Emirates Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen went into this Vodacom United Rugby Championship season determined for his team to build on the momentum they had towards the end of last season.
The Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions held the torch for the South African franchises in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship with hard-fought victories in Wales this weekend, as the DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks found the going tough in Italy in the fourth round of the competition.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks, Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers will be looking to reverse their fortunes in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this week, while the Vodacom Bulls face a tough challenge as they aim to stay in the top four on the log.
The Vodacom Bulls delivered a strong performance in Italy to move back into the top four of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, but the three other South African teams found the going tough on the road in the Northern Hemisphere.
Friday evening’s clash between the Ospreys and Hollywoodbets Sharks takes on historic significance as the first ever Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture to take place in London, when the two teams meet at the Twickenham Stoop.
The DHL Stormers were the only South African side to come away with a victory in the second round of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this weekend, as the Emirates Lions, Hollywoodbets Sharks and Vodacom Bulls all came up short in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks have another opportunity to both grow and showcase the rugby journey they have embraced when they take on Leinster in Saturday’s round two Vodacom United Rugby Championship action.
The DHL Stormers will be looking to build on their strong start to the third season of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship when they host Scarlets on Saturday – the only game in South Africa with the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls playing abroad.
Vodacom Bulls assistant coach Gary Gold says he is looking forward to being part of a championship team at this stage of his career and that it played a major part in his decision to join the Pretoria franchise.
It may feel like the eyes of the rugby world are on France at the moment, but this weekend, the next generation of Springboks will start the new season when the third edition of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship kicks off across South Africa, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy.