The BKT United Rugby Championship Semi-Finals will take place this Saturday, June 7, with teams from Ireland, Scotland, and South Africa all competing for a place in the Grand Final.
Leinster, Glasgow Warriors, Vodacom Bulls, and Hollywoodbets Sharks all delivered match-winning performances to set up a pair of blockbuster Semi-Finals across the northern and southern hemispheres.
The results now narrow down the list of possible Grand Final venues, with Dublin’s Croke Park, Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld and Hollywoodbets Kings Park headlining a stellar lineup of iconic stadia. All of the top four seeds have progressed after a weekend filled with drama and thrilling entertainment.
In Semi-Final 1, Leinster (1) will enjoy home advantage when they take on defending champions Glasgow Warriors (4) at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, kicking off at 15:45 (SA Time),
Following that clash of the Celts, Hollywoodbets Sharks (3) will face the Vodacom Bulls (2) in a South African derby at Loftus Versfeld in Semi-Final 2, kicking off at 18:15 (SA Time)
Of the Semi-Finalist teams, only Glasgow Warriors have previously won the BKT URC, while the Vodacom Bulls were runners-up in the 2022 and 2024 Grand Finals. The Hollywoodbets Sharks make their first-ever appearance in a Semi-Final, while remarkably, eight-time league winners Leinster are still chasing their first Grand Final appearance in the BKT URC era.
The first three seasons of BKT URC Play-Offs have produced several away wins, including at the Semi-Final stage, and these evenly poised match-ups could yet see joy for the travelling teams.
2025 URC SEMI-FINALS
Saturday, June 7
SF1: Leinster (1) v Glasgow Warriors (4)
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15:45
SF2: Vodacom Bulls (2) v Hollywoodbets Sharks (3)
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 18:15