The Stormers will be the first South African side in action when they take on Irish side Connacht in Galway on Friday evening as the new URC season kicks off.
On Saturday, the focus shifts to Mzansi when the Lions host two-time defending champions Leinster, also from Ireland, in Johannesburg, before the Sharks take on the Ospreys from Wales in Durban.
The Bulls’ clash against Zebre Parma in Italy is the final match for the South African teams in round one.
KEY MATCH INFORMATION FOR THE START OF THE URC
Connacht v Stormers
Date: Friday, 25 September 2026
Venue: Dexcom Stadium, Galway
SA Time: 20:45
Referee: Sam Grove-White
TV: SuperSport
Lions v Leinster
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
SA Time: 13:30
Referee: Ben Breakspear
TV: SuperSport
Sharks v Ospreys
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
SA Time: 16:00
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
TV: SuperSport
Zebre Parma v Bulls
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
SA Time: 18:30
Referee: Andrew Brace
TV: SuperSport
CAPITALISING ON MOMENTUM
Five years after the launch of the United Rugby Championship, CEO Martin Anayi said he wants to see league momentum translate into even greater success for its clubs.
Launched in 2021 as a “Different League”, the URC has grown its audiences on screen, in stadiums and across digital platforms.
Now, after five seasons of building momentum, CEO Anayi says the next next challenge is ensuring that the growth of the league translates into even greater success for its 16 clubs.
Martin Anayi, CEO of the United Rugby Championship, said: “Five years ago we set out to build a league that looked different, felt different and behaved differently. We wanted jeopardy, diversity, world-class players and a competition where fans genuinely didn’t know what was going to happen next.
“There is a strong case that the URC is now the hardest league in rugby to win. What’s happened on the pitch tells its own story: four different champions in five seasons, 14 of our 16 clubs reaching the playoffs and no successful title defence until Leinster last season. Teams must win in different climates, intimidating stadiums, different surfaces against opponents who present completely different challenges from one week to the next.
“Now, more people are coming through the gates, more people are watching, our social audience has more than trebled and we have clubs creating bigger occasions and finding new ways to connect with their supporters.
“This growth gives us enormous momentum, but momentum only counts if you use it. Our ambition now is to make the URC feel even bigger: more major occasions, more full stadiums, more supporters and an even stronger competition for every one of our clubs.”
