SA’s Next Gen kids are winning in the United Rugby Championship

South Africa’s younger players are being trusted to win home and away in the United Rugby Championship. This is the most significant change to the SA landscape in the competition.

The 2026/27 season started this past weekend and South Africa’s quartet won all four matches, two at home and two away from home.

The Stormers travelled without 10 or 11 frontline players, trailed during the second half and still returned from one of the competition’s more difficult destinations with five league points. Their late surge turned a tight contest into a 14-point bonus-point win.

That spoke to depth and character.

The Lions fielded five debutants and were missing two of their most influential players to the Springboks. Leinster’s team was experimental, but Leinster remain Leinster. The Lions have not always beaten weakened Leinster teams, and Kelly Mpeku’s late try and Chris Smith’s conversion delivered a result that will give this young group enormous belief.

The Sharks produced an electric opening 35 minutes against the Ospreys. Jaden Hendrikse controlled the tempo, Vusi Moyo conducted play with authority and Luan Giliomee played with pace and conviction.

When the momentum shifted towards the Ospreys, the Sharks responded. That was as important as their early attacking quality.

The Bulls were the most emphatic winners.

They scored seven tries in Italy and, with more accuracy, could have scored several more. Curwin Bosch looked like a senior professional in his Bulls debut, controlling territory with a booming line-kicking game and combining smartly with Willie le Roux as dual first receivers.

Le Roux attacked the line. Bosch scanned from depth and kicked into space. Zebre could not contain either threat.

There was also a warning in the wins.

All four South African teams lacked patience at different stages. Dominant attacking positions were too often compromised by the attempted miracle offload, speculative cross-kick or desire to score the glamorous seven-pointer.

That will have to improve.

The wider shift was also striking. While South Africa’s four teams all won, the four Irish provinces all lost their opening fixtures for the first time since the 2009-10 season. rte.ie

South Africa went four from four with youngsters, debutants, depleted squads and two victories overseas in what is the most encouraging start since the tournament launched six seasons ago. That is not hype. It is the perfect start.

Watch the full Keo & Zels Rugby Show for the complete review of all four matches, the standout individuals and the one attacking flaw every South African team must address.