2026/27 URC: Upcoming Matches, Fixtures and Predictions

The new United Rugby Championship season is almost here, and South African rugby fans have plenty to look forward to. The 2026/27 URC season gets underway on Friday, 25 September, with three matches before a full Saturday programme featuring all four South African teams.

Leinster enter the new campaign as defending champions after beating the Vodacom Bulls 36-7 in the 2026 Grand Final. Glasgow Warriors, meanwhile, finished top of the regular-season log last season.

The opening weekend already has some serious fixtures, including Lions vs Leinster and Munster vs Glasgow Warriors.

Benetton vs Dragons

Friday, 25 September – Stadio Monigo, Treviso

Kick-off: 20:45 SA time

Prediction: Benetton win

Benetton finished 13th last season, while Dragons ended 15th. Both teams will be looking for a much better start, making this an important early opportunity.

Home advantage could prove decisive. Benetton also scored considerably more points than Dragons last season.

Prediction: Benetton by 7-10 points.

Connacht vs Stormers

Friday, 25 September – Dexcom Stadium, Galway

Kick-off: 20:45 SA time

Prediction: Stormers win

This is one of the more interesting opening games for South African supporters. The Stormers finished third last season with 60 points and reached the semi-finals before losing to Leinster.

Connacht finished eighth and made the playoffs, but the Stormers have the stronger recent record and plenty of experience in the URC’s big games.

The weather and conditions in Galway could make this a tricky trip, though.

Prediction: Stormers by 5-8 points.

Ulster vs Edinburgh

Friday, 25 September – Affidea Stadium, Belfast

Kick-off: 20:45 SA time

Prediction: Ulster win

Ulster finished ninth last season, just outside the playoff places, while Edinburgh ended 12th.

This is a chance for Ulster to make a statement early. They scored 494 points last season, suggesting they have plenty of attacking ability.

Prediction: Ulster by 8-12 points.

Lions vs Leinster

Saturday, 26 September – Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 13:30 SA time

Prediction: Leinster win

This is arguably the biggest match of the opening weekend.

The Lions finished seventh last season and reached the playoffs, while Leinster finished second before going on to win the title. Leinster also destroyed the Lions 59-10 in the playoffs in May.

The Lions will have home advantage at Ellis Park, but Leinster’s depth makes them a difficult side to stop.

Prediction: Leinster by 6-10 points.

Sharks vs Ospreys

Saturday, 26 September – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 16:00 SA time

Prediction: Sharks win

The Sharks finished 10th last season, while Ospreys were 11th. That makes this one of the more evenly matched games on paper.

The Sharks scored 467 points last season and will be hoping their home form can push them towards playoff contention this time around.

Prediction: Sharks by 8-12 points.

Munster vs Glasgow Warriors

Saturday, 26 September – Thomond Park, Limerick

Kick-off: 18:30 SA time

Prediction: Glasgow Warriors

This could be the match of the weekend.

Glasgow finished top of the regular-season log last year with 65 points, while Munster finished fifth. Glasgow also scored 479 points across the regular season.

Playing at Thomond Park is never easy, though, so this could be a proper arm wrestle.

Prediction: Glasgow Warriors by 1-5 points.

Zebre vs Bulls

Saturday, 26 September – Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma

Kick-off: 18:30 SA time

Prediction: Bulls win

This is a fixture Bulls supporters will expect their team to win.

Zebre finished last in the URC last season, winning only two of their 18 league matches. The Bulls, meanwhile, reached the Grand Final.

The Bulls have also strengthened their squad, including the signing of former Springbok flyhalf Curwin Bosch.

Prediction: Bulls by 15+ points.

Scarlets vs Cardiff

Saturday, 26 September – Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli

Kick-off: 20:45 SA time

Prediction: Cardiff win

Cardiff finished sixth last season and narrowly missed out on the top five, while Scarlets ended 14th.

Cardiff’s stronger 2025/26 campaign makes them the side to back here, although playing away from home makes this less straightforward.

Prediction: Cardiff by 5-10 points.

What to Expect From the New URC Season

The URC remains one of rugby’s most unusual competitions, bringing together 16 teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa. Each team plays 18 regular-season matches before the top eight advance to the playoffs.

For South African fans, the big question is whether one of the four local franchises can go all the way.

The Bulls came closest last season, reaching the final before Leinster proved too strong. The Stormers also made the playoffs, while the Lions reached the knockout stage and the Sharks finished outside the top eight.

There is also plenty of value in watching the early rounds because the URC log can change quickly. With only four points separating fourth-placed Bulls from seventh-placed Lions last season, every bonus point and away victory can become important.

The 2026/27 season should be another fascinating battle between the South African powerhouses and the strong Irish and Scottish sides.

For South African viewers, all eight Round 1 matches are listed for SuperSport coverage, according to the official URC fixture information