What a night in Durban. History-making in how the result was decided. For the record it is Leinster, the Bulls, in Pretoria, the Sharks and Glasgow, who advance to the semi-finals of the Vodacom URC. They were also the top four league teams after 18 rounds.
Durban was something else. Munster led 21-10 going into the last quarter. Then the Sharks led 24-21 with a few minutes to go. Then it was 24-all at full-time and 24-all after 20 minutes of extra time. Then to the farcical penalty kick-outs.
For a sport that seems intent to rid itself of penalty kicks and only put value in five point tries, the irony can’t be lost on anyone that what separated the Sharks and Munster in Durban was a soccer-type stage penalty shoot-out.
I am all for the Golden Point at the end of full time in a play-off.
Outside of that, the team higher on the league table, over 18 rounds in this instance, advances.
That is how I feel it should have been decided in Durban.
To turn the play-off into a soccer penalty kick shoot out is not rugby.
The right team won 6-5 on penalties, and when I say the right team I am referring to third place on the league table against six over 18 rounds.
This is no disrespect to the occasion and Munster’s effort in a 24-all draw. I had Muster to win, pre-game.
The Bulls were a mixture of brilliant and bad in seeing off Edinburgh 42-33 in Pretoria.
Leinster were the equal of that in beating the Scarlets 33-21 in Dublin and Glasgow were the most emphatic winners in beating the Stormers 36-18 in Glasgow.
Leinster now host Glasgow and the Bulls host the Sharks in an all-South African derby and semi-final.
This is how the official URC site called the matches:
Hollywoodbets Sharks make their first-ever appearance in a Semi-Final, while remarkably, eight-time league winners Leinster are still chasing their first Grand Final appearance in the Vodacom URC era.
The first three seasons of Vodacom URC Play-Offs have produced several away wins — including at the Semi-Final stage — and these evenly poised match-ups could yet see joy for the travelling teams.
2025 Vodacom URC SEMI-FINALS
Saturday, June 7
SF1: Leinster (1) v Glasgow Warriors (4)
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 14:45 UK & IRE / 15:45 SAST
Live on RTÉ, Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv, FloRugby
SF2: Vodacom Bulls (2) v Hollywoodbets Sharks (3)
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17:15 UK & IRE / 18:15 SAST
Live on SuperSport, Premier Sports, TG4, URC.tv, FloRugby
The games will be live in the UK and Ireland on Premier Sports, TG4, and RTÉ, with SuperSport broadcasting all the action in South Africa. FloRugby will carry the games in the United States, while URC.tv will stream matches in selected international territories, including the Republic of Ireland.
A full ‘where to watch’ list is available here
Vodacom URC GRAND FINAL VENUES
Venues confirmed for the Grand Final (based on highest-ranked team)
Croke Park, Dublin – Leinster (1)
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Vodacom Bulls (2)
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – Hollywoodbets Sharks (3)
As the No. 4-ranked team, Glasgow Warriors cannot host the Grand Final.
For all the match reports, go to SA Rugby Mag
Src: keo.co.za
