Three out of the four South African franchises successfully qualified for the URC quarter-finals, and in fact there is a feeling that the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers could all go even further in the competition.

The Stormers, who finished in fifth position on the table, will be the first South African side in action as they face off against the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland on Friday 30 May (20:35 kick-off, SA time). 

The Bulls – who ended in second place and ahead of all their South African competitors – will then host Edinburgh in their quarter-final on Saturday, 31 May (13:30 kick off, SA time).

Meanwhile the South African shield winners, the Sharks, will take on Munster at Kings Park on 31 May (18:30 kick off, SA time).

The Bulls, Sharks and Stormers will fly the SA flag in the URC knockout stage

The other quarter-final will see log-leaders, Leinster, take on the Scarlets in Dublin on Saturday 31 May.

URC Playoff Format

Quarter-Finals – Friday and Saturday, May 30 & 31

  • QF1: Leinster (1) v Scarlets (8)
  • QF2: Bulls (2) v Edinburgh (7)
  • QF3: Sharks (3) v Munster (6)
  • QF4: Glasgow Warriors (4) v Stormers (5)

Semi-Finals – Saturday, June 7

  • SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4
  • SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3

Grand Final – Saturday, June 14

  • Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

While the four home quarter-finalists are best placed to reach the decider, history may yet deliver a twist — no team ranked No 1 has ever lifted the URC trophy. In past seasons, it was fourth-placed Glasgow (2024), fifth-placed Munster (2023), and second-placed Stormers (2022) who emerged as champions.

*Stormers (5), Munster (6) and Edinburgh (7) could all host if they are the highest-ranked team in the Grand Final.

WHICH TEAM DO YOU THINK WILL TAKE HOME SILVERWARE THIS SEASON?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/sharks/urc-kick-off-times-for-bulls-sharks-and-stormers/