The 2024-25 Vodacom URC will kick off for South African teams next week, with fans getting their first look at the ever-improving Sharks and Lions in the Currie Cup final, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The Sharks XV won 16-14 at Ellis Park to lift the trophy in rugby’s oldest competition for the first time since 2018, with a 59m penalty goal by Jordan Hendrikse after the hooter sealing the deal for the Durban outfit.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane highlights the start to what promises to be a thrilling fourth season in the URC, with Leinster’s 33-31 victory over Edinburgh in Scotland on Friday.
The Vodacom Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and DHL Stormers delayed their opening matches due to the Currie Cup final, but all eyes are on their overseas challenges next weekend.
Going into round 2 of the URC, the Lions are first up next Saturday when Ivan van Rooyen’s charges tackle Ulster in Johannesburg. The Bulls then host Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld, before the Sharks cross swords with Connacht in Galway, and the Stormers bring the curtain down against Welsh outfit the Ospreys.
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“South Africa’s quartet of the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, postponed their opening local fixtures to accommodate the Currie Cup final, and ironically the Lions and Sharks would have met in the opening round of the URC. Instead, their feeder teams took centre stage in the Currie Cup final at Ellis Park,” Keohane writes.
“Next weekend the South Africans begin their challenge overseas, as is the norm in the league, and the biggest talk out of South Africa is the improvement of the Lions and Sharks.”
Keohane notes South Africa’s dominance in hosting the last three URC finals, although Irish giants Leinster have yet to reach a final despite fielding numerous Ireland internationals. Their recent win signals their potential to break that trend this season.
“Leinster, in every one of the past three seasons, have stumbled in the semi-finals, with the Bulls winning in Dublin in year one, Munster winning in Dublin in year two and the Bulls winning in Pretoria last season. They are surely too good not to be contesting this season’s final,” he writes.
Turning to Test rugby, the All Blacks secured a 31-28 win in the Bledisloe Cup opener on Saturday, but Keohane sees both teams facing difficulties against the European nations in November, casting doubt on their 2027 Rugby World Cup prospects.
“The All Blacks, bewildered and panicked in the final five minutes, won the first of two Bledisloe Tests to retain the Cup for a 22nd successive year. Do the math, this is no longer a rivalry but an insult to a rivalry, regardless of how New Zealand’s victories are fashioned,” he writes.
Photo: @TheCurrieCup/Twitter
