As the United Rugby Championship (URC) enters its playoff phase, it’s a great time to reflect on how each South African team performed during the regular season. With three of our franchises making it into the top 8, there’s a lot to be proud of. Let’s dive in and rate each team out of 10 based on their performances this season.
Lions – 2/10
The Lions will be extremely disappointed with how their season unfolded. They started strong and showed promise, but their campaign gradually fell apart. Just last season, they narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing 9th. This year, they slipped even further, ending in 11th place. It’s a harsh reality for a side that had flashes of potential but ultimately couldn’t maintain their form or consistency. Big questions now loom over squad depth and coaching direction going into next season.
Stormers – 6.5/10
The Stormers’ season was a mixed bag. At one point, it looked like they might miss out on the top 8 altogether, especially after a tough home loss to the Bulls in Cape Town. But credit where it’s due—they regrouped and managed to clinch a playoff spot. The road ahead, however, is anything but easy. They’ll travel to Glasgow to face last season’s champions, and should they win, they could be off to Dublin to face Leinster. If they survive that, a return to South Africa to potentially face the Bulls or Sharks awaits. Making it past the quarterfinals would already be a commendable achievement given the path ahead.
Sharks – 8/10
What a turnaround from last season! The Sharks bounced back brilliantly to finish 3rd—their highest-ever placement in the URC. They started well and ended even stronger, showing a level of consistency and maturity that had been missing previously. Although they missed out on a second-place finish due to a few missed opportunities, there’s plenty to be optimistic about. With home advantage in the quarterfinals (and potentially the semifinals), the Sharks are well-placed for a deep playoff run. Their path isn’t easy—especially if they meet the Bulls—but this is a team playing with renewed confidence and identity.
Bulls – 9.5/10
The Bulls had a phenomenal regular season, finishing 2nd on the table and establishing themselves as one of the most dangerous sides in the competition. They traveled well—losing just once overseas, and even that by a single point to the Scarlets. Still, they’ll rue two key slip-ups: a home loss to the Stormers and a defeat to the Sharks that ultimately cost them top spot. That said, they closed the season in emphatic fashion, with massive away wins against Glasgow and Munster, proving their ability to handle pressure and win on the road. Their only shortfall? Missing out on 1st place—otherwise, they’d have earned a perfect 10.
Final Thoughts
Having three South African teams in the URC playoffs is a marked improvement from last season, when only two made it in. It’s a testament to the depth and resilience of South African rugby. The Bulls and Sharks look like genuine title contenders, while the Stormers have shown they can fight through adversity. Whether any of them can go all the way remains to be seen, but for fans, there’s no shortage of reasons to be excited—and proud.
The Bulls is on fire this season and got a chance to be crowded as URC champion 🏆.
Here’s hoping!