Bulls secure home URC playoff, Lions and Stormers bag vital wins

Willemse returns for Stormers in Galway

Damian Willemse, Hacjivah Dayimani and Brok Harris all come into the Stormers' starting line-up for the United Rugby Championship encounter with Connacht in Galway on Saturday.

The Stormers will be looking to make it back-to-back wins on the road following their 44-21 bonus point win against Dragons.

Willemse slots in at inside centre, with Dan du Plessis shifting to 13 in the only changes to the backline as Evan Roos moves to openside flank, with Dayimani starting at the back.

The experienced Harris will start at loosehead prop, alongside the Springbok front row duo of Frans Malherbe and Joseph Dweba.

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team is keen to build on the momentum gained from their win at Rodney Parade last week.

"We know there are many areas we can sharpen up in and this is another great opportunity to refine our game with the play-offs approaching," said Dobson.

"We know that Connacht will be desperate to win in their last home game of the season and the obvious pressure of the log will ramp up the intensity even further. We want to show that we can be a threat no matter where we play."

Kick-off is at 18:05 (SA time).

Stormers squad for Saturday's URC game: 

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Evan Roos, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Brok Harris

Substitutes: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Lions make four changes for Ellis Park clash against log leaders Glasgow

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has made four changes to his team that will face United Rugby Championship log leaders Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park on Saturday.

With two matches remaining before the play-offs, the 10-placed Lions are at last chance saloon to make it to the top eight, with a tough outing against Franco Smith's men.

Gianni Lombard starts at flyhalf, while Sanele Nohamba and Jordan Hendrikse will come off the 6-2 split bench, while Rabz Maxwane has replaced David Kriel at wing.

The other changes are among the forwards with Emmanuel Tshituka making his return as starting blindside flanker, while loosehead prop Morgan Naude comes in for Ruan Dreyer, who is also on the bench.  

The match kicks off at 16:05.

Lions team to face Glasgow Warriors

15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Marius Louw (c), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Morgan Naude

Substitutes: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Ruan Venter, 21 Hanru Sergel, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Jordan Hendrikse.

Goosen back at flyhalf as Bulls op for consistency    

There is only one change to the Bulls starting XV for Saturday's URC clash against Italian side Benetton at Loftus Versfeld.

Springbok Johan Goosen is back at No 10 after serving a suspension. He replaces Chris Smith who started in last weekend's 40-34 home win over Glasgow Warriors.

Smith drops down to the bench in place of Jaco van der Walt. Keagan Johannes also comes in for Zak Burger as scrumhalf cover and speedster Sebastian de Klerk takes Devon Williams' spot on the bench.

"This weekend has so many permutations still. We could win and still remain in fourth. That is what’s nice about the competition, it all goes down to the final weekend," said Bulls director of rugby Jake White.

On Goosen's return to action, White commented: "It's nice to have a guy like Johan return because you know what he offers. Saying all of that, Chris (Smith) is also highly rated in our fold, he is not flashy and very consistent and so that makes for nice competition for the jersey."

Bulls team to face Benetton:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp  

Substitutes: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sebastian de Klerk

Challenge Cup final takes priority as Sharks rest Bok stars for Cardiff clash

The Sharks have rested several of their Springbok stars for Saturday's URC clash against Welsh side Cardiff in Durban.

The Sharks opted for this make-shift side as they shift their focus on next weekend's EPCR Challenge Cup final against Gloucester in London.

Lock Reniel Hugo will lead the Sharks against Cardiff.

Flanker Simon Miller will make his Sharks debut, while Braam Reyneke, Ig Prinsloo and Thomas Dyer also also in line to make their debuts off the bench.

"We've given guys an opportunity to put their hands up and play well, to give the team that goes to Gloucester good momentum going forward," explained Sharks defence coach Joey Mongalo.

"Hopefully the way these guys account of themselves is a true reflection of where we are and how far we’ve come as a collective."

Sharks team to face Cardiff:

15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Dieggo Appollis, 12 Eduan Keyter, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khwezi Mona, 2 Dylan Richardson 1 Dian Bleuler

Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Braam Reyneke, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Thomas Dyer, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Anthony Volmink