2025/26 URC Quarter-Final Fixtures - Three South African sides in the final 8 of URC

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 26 May 2026

Ralph Staniforth 26 May 2026

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Three South African teams reach the URC quarter-finals.
The Lions debut; Bulls and Stormers bring playoff experience.
Home advantage could be key for Bulls and Stormers.

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Stormers among three South African sides in URC quarter-finals this weekend (Getty Images)

This coming weekend, 29/30 May 2026 sees the quarter-final fixtures of the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship take place. Three South African sides have made the final eight.

This will be the first-ever URC quarter-final for the Lions while the Bulls and Stormers have regularly been in the playoffs - in fact, the Stormers made the final in their first two seasons, winning once while the Bulls have been in the final in three of their four seasons in the URC, but they have lost on each occasion.

Below is a look at the fixtures for this weekend.

Friday, 29 May 2026

Glasgow vs Connacht

This is the only quarter-final without a South African side. Glasgow, unbeaten at home in the URC this season, are huge favourites against a Connacht side who just squeezed into the playoffs on the final day. While Connacht are generally very competitive at home, their away form will be a major concern.

Saturday, 30 May 2026

Bulls vs Munster

The Bulls at one point looked like they may struggle to make the playoffs as the early season form left many questioning the appointment of Johan Ackermann. However, as the season has progressed, the Bulls have become increasingly more dominant, particularly at home. They beat Munster 34-31 at Loftus just a few weeks ago, so can the Irish side take them to the limit again?

Saturday, 30 May 2026

Stormers vs Cardiff

This is a repeat fixture of last weekend in the final round of the URC. The Stormers lost that game 24-16 in Cardiff which cost them a second-place finish, however, for this playoff, the game is in Cape Town. That makes a huge difference when you consider how much better the Stormers are at home and how less competitive Cardiff are away from home. The Stormers will feel comfortable with this fixture, although they need to be weary of the Welsh outfit.

Saturday, 30 May 2026

Leinster vs Lions

Perhaps seen as the most one-sided quarter-final of the lot but still much can happen. Just a few weeks ago Leinster beat the Lions by 24 points at home, and the Johannesburg-based outfit has hardly knocked the lights out away from home this season. However, Leinster did lose the European Champions Cup yet again last weekend, so who knows what affect that will have on morale. The Lions will want a fast start to see how read this Leinster side are to give one more big fight.

Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.

He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf.

He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.