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2025/2026 United Rugby Championship
PRO Rugby Championship DAC
Regular Season
Round 14
Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales
27-28 March 2026
Positions On The Standings
After Round 13, the Stormers sit second on the log with 46 points and remain the strongest South African side, firmly in contention for a home quarter-final.
The Lions are seventh on 38 points and inside the playoff zone, while the Bulls occupy eighth place on 35 points, right on the cutoff line.
The Sharks sit 11th on 29 points and need a strong run of results to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Home Ground Advantage
This weekend offers a huge opportunity for SA rugby. With all four franchises hosting teams from the northern hemisphere shortly after the Six Nations, a clean sweep looks very achievable.
A clean sweep would deliver a major boost heading into the business end of the season.
Sharks v Cardiff Rugby
In their matchday 13 games, Sharks delivered a dominant performance by thrashing Munster 45-0 at home in Durban on 21 March, while Cardiff Rugby suffered a heavy defeat, losing 40-7 away to the Bulls on 20 March.
The Sharks have shown moments of real quality but have been inconsistent. Cardiff sit comfortably in the top half and possess a dangerous backline,
So the Sharks will need to rely on their powerful forward pack and passionate Kings Park Stadium crowd to secure a vital win that keeps them in the playoff conversation.
In four URC meetings, Cardiff won the first three, but the Sharks secured their first win with a 42-22 win in January 2025.
Bulls v Munster
This match comes just days after the Bulls thrashed Cardiff 40-7 at home on 20 March in Round 13, while Munster suffered a heavy 45-0 defeat away to the Sharks on 21 March.
The Bulls host Munster in what promises to be the standout clash. Munster are a physical, experienced Irish outfit, but the Bulls are extremely difficult to beat at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
If they dominate the breakdown and set-piece, the Bulls should edge this one and move deeper into the top eight, though Munster will fight hard for every point.
In four URC meetings, the Bulls and Munster are level at two wins each, with the Bulls securing the most recent victory, a 16-13 away win in April 2025.
Lions v Dragons
The Lions are oozing with confidence after thrashing Edinburgh 54-17 at home on 21 March, while the Dragons were heavily defeated 40-7 away to the Bulls on 20 March.
The Lions have played some of the most entertaining rugby among the SA teams, and the Dragons are low on confidence near the bottom of the table.
This looks like an ideal chance for the Lions to collect a big score, plenty of tries, and a bonus point at Ellis Park Stadium to strengthen their playoff position.
In two URC meetings, the Lions have won both matches against the Dragons, including a 23-19 win in Wales in October 2024.
Stormers v Edinburgh
In-form Stormers beat the 29-21 at home on 22 March, while Edinburgh were heavily defeated 54-17 away to the Lions on 21 March.
The Stormers have been excellent at home this season, and Edinburgh have struggled on the road.
The Cape Town Stadium should once again prove a fortress, with the Stormers targeting a commanding victory and maximum points to keep pressure on Glasgow at the top of the standings.
In four URC meetings, the Stormers lead Edinburgh 3-1, but the latter claimed the most recent victory, 38-7 away in October 2024.
Quotes
“We’ve moved up the log after this victory, but we’re still way off the top eight," Sharks head coach JP Pietersen said after his side's win over Munster on 21 March.
“But if you look at this performance, we don’t look like a team in the bottom half, so while we’ll celebrate this victory, there will be a hard review before a quick turnaround, with Cardiff on Friday night.”
United Rugby Championship matchday 14 fixtures
Friday, 27 March
19:00 - Sharks vs Cardiff
21:45 - Glasgow Warriors vs Benetton
21:45 - Leinster vs Scarlets
Saturday, 28 March
14:00 - Bulls vs Munster
16:15 - Connacht vs Ospreys
16:30 - Lions vs Dragons
19:00 - Stormers vs Edinburgh
21:45 - Zebre Parma vs Ulster
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