Makazole Mapimpi and co, will be called upon to deliver the killer blow.
Cell C Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Werner Kok
15. Boeta Chamberlain
Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuurren
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Carlu Sadie
19. Gerbrandt Grobler
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Grant Williams
22. Ben Tapuai
23. Thaakir Abrahams
URC
Ulster ready for arrival of Bulls in Belfast

Ulster ready for arrival of Bulls in Belfast
6 minutes ago
Match Previews
Ulster go into Round 16 of the BKT United Rugby Championship against Vodacom Bulls hoping to make it three wins in succession, as they hunt down a top two finish in the league.
Dan McFarland’s men have fared well against South African opposition this season, becoming the only northern hemisphere team to win both away games against the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as dominating DHL Stormers at Kingspan Stadium back in January.
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s big game at ulster.rugby/buytickets.
The win against Stormers was the last time the Ulster men ran out at Kingspan Stadium as the province faced a three match away block after the international break.
The stakes are high as Ulster currently sit third in the URC table on 54 points, knowing a win could see them draw level with DHL Stormers, currently in second on 59 points. A win would only increase Ulster’s hopes of securing a home advantage in the URC Play-Offs.
Meanwhile, the Bulls, who sit in sixth position, will hope to turn their form around after a tough spell of results, and with returning Springboks in their squad they will be looking to cause an upset in Belfast.
Ulster Forwards Coach Roddy Grant told reporters at the media briefing earlier this week that the province will be looking to continue their positive form:
“We feel refreshed, we’ve had a good week of training and everybody is raring to go this Saturday in front of a home crowd. Bulls are a good side, full of big physical guys, and our focus is fully on them.”
Vermeulen to captain Ulster against old side
Springbok Duane Vermeulen skippers the Ulster men against a side he knows all too well, having captained the Bulls when he played for them from 2019- 2021.
Leading the front row against the South African opposition, Ballymena man Andy Warwick starts at loosehead prop and is joined by Tom Stewart at hooker, who is back with the province after being part of Ireland’s Grand Slam winning training squad. They will be packing down with Jeff Toomaga-Allen at loosehead prop.
Kieran Treadwell, who featured for Ireland in the Grand Slam win against England, is back starting in the second row alongside experienced Wallaby lock, Sam Carter.
David McCann and Nick Timoney join Vermeulen in the back row, with both flankers hoping to continue their positive form from the last match against Cardiff.
Nathan Doak keeps the 9 shirt after a Player of the Match performance against Cardiff where he scored a try and slotted six out of six conversions. Billy Burns joins him at fly-half, hoping to build on a good try-scoring performance against Cardiff.
The midfield is kept the same as last time out, as young pair Stewart Moore and James Hume keep their places in Ulster’s centre positions.
The back three sees a welcome return for explosive winger Rob Baloucoune who hasn’t featured for Ulster since early January. He is joined by Jacob Stockdale and full back Mike Lowry.
McFarland has opted for a six-two split on the bench with John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan and Marcus Rea named as forward options, and John Cooney and Jude Postlethwaite covering the backline.
Ulster team to face Vodacom Bulls, Round 16 BKT United Rugby Championship, Saturday 25 March at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on BBC NI, RTÉ, Viaplay and URC.tv
(15-9) Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen (Captain).
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Jude Postlethwaite.
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
URC
Match Preview: Connacht

Match Officials
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 89th competition game) Assistant: Chris Busby, Paul Haycock (both IRFU)
TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU)
Recent meetings
Date | Venue | C | E | Connacht scorers | Edinburgh scorers |
Fri 23 Mar 18 | Sportsground | 22 | 29 | Tiernan O’Halloran(T) Tom Farrell(T) Jack Carty(2C/P) Finlay Bealham(T) | Duncan Weir(T/C/3P) Duhan van der Merwe(T) Jaco van der Walt(P) Dougie Fife(T) |
Fri 14 Sep 18 | BT Murrayfield | 10 | 17 | Jack Carty(C/P) Niyi Adeolokun(T) | Pierre Schoeman(T) Duhan van der Merwe(T) Jaco van der Walt(2C/P) |
Fri 21 Feb 20 | BT Murrayfield | 14 | 41 | Tiernan O’Halloran(2T) Jack Carty(2C) | Pierre Schoeman(T) Duhan van der Merwe(T) Simon Berghan(T) Simon Hickey(3C/2P) Penalty Try(2T) |
Sun 25 Oct 20 | BT Murrayfield | 37 | 26 | Tom Daly(3C/P) Caolin Blade(T) Sammy Arnold(T) Shane Delahunt(T) Conor Fitzgerald(P) Alex Wootton(2T) | Mike Willemse(2T) Jaco van der Walt(3C) Nic Groom(T) Andrew Davidson(T) |
Sat 13 Mar 21 | Sportsground | 14 | 15 | Jack Carty(2C) Shane Delahunt(T) Sean O’Brien(T) | Nathan Chamberlain(T/C/P) Magnus Bradbury(T) |
Fri 4 Mar 22 | DAM Health Stadium | 8 | 56 | Peter Sullivan(T) Jack Carty(P) | Glen Young(T) Ramiro Moyano Joya(T) Dave Cherry(T) Ben Vellacott(T) Emiliano Boffelli(T/8C) Blair Kinghorn(T) Henry Immelman(2T) |
Overall record
Played 35, Connacht won 14, Edinburgh won 19 with 2 matches drawn.
Did you know?
- Connacht Rugby have won their last four BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures since their defeat to Leinster in Dublin on New Year’s Day.
- The Irishmen have not won five in succession in the Championship since they were Champions in 2015/16.
- Connacht have lost their last three matches against Scottish opponents.
- Edinburgh Rugby’s only victory in their last eight BKT United Rugby Championship encounters was 24-17 at home to Zebre Parma in Round 12.
- The Scotsmen have won just twice away from home in the Championship this campaign, both in October, beating Zebre in Parma and Cardiff at the Arms Park.
- Edinburgh have beaten an Irish province just three times since November 2019 and all were against today’s opponents, Connacht.
- Connacht have won only one of their last seven clashes with Edinburgh: 37-26 at BT Murrayfield in October 2020.
- Edinburgh have won on their last two visits to Galway.
URC Form
COMPARISON | Connacht | Edinburgh |
Last 3 URC results: | 28 Jan – Lions (H) W 43-24 | 28 Jan – Sharks (H) L 19-22 |
18 Feb – Zebre (A) W 57-34 | 18 Feb – Scarlets (A) L 14-42 | |
4 Mar – Dragons (A) W 22-20 | 4 Mar – Leinster (H) L 27-47 | |
URC 2022/23 | 8th – W8 D0 L7 – 39pts | 12th – W5 D0 L10 – 32pts |
URC form | LlWWww (20pts) | lLWLlL (9pts) |
Top try scorer | 8 – Caolin Blade | 9 – Darcy Graham |
Top points scorer | 69 – Jack Carty | 60 – Emiliano Boffelli |
-
Premiership1 week ago
Gloucester Rugby sign Cardiff star
-
Premiership5 days ago
Springbok World Cup winner to join Bath Rugby
-
Premiership6 days ago
Skosan to leave Saints at the end of the season
-
International6 days ago
Scott Robertson appointed All Blacks Head Coach from 2024
-
URC7 days ago
Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Glasgow At Thomond
-
Premiership3 days ago
Gloucester Rugby issue injury update
-
Premiership4 days ago
Waller decides makes decision on Northampton Saints future
-
Premiership4 days ago
Internationals return for Falcons trip