The Stormers and Vodacom Bulls are yet to taste defeat after the opening two rounds of the 2025-26 URC, while the Sharks got their first points on the road and the Lions fought bravely in a losing cause.
In Cape Town, the STORMERS showed that the 35-0 drubbing of defending champions Leinster was no fluke as they backed it up with a 26-10 victory over a skilful Ospreys side. Going into the match, the Cape side hadn’t beaten the Welsh outfit in three seasons.
ALSO: Stormers suffer big blow ahead of tour
Although the Stormers’ attack was not as flashy as in round one, their pack dominated at scrum time while individual brilliance from the likes of Wandisile Simelane and Evan Roos caught the eye.
The Stormers now have nine log points and strong momentum heading into their European tour.
The SHARKS, meanwhile, are still looking for lift-off. A 17-17 draw with the Dragons in Newport offered their first log points of the campaign, but not much more. It was another frustrating night of missed chances and poor discipline, even if the conditions were nightmarish.
READ: Plum frustrated after Sharks draw
Jean Smith’s calm at flyhalf and Vincent Tshituka’s leadership were rare positives, but John Plumtree’s men must show serious improvement before this week’s daunting trip to Dublin to face Leinster.
At Loftus, Johan Ackermann’s BULLS came out flying – two bonus-point wins from two matches – but were made to work hard by Leinster who found their gears again. The victory showed off the Bulls’ depth, dynamism and a touch of Bok class from Willie le Roux, who rolled back the years with a try and a slick assist.
MORE: Bulls hooker hungry to reclaim Bok jersey
David Kriel’s brace underlined the attacking threat in blue, while the Bulls’ pack once again imposed itself in the collisions.
Ackermann’s men now head to Belfast to face Ulster with momentum, confidence and a top-of-the-table mindset.
The LIONS’ trip to Italy was heartbreak in slow motion. After a sluggish start, they fought back to lead late in Parma, only to concede at the death and lose 22-20 to Zebre – a team they would’ve expected to beat.
Ivan van Rooyen’s side showed spirit, but with two tour defeats on the trot, pressure is mounting to turn fight into finishing power before their next clash with Benetton.
Round 2 results:
Edinburgh vs Ulster – postponed
Stormers 26 Ospreys 10
Dragons 17 Sharks 17
Bulls 39 Leinster 31
Benetton 16 Glasgow 14
Connacht vs Scarlets – postponed
Munster 23 Cardiff 20
Zebre 22 Lions 20
KEO: Stormers show grit, Sharks stuck in rut
Round 3 fixtures:
Friday, 10 October
Munster vs Edinburgh, 8:45pm
Scarlets vs Stormers, 8:45pm
Saturday, 11 October
Benetton vs Lions, 4pm
Ospreys vs Zebre, 4pm
Glasgow vs Dragons, 6:30pm
Leinster vs Sharks, 6:30pm
Cardiff vs Connacht, 8:45pm
Ulster vs Bulls, 8:45pm

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