The South African teams have wasted no time in welcoming back a host of Springboks who will be involved in URC action this weekend.
At the Stormers, Siya Kolisi will his first game for the Cape side in over five years, while the Lions’ Springbok players, Morne van den Berg and Quan Horn, return to the matchday squad.
Andre Esterhuizen returns from international duty to lead a strong Sharks team that includes the likes of Ethan Hooker and Thomas du Toit, although at the Bulls, coach Johan Ackermann has not rushed any Springboks back largely due to the fact the side is playing away overseas in Ireland.
CHECK OUT THE URC TEAMS AS SEVERAL SPRINGBOKS RETURN TO ACTION
Match Information:
Edinburgh v Stormers
Date: Friday, 2 October 2026
Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
SA Time: 20:45
Referee: Eoghan Cross
TV: SuperSport
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Adré Smith, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Andre Warner, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Lions v Ospreys
Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
SA Time: 13:45
Referee: Filippo Russo
TV: SuperSport
Lions: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Boan Venter
Subs: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Dylan Sjoblom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Quan Horn
Sharks v Leinster
Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
SA Time: 18:30
Referee: Craig Evans
TV: SuperSport
Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Lili Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Esethu Mnebelele, 1 Thomas du Toit
Subs: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 23 Ethan Hooker
Munster v Bulls
Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
SA Time: 20:45
Referee: Federico Vedovelli
TV: SuperSport
Bulls: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Stravino Jacobs, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Subs: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Cheswill Jooste, 23 Willie le Roux.
Action to look forward to
The four South African United Rugby Championship sides will have their sights set on building on their strong start to the competition last weekend in which they registered a clean sweep of victories with another challenging round awaiting them this weekend.
The Stormers will again kick off the action on Friday when they line up against Edinburgh in Scotland, while a jam-packed Saturday will see the Lions host the Ospreys in Johannesburg, the Sharks take on Leinster in Durban, and the Bulls battle it out with Munster in the closing game of the weekend in Limerick.
