SA Casino Rank earns a commission from some of the sites we link to. This never affects our reviews. How we earn money. 18+ only.
Here are the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) fixtures for South Africa’s four franchises, the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions, plus a live list of matches open for betting with kick-off times in South African time. Last updated: 4 October 2026.
Stormers · Bulls · Sharks · Lions
URC Fixtures 2026/27
Dates, venues and kick-off times in SAST
18+ only · Terms apply · Responsible gambling helpline 0800 006 008
On this page
Upcoming URC matches for South African teams
Next up: Round 3 on Saturday 10 October 2026 is a double SA derby day. The Bulls host the Lions at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (kick-off TBC), and the Stormers host the Sharks at the DHL Stadium, Cape Town (kick-off 16:00 SAST).
URC 2026/27 fixtures for SA teams: rounds 3 to 7
| Round | Date and kick-off (SAST) | Match | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Sat 10 Oct | Bulls v Lions (SA derby) | Pretoria |
| 3 | Sat 10 Oct, 16:00 | Stormers v Sharks (SA derby) | Cape Town |
| 4 | Fri 23 Oct, 20:45 | Cardiff v Sharks | Wales |
| 4 | Sat 24 Oct | Bulls v Ulster | Pretoria |
| 4 | Sat 24 Oct | Stormers v Scarlets | Cape Town |
| 5 | Fri 30 Oct | Glasgow Warriors v Lions | Scotland |
| 5 | Sat 31 Oct | Stormers v Ulster | Cape Town |
| 5 | Sat 31 Oct | Bulls v Scarlets | Pretoria |
| 5 | Sat 31 Oct, 19:30 | Munster v Sharks | Ireland |
| 6 | Sat 5 Dec | Lions v Bulls (SA derby) | Johannesburg |
| 6 | Sat 5 Dec, 17:00 | Sharks v Stormers (SA derby) | Durban |
| 7 | Sat 19 Dec | Stormers v Lions (SA derby) | Cape Town |
| 7 | Sat 19 Dec, 18:30 | Sharks v Bulls (SA derby) | Durban |
The 2026/27 season kicked off on 25 September 2026. After round 5 the league pauses for the November internationals and resumes on 4 and 5 December with two South African derbies. Kick-off times are confirmed closer to each round, and appear in the live list below once bookmakers open betting.
Recent results
| Round | Date | Result | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fri 25 Sep | Connacht 15–29 Stormers | Galway |
| 1 | Sat 26 Sep | Lions 27–26 Leinster | Johannesburg |
| 1 | Sat 26 Sep | Sharks 41–24 Ospreys | Durban |
| 1 | Sat 26 Sep | Zebre 13–47 Bulls | Parma |
| 2 | Fri 2 Oct | Edinburgh 17–13 Stormers | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Sat 3 Oct | Lions 35–19 Ospreys | Johannesburg |
| 2 | Sat 3 Oct | Sharks 26–20 Leinster | Durban |
| 2 | Sat 3 Oct | Munster 26–22 Bulls | Limerick |
All four South African teams won their opening matches, a clean sweep for the SA sides in round 1. Round 2 was mixed: the Lions and Sharks won at home, with the Sharks beating defending champions Leinster, while the Stormers and Bulls lost narrow games away in Edinburgh and Limerick.
Matches open for betting now
This list updates automatically from Play.co.za’s fixtures and shows URC matches involving the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions, in South African time.
| Date (SAST) | Match | Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 10 Oct 13:30 | Bulls vs Lions | Bet on Play.co.za |
| Sat 10 Oct 16:00 | DHL Stormers vs The Sharks | Bet on Play.co.za |
Fixtures from Play.co.za, updated 8 Oct, 20:57 SAST. Kick-off times can change. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
All upcoming URC matches
| Date (SAST) | Match | Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 9 Oct 20:45 | Newport Gwent Dragons vs Ospreys | Bet on Play.co.za |
| Fri 9 Oct 20:45 | Glasgow Warriors vs Connacht Rugby | Bet on Play.co.za |
| Sat 10 Oct 13:30 | Bulls vs Lions | Bet on Play.co.za |
| Sat 10 Oct 16:00 | Zebre vs Edinburgh Rugby | Bet on Play.co.za |
| Sat 10 Oct 16:00 | DHL Stormers vs The Sharks | Bet on Play.co.za |
| Sat 10 Oct 18:30 | Ulster Rugby vs Munster Rugby | Bet on Play.co.za |
| Sat 10 Oct 18:30 | Scarlets vs Benetton Rugby Treviso | Bet on Play.co.za |
| Sat 10 Oct 20:45 | Leinster Rugby vs Cardiff Rugby | Bet on Play.co.za |
Fixtures from Play.co.za, updated 8 Oct, 20:57 SAST. Kick-off times can change. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
SA derbies to watch
Derbies between South African teams are often the most closely fought URC matches, because the sides know each other well and travel isn’t a factor. The first half of the 2026/27 season has six:
- Bulls v Lions, Saturday 10 October, Pretoria
- Stormers v Sharks, Saturday 10 October, Cape Town
- Lions v Bulls, Saturday 5 December, Johannesburg
- Sharks v Stormers, Saturday 5 December, Durban
- Stormers v Lions, Saturday 19 December, Cape Town
- Sharks v Bulls, Saturday 19 December, Durban
For betting, derbies tend to have tighter handicaps than matches against European sides, and home advantage matters more than usual. Check team news, because coaches sometimes rest Springboks around the November Test window.
About the URC
The URC brings together professional teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa. The four South African franchises joined in 2021, which means regular trips to Europe and European teams travelling to South Africa. That travel, along with the change in climate and altitude, is one of the things bettors look at closely.
Tips for betting on the URC
- Watch for rotation: during international windows and busy periods, teams rest players. Check the team sheets before placing a bet.
- Consider travel and conditions: a Highveld match at altitude is very different from a cold, wet evening in Europe.
- Look beyond the winner: handicap and total points markets often offer better value in matches with a clear favourite.
- Set a budget: a long season means lots of matches. Decide how much you want to spend before the season starts.
New to rugby betting? Our Springboks guide explains the most common rugby markets.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about URC fixtures and betting on South African teams. Tap a question to see the answer.
18+ only. Betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money. If gambling stops being fun, call the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation on 0800 006 008 or read our responsible gambling guide.