Derby Dominance: Bulls and Sharks Reshape the URC Landscape
- Karen Scheepers
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The final weekend of January 2026 delivered a seismic shift in the United Rugby Championship as South Africa’s premier franchises clashed in two titanic derbies. With the tournament reaching a critical juncture, these matches were defined by brutal physicality, tactical masterclasses, and a significant reshuffling of the overall standings. As the competition prepares for a mid-season break, the results from the Highveld and the coast have injected fresh drama into the race for playoff positions.
The Jukskei Stampede: Bulls Overwhelm the Lions
Final Score: Emirates Lions 17 – 52 Vodacom Bulls
Man of the Match: Harold Vorster (Vodacom Bulls)
In a performance that signaled their arrival as genuine title contenders, the Vodacom Bulls produced a ruthless display at Ellis Park to dismantle their Johannesburg rivals. Despite being reduced to 14 men early on due to a Kurt-Lee Arendse yellow card, the Bulls dominated every facet of the game.
Bulls Performance: The Pretoria-based side crossed the tryline eight times, including a brace from Man of the Match Harold Vorster. Flyhalf Handré Pollard controlled the game expertly, contributing a try and five conversions for a 15-point haul.
Lions Performance: The Lions struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage, managing only two consolation tries through Morne van den Berg and Bronson Mills.
Log Impact: This victory propelled the Bulls to 7th place (25 points), while the Lions slipped to 10th (24 points).
The Coastal Battle: Sharks Secure Historic Double over Stormers
Final Score: Hollywoodbets Sharks 36 – 24 DHL Stormers
Man of the Match: André Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
The Sharks completed a rare coastal sweep, following up their previous win in Cape Town with another clinical performance in Durban. Facing a Stormers side that started with blistering speed, the Sharks relied on their powerful Springbok contingent to turn a halftime deficit into a commanding bonus-point win.
Sharks Performance: Man of the Match André Esterhuizen was a pillar of strength in the midfield, scoring one of his team’s five tries. Grant Williams and Jaco Williams (2) added lightning pace to the attack, while Jordan Hendrikse’s reliable boot kept the scoreboard ticking.
Stormers Performance: The visitors scored inside the first minute via Cobus Reinach but were ultimately undone by ill-discipline and a relentless Sharks pack. Paul de Villiers added a second-half try, but it wasn't enough to prevent a second straight defeat.
Log Impact: The Sharks’ surge continues as they climb to 9th place (24 points), while the Stormers have dropped from second to 3rd (36 points) on the overall log.
Top Point Scorers for SA Franchises
The battle for the Golden Boot within South Africa is heating up, with young stars and seasoned veterans trading places at the top of the points log.
Jurie Matthee (DHL Stormers): Leading not just the South African contingent but the entire URC, Matthee has amassed 78 points. His reliability from the tee has been a cornerstone for the Stormers' top-three position.
Chris Smith (Emirates Lions): A model of consistency, Smith sits in the league's top five overall scorers with 62 points. His ability to keep the scoreboard ticking was evident even in the tough derby against the Bulls.
Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls): Since his arrival, Pollard has quickly climbed the ranks, notably contributing 15 points (one try and five conversions) in the recent 52–17 rout of the Lions.
Jordan Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks): Hendrikse has been pivotal in the Sharks' resurgence, adding 11 points (four conversions and a penalty) in their latest victory over the Stormers to help steer them toward the top eight.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers): Despite missing some recent action, he remains a major threat, contributing 14 points in the coastal derby and currently holding a 100% kicking success rate for the season.
SA Try-Scoring Leaders
The race for the most tries is just as competitive, with forward power and backline speed both represented at the top of the list.
Evan Roos (DHL Stormers): The dynamic number eight remains one of the league's most lethal finishers with 6 tries to his name.
Werner Kok (Hollywoodbets Sharks): Known for his relentless work rate, Kok has crossed the whitewash 6 times this season.
Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks): A rising star in the Sharks' backline, Williams surged up the rankings after scoring two crucial tries in the weekend’s win over the Stormers.
Harold Vorster (Vodacom Bulls): The center made a massive impact this weekend, scoring a brace of tries against the Lions and earning Man of the Match honors.
As the URC enters a hiatus for the Six Nations, the South African Shield remains wide open. The Bulls and Sharks head into the break with significant momentum, having successfully challenged the early-season dominance of their local rivals. Fans can look forward to the resumption of hostilities in late February, where every point will be vital in the scramble for home quarter-finals.
All image credits: Vodacom United Rugby Championship - URC
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