SA sides dominate key URC stats as regular season ends

The South African franchises left their mark across all major performance metrics in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, with the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers in particular finishing the regular season as dominant forces in key statistical areas.

Bulls dominate kicking and scrumming

The Vodacom Bulls led the way in both kicking and scrum metrics:

•Kicking: The Pretoria-based side topped the overall kicking category. They finished:

• 1st for conversions (55)

• 2nd for kicks from hand (502)

• 3rd for kick metres (14,983)

• 4th for kicks retained (71)

• 2nd for tries scored from kicks (5)

• 2nd for penalties kicked (25)

•Scrums: The Bulls had the most dominant scrum in the competition:

• 1st for scrums won (118)

• 3rd in scrum win percentage (95%)

• 2nd for scrum penalties won (43)

These numbers reflect a pack that gave their backline front-foot ball and a kicking game that effectively turned pressure into points.

Stormers lead the league in attacking stats

The DHL Stormers were officially the most dangerous attacking team of the URC’s regular season:

• 1st for clean breaks (176)

• 1st for offloads (234)

• 4th for metres gained (7,305)

• 5th for tries scored (66)

• 3rd for total points scored (507)

Lineouts: Stormers, Sharks and Lions all in the top five

The South African presence extended into the lineout rankings:

•The Stormers ranked 2nd for lineouts won (253), with a 90% success rate and 23 lineout steals (5th).

•The Emirates Lions finished 5th in lineouts won (228), with 20 steals and an 88% success rate.

•The Sharks were 4th overall, with 208 lineouts won and 21 steals, also at an 88% success rate.

Collectively, the three SA teams demonstrated control at the set piece and made valuable defensive contributions with their steals.

With the Stormers leading the way on attack and the Bulls excelling in set-piece and tactical kicking, South Africa’s franchises once again proved their pedigree in the Vodacom URC. The Lions and Sharks also featured prominently, especially at the lineout, rounding off a powerful collective showing from the Republic ahead of the playoffs.