RUGBY THRILLS - what to expect this weekend

The rugby gods are serving up a buffet this weekend: club legends, Bok-laden battles, and a Georgian ambush in Bloem. Whether you’re up early for Kiwi crunch or glued to Brookside for club glory, there’s something for everyone.

The URC is heating up — and not just because of the log. Big names are back, but cohesion is still catching up. The Bulls and Sharks are learning the hard way that pre-season matters, and Leinster’s Lions hangover is lingering.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Challenge is throwing curveballs. Black Lion stunned Bloem last week, and the Cheetahs are out for revenge. Add a curtain-raiser with legends and you’ve got a Sunday double-header worth clearing your schedule for.

And don’t sleep on the club game. Villager and Naka Bulls are going toe-to-toe for Gold Cup glory, while Canterbury and Otago bring South Island fire to the NPC final. Let’s dive in.

Vodacom United Rugby Championship

Round 4 was a reality check for last season’s top dogs. Leinster and the Sharks both lost at home, but when you look at the disrupted pre-seasons and Bok reintegration chaos, it’s not that shocking. Teams like Munster, Ulster and the Stormers - who’ve had continuity - are thriving.

The Bulls scraped past Connacht last week, surviving a retaken conversion to win by one. Johan Ackermann’s side is still finding rhythm with its returning Springboks, while Glasgow, Munster and Cardiff are quietly building momentum with settled squads.

Leinster’s woes continued with a loss to Munster, and the Sharks were outplayed by Ulster. The log now shows a clear divide: the together teams are climbing, while the disrupted giants are stuck in the mud. Round 5 is crunch time.

📺 Glasgow Warriors v Vodacom Bulls — Friday 20:40 on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211)
📺 Lions v Ulster Rugby — Saturday 13:40 on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211)
📺 Hollywoodbets Sharks v Scarlets — Saturday 15:55 on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211)
📺 Leinster Rugby v Zebre Parma — Saturday 18:25 on SuperSport Variety 2 (channel 207)
📺 Benetton v DHL Stormers — Saturday 18:25 on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211)
📺 Dragons v Ospreys — Saturday 18:25 on SuperSport Variety 1 (channel 206)
📺 Munster Rugby v Connacht Rugby — Saturday 20:40 on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211)
📺 Cardiff Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby — Saturday 20:40 on SuperSport Variety 1 (channel 206)

Toyota Challenge

Black Lion - Georgia’s top club - shocked Bloemfontein with a 39-38 win last Friday. The Cheetahs will be desperate to bounce back in Sunday’s rematch at Toyota Stadium. Expect a fired-up home side and a bruising encounter.

Before that, the Cheetahs Legends take on the Bulls Legends Invitational XV in a curtain-raiser that promises nostalgia, big hits, and a few grey hairs. Both games are live on SuperSport and worth your Sunday afternoon.

📺 Cheetahs Legends v Bulls Legends Invitational XV — Sunday 12:25 on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211)
📺 Toyota Cheetahs v Black Lion — Sunday 14:55 on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211)

NPC Final

Canterbury and Otago meet in Christchurch for the Bunnings Cup NPC final - a South Island showdown that feels like Crusaders vs Highlanders in disguise. Both sides cruised through their semis and now chase legacy in the final.

📺 Canterbury v Otago — Saturday 05:00 on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211)