The Bulls, Stormers, and Sharks got their Champions Cup and Challenge Cup campaigns off to encouraging starts over the weekend as European competitions came briefly into the spotlight during a break in the URC.
Of course, it was a round of action that was heavily overshadowed by the tragic passing of Lions lock Hyron Andrews in an emotional weekend all around.
The Lions, who opted to play their Champions Cup match against Stade Rochelais in Andrews’ honour despite Friday’s tragic news of their teammate’s untimely death, were always going to be up against it with their emotions in tatters, and went down 31-14 in their clash against the former champions in France.
Elsewhere, there was also disappointment for the Cheetahs, who fought hard but still fell 29-27 short against Aviron Bayonnais on Sunday.
URC action returns this weekend, with two South African teams in action on Friday as the Sharks and Lions play away against Cardiff and Edinburgh respectively.
On Saturday, the Bulls host Munster, and the Stormers play the Scarlets in Cape Town, as both of these teams look to maintain a strong start to the season.
URC FIXTURES AND KICK OFF TIMES TO TAKE NOTE OF
Friday, 23 October 2026
- Cardiff vs Sharks – 20:45
- Connacht vs Zebre Parma – 20:45
- Edinburgh vs Lions – 20:45
Saturday, 24 October 2026
- Bulls vs Ulster Rugby – 13:45
- Stormers vs Scarlets – 16:00
- Benetton vs Glasgow Warriors – 16:00
- Leinster vs Munster – 19:00
- Ospreys vs Dragons RFC – 20:00
HOW THE LATEST URC LOG LOOKS
| # | Team | PTS | PL | W | D | L | BP | PTS DIFFERENTIAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edinburgh | 14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 26 |
| 2 | Glasgow | 13 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| 3 | Bulls | 11 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 72 |
| 4 | Stormers | 11 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 27 |
| 5 | Sharks | 10 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | Cardiff | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -5 |
| 7 | Lions | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -25 |
| 8 | Dragons | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 9 | Munster | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| 10 | Leinster | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 17 |
| 11 | Ulster | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -5 |
| 12 | Scarlets | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -17 |
| 13 | Ospreys | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -26 |
| 14 | Connacht | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -28 |
| 15 | Benetton | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -4 |
| 16 | Zebre | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -64 |