The Vodacom United Rugby Championship Play-Off teams are now confirmed with eight teams from across Ireland, South Africa, Scotland and Wales all locked in for the Quarter-Finals on May 30 and 31.
As the ‘Race to the Eight’ finished in dramatic fashion this weekend, the four home Quarter-Finalists - Leinster, Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks and Glasgow Warriors all learned who they face in a bid to reach the Semi-Finals.
The results from Round 18 ensured that the four home teams were ranked: Leinster (1), Vodacom Bulls (2), Hollywoodbets Sharks (3) and Glasgow Warriors (4).
This sets up an intriguing Quarter-Final slate in two weeks’ time which includes three cross-hemisphere battles.
Vodacom URC Play-Off Format (SA Time)
Quarter-Finals
Friday, May 30
QF4: (4) Glasgow Warriors v (5) DHL Stormers @ Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow at 20:35
Saturday, May 31
QF2: (2) Vodacom Bulls v (7) Edinburgh @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 13:30
QF1: (1) Leinster v (8) Scarlets @ Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 16:00
QF3: (3) Hollywoodbets Sharks v (6) Munster @ Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban at 18:30
Semi-Finals – Saturday, June 7
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3
Vodacom URC Grand Final – Saturday, June 14
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2
While the four home Quarter-Finalists are best placed to reach the decider, history may yet deliver a twist — no team ranked No 1 has ever lifted the Vodacom URC trophy. In past seasons, it was fourth-placed Glasgow (2024), fifth-placed Munster (2023), and second-placed DHL Stormers (2022) who emerged as champions.