URC South African Review – Only Bulls Remain In Top 8

 

The Hollywoodbets Sharks, Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers were all looking to reverse their fortunes in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this weekend, while the Vodacom Bulls faced a tough challenge as they aim to stay in the top four on the log.

However, wins for the Vodacom Bulls and a first for the Emirates Lions were the only positives for the South African rugby public. Once again reminding them that Europe is no place for underperforming clubs hoping for miracles.

The Vodacom Bulls are currently topping the United Rugby Challenge table with fifteen points while it is expected that the DHL Stormers will slip out of the top 8 after the last URC match this afternoon between Leinster and the Dragons.

The Emirates Lions moved up to 12th following their smash-and-grab win while the Sharks are last with only 1 point earned from 4 matches on their overseas tour.

Emirates Lions In Smash And Grab Win Over Scarlets

The Emirates Lions faced a reinvigorated Scarlets on Saturday and were on their way to losing their third match on tour. However, the Emirates Lions scored 10 unanswered points in the last seven minutes of the match to secure a 24-23 win over the Scarlets.

The Scarlets "dominated" the first half and the Lions were smiling trailing only 07-10 after 40 minutes of play. Despite being "dominated" the Lions kept in contact with their hosts on the scoreboard and scored 10 unanswered points in the last seven minutes of the match to secure their first win of the 2023/24 URC season.

Scorers:
Scarlets: Tries: Tom Rogers, Ryan Elias. Conversion: Ioan Lloyd (2). Penalties: Ioan Lloyd (3).
Emirates Lions: Tries: Marius Louw, BJ Botha, Henco van Wyk. Conversions: Sanele Nohamba (3). Penalty: Sanele Nohamba.

Bad Decision-Making Cost DHL Stormers Against Benetton

The DHL Stormers' decision-making cost them the match against an unbeaten and willing Benetton who were willing to grind out a 20-17 win.

The Stormers trailed 10-13 at the halftime break, however, they should have led if they converted their point-scoring opportunities. Benetton were still 100% in the contest and should have been happy with the scoreline at the halftime break. The second half will be referred to as "if we only could" half by the Stormers who suffered their second loss on the road.

Bad decisions during the last 10 minutes of the match were singled out by a visibly frustrated Stormers head coach John Dobson.

Scorers:
Benetton: Tries: Marco Zanon, Alessandro Izekor. Conversions: Tomas Albornoz, Jacob Umaga. Penalty: Tomas Albornoz. Drop Goal: Rhyno Smith.
DHL Stormers: Tries: Warrick Gelant, Scarra Ntubeni, Courtnall Skosan. Conversion: Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Vodacom Bulls Secured Second Win On Tour Against Cardiff

The Vodacom Bulls secured a tough 18-12 win over Cardiff at the Cardiff Arms Parkison on Friday night, securing the top spot on the United Rugby Championship table.

The Bulls scored two tries within 3 minutes early in the first half to lead 12-00. Cardiff replied with a try of their own after 23 minutes of play and despite try-scoring opportunities by both teams, the score remained 12-05 in favour of the visitors going into the second half.

The second half was all action with often only desperate defence by both teams keeping their opponents from scoring. The Bulls managed to hang on for a well-deserved 18-12 win.

Scorers:
Cardiff: Tries: Mason Grady, Rey Lee-Lo. Conversion: Tinus de Beer.
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Embrose Papier, Sebastian de Klerk. Conversion: Chris Smith. Penalties: Chris Smith (2)

Ill Discipline Cost Hollywoodbets Sharks A Win Against Zebre Parma

An uninspiring and ill-disciplined Hollywoodbets Sharks will return to South Africa without a win from four matches after they lost to Zebre Parma by 12-10 on Friday evening in Parma.

The first half was a stop-start affair as both sides were penalised mercilessly. The Sharks led 10-06 after 16 minutes of play in the first half and although Zebre set up camp in the Sharks' red zone for the last 15 minutes of the first half, brilliant defence by the Sharks secured them a 10-06 lead going into the second half. Two penalties converted in the second half secured the 12-10 win for Zebre.

Scorers:
Zebre Parma: Penalties: Geronimo Prisciantelli (3), Jacopo Trulla.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Try: Cameron Wright. Conversion: Boeta Chamberlain. Penalty: Boeta Chamberlain.