Vodacom URC quarter-finals details confirmed

Kick-off times, dates and broadcast details for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-finals – featuring three teams from South Africa – have been confirmed, with the four games taking place on for Friday 5 Saturday 6 May.

The 2023 Vodacom URC play-offs will kick off in Belfast where Ulster (2) will host an Irish derby against Connacht (7) at Kingspan Stadium on Friday, 5 May at 20h35 (SA time).

The Saturday slate will begin in Cape Town where defending champions, DHL Stormers (3), will take on the Vodacom Bulls (6), in a rematch of last season’s Vodacom URC Grand Final. The game at DHL Stadium is scheduled to get underway at 15h30.

No 1 ranked Leinster will host the Cell C Sharks (8) at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at 18h00 (SA time) in what will be the Durbanites’ second trip to the Irish capital this season having taken part in a thrilling 88-point encounter back in October.

The quarter-finals close out at 20h35 (SA time) in Scotland where Glasgow Warriors (4) make their return to the play-offs for the first time since 2019. Their opponents at Scotstoun Stadium will be Munster (5), who are searching for their first league title since 2011.

All games will be broadcast live in home markets on SuperSport (South Africa), ViaPlay (UK), Premier Sports, URC.tv (both Rep of Ireland) while RTÉ and TG4 will split coverage in Rep of Ireland.

Vodacom URC quarter-finals:

Friday 5 May:

Quarter-Final 2: Ulster (2) v Connacht (7)
Venue: Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
SA Time: 20h35

Saturday, 6 May:

Quarter-Final 3: DHL Stormers (3) v Vodacom Bulls (6)
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
SA Time: 15h30 SA

Quarter-Final 1: Leinster (1) v Cell C Sharks (8)
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
SA Ttime: 18h00

Quarter-Final 4: Glasgow Warriors (4) v Munster (5)
Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
SA Time: 20h35

Semi-Final path

In the semi-finals, to be played the weekend of May 12/13, the winner of QF1 will play the winner of QF4 and the winner of QF2 will play the winner of QF3.

In a change to last season’s rules, the teams with the highest seeding in each semi-final will have home venue rights. Previously, the winners of QF1 and QF2 were guaranteed home draws no matter their ranking.

SF1: Leinster (1) / Cell C Sharks (8) v Glasgow Warriors (4) / Munster (5)

SF2: Ulster (2) / Connacht (7) v DHL Stormers (3) / Vodacom Bulls (6)

The semi-final winners will meet on Saturday, May 27 at the venue of the highest-ranked team to have qualified for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final.

Vodacom United Rugby Championship DHL Stormers Vodacom Bulls Cell C Sharks

Log positions key as Vodacom URC returns to action...

Securing the best possible positions on the log will be the main driving force when the Vodacom United Rugby Championshi...

New French threat to Leinster’s European ambitions...

Leinster’s imperious performance in their quarter-final ensured that this year it won’t be Stade Rochelais pipping them ...

Sharks book historic EPCR semi-final spot...

The Hollywoodbets Sharks succeeded in their quest to become the first South African team to advance to the semi-final of...

Tries aplenty in thrilling 2024 opening round...

The defending champions and runners-up in the Women’s Premier Division, the Bulls Daisies and DHL Western Province, scor...

Home teams dominate in SA Cup fourth round...

The Airlink Pumas, Suzuki Griquas, Toyota Cheetahs and Leopards again made it a profitable weekend for home teams in the...

Quarter-finals confirmed as league phase concludes

The DHL Stormers will host the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town and the Cell C Sharks will travel to Dublin to face Leinster in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs in two weekends’ time following the confirmation of the eight quarter-finalists as the league phase of the competition came to a close on Saturday.

Dazel: Character and defence foundations to victory

Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Renfred Dazel praised the defensive resilience and character of his team as two of the main factors that helped them to win the first of two World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

Brilliant Bulls bury Leinster at Loftus

The Vodacom Bulls laid down a big marker in the build-up to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs with an impressive 62-7 victory (half-time 31-0) over Leinster at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

Cell C Sharks draw against Munster in Durban

The Cell C Sharks and Munster played to a dramatic 22-22 draw in a thrilling closing Vodacom United Rugby Championship pool match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on Saturday night.

Impressive Lions finish campaign with a flourish

Sanele Nohamba scored 20 points as the Emirates Lions beat Italian side Zebre Parma 50-35 (31-22 half-time) in Pretoria on Saturday to end their Vodacom United Rugby Championship season on a high.

Resolute Bok Women ready for Challenger Series second leg

The official log after the first of two World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments makes for good reading for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team and their supporters, with the South African side topping the women’s standings.

Tough road faces favourites Leinster

Irish powerhouse Leinster may be leading the charge for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship title this season, but their road into both the European and URC finals is beset with pitfalls and tougher than most sides would ever want it to be for the remainder of the season.

Springbok coaches renew contracts for four years

SA Rugby announced on Wednesday that three current Springbok assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids and Daan Human, as well as Head of Athletic Performance, Andy Edwards, had signed contract extensions for another four years, which will see them remain with the team until the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Bok Women’s 7s determined to complete mission

The focus and mission statement remain the same for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team as they wrapped up their preparations for the second of two World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments in Stellenbosch this weekend.

The 2023 Currie Cup Bulletin #15

The defending Currie Cup Premier Division champions, the Airlink Pumas, are leading the race as the competition enters the second half of the league phase this weekend, while the First Division and Mzansi Challenge continues with matches in Port Alfred, Bredasdorp, Strand and George.