South African rugby fans were treated to a weekend of highs, heartbreaks, and hard-fought wins as the country’s United Rugby Championship (URC) teams delivered drama across two continents. From the Stormers’ continued dominance in Europe to the Sharks’ frustrating home loss and the Lions’ long-awaited breakthrough, round four had it all.
Stormers Keep The Fire Burning In Parma
The Stormers are flying high. Their 31-13 win over Zebre Parma in Italy not only keeps them unbeaten this season but also reinforces why the Cape side has become one of the most consistent forces in the URC.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was once again at the heart of the action, scoring twice and setting up another for Warrick Gelant. His form has drawn plenty of attention back home, with fans on social media hailing the 22-year-old as “the future of Western Province rugby.”
Head coach John Dobson’s men have now secured four consecutive bonus-point wins, a testament to their structured dominance and clinical forward play. Their rolling mauls were nearly unstoppable, and captain Ruhan Nel’s late interception try was the perfect exclamation mark to a polished performance.
Sharks Falter As Ill-Discipline Bites Hard
Source: Sharks Rugby on Instagram
Over in Durban, the mood was far less upbeat. The Hollywoodbets Sharks, loaded with Springbok talent, fell 34-26 to Ulster at Kings Park — their third defeat in as many matches.
The warning signs came early. A sluggish start allowed Ulster to race to a 17-point lead before Siya Kolisi’s maul try sparked a brief comeback. But discipline soon unraveled. Both Vincent Koch and Makazole Mapimpi spent time in the sin bin, with Mapimpi’s yellow upgraded to red after a dangerous tackle.
Supporters voiced their frustration online, pointing out that “star power means nothing without composure.” Despite late efforts from Andre Esterhuizen, Ulster’s calm control sealed the Sharks’ fate. With their first win still elusive, coach John Plumtree has a mountain to climb to steady the Durban ship.
Bulls Survive Galway Thriller
Source: Blue Bulls Rugby on X
Up north, the Vodacom Bulls edged Connacht 28-27 in a tense encounter under the Irish lights. It was a match that tested every ounce of their grit.
Willie le Roux and Paul de Wet were instrumental, each crossing the line in a seesaw battle that could have gone either way. Connacht nearly snatched it at the death, but a missed conversion spared Jake White’s men from heartbreak.
The Bulls’ victory marked their first in Galway since joining the URC — a milestone that will lift spirits ahead of their next challenge. Fans hailed it as “a win built on guts and patience,” and rightly so.
Lions Finally Roar At Ellis Park
Back home in Johannesburg, the Lions broke their losing streak with a 29-18 triumph over the Scarlets. After three frustrating away defeats, the return to Ellis Park proved restorative.
Quan Horn, Franco Marais, and replacement prop Morne Brandon all dotted down, while Chris Smith’s steady boot kept the scoreboard ticking. The result gives the Lions some breathing room and momentum before their home clash with Ulster.
The Bigger Picture
With the Stormers leading the way and the Bulls showing resilience, South Africa’s URC presence remains strong. Yet the Sharks’ ongoing struggles have sparked questions about balance and leadership in a squad bursting with internationals.
Fans can’t help but wonder — is this the season the Stormers finally turn dominance into silverware, or will the Bulls’ growing confidence carry them to a title push of their own?
One thing’s certain: as the URC heads into its next round, South African rugby is proving once again that it’s never short on storylines.
Source: SABC Sport
Featured Image Source: DHL Stormers on Instagram
