With only a couple of weeks to go until the URC gets underway, it's time to examine how the teams are shaping up for the new season. Here, we take a look at the four sides who make up the South African Shield, their new signings, opening fixtures and targets for the forthcoming campaign.
Vodacom Bulls
Director of rugby: Jake White
Home ground: Loftus Versfeld
URC 2021-22: Runners-up
SA Shield 2021-22: 2nd
New signings: Phumzile Maqondwana (Airlink Pumas), Ruan Vermaak (NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes), Sbu Nkosi (Cell C Sharks), Wandisile Simelane (Emirates Lions), Mihlali Mosi (Toyota Cheetahs), Chris Smit (Toyota Cheetahs)
Opening matches: Emirates Lions (a), Edinburgh (h), Connacht (h)
The Vodacom Bulls were last season’s bolters, muscling in on the top eight before making it all the way to the Grand Final after beating Leinster in their own backyard. They fell just short in the Cape Town decider but have made a couple of exciting additions in the shape of Nkosi and Simelane. They will undoubtedly be challengers once again but will hope to make a better start than they did last term, when five defeats in their opening six matches left them playing catch-up.
Emirates Lions
Head coach: Ivan van Rooyen
Home ground: Emirates Airline Park
URC 2021-22: 12th
SA Shield 2021-22: 4th
New signings: Marius Louw (Cell C Sharks), Andries Coetzee (Benetton), Rynhardt Jonker (Cell C Sharks), Ruan Smith (Waratahs)
Opening matches: Vodacom Bulls (h), Ospreys (a), Cardiff (a)
The Emirates Lions were the only one of the four South African sides to miss out on a place in the play-offs last season and have lost some key players over the summer, with Simelane having left for the Bulls, Vincent Tshituka and Carlu Sadie off to the Cell C Sharks and Burger Odendaal joining Wasps. The hope in Johannesburg will be that those who have come in can fill that void and lead them closer to the top eight.
Cell C Sharks
Head coach: Sean Everitt
Home ground: Hollywoodbets Kings Park
URC 2021-22: Final Eight
SA Shield 2021-22: 3rd
New signings: Eben Etzebeth (Toulon), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Sale Sharks), Nevaldo Fleurs (Maties), Vincent Tshituka (Emirates Lions), Carlu Sadie (Emirates Lions), Lionel Cronje (Toyota Verblitz)
Opening matches: Zebre Parma (a), Dragons (a), Leinster (a)
The Cell C Sharks’ campaign ended disappointingly last term, squandering a top-four position in the final round of the regular season and with it home advantage in the Final Eight. They suffered a heart-breaking last-gasp defeat to the Bulls in Pretoria and will be determined to improve on that display this time around. The arrivals of the likes of Etzebeth and Tshituka will have fans in Durban excited and, if they can get all of their star names firing, they are certainly in with a chance of glory.
DHL Stormers
Head coach: John Dobson
Home ground: DHL Stadium
URC 2021-22: Champions
SA Shield 2021-22: 1st
New signings: Joseph Dweba (Bordeaux Begles), Clayton Blommetjies (Toyota Cheetahs), Chris Hollis (Emirates Lions), Gary Porter (Ealing Trailfinders)
Opening fixtures: Connacht (h), Edinburgh (h), Zebre Parma (a)
The DHL Stormers head into the new season with a target on their backs after being crowned the inaugural winners of the URC last term. There is no question the defence of their title will be a monumental battle, with the likes of Leinster smarting from a trophy-less campaign and plenty more contenders in the chasing pack. Warrick Gelant's departure to Racing 92 is a big loss but Springbok hooker Dweba headlines the Stormers' new additions. The Stormers will play their opening two home fixtures in Stellenbosch.
