KEO News Wire

SA teams flex their muscle as URC heats up

Published

2 months ago

5th March 2026

Keo

South Africa’s URC franchises continue to make their presence felt across the competition’s statistical landscape, with Round 12 offering another reminder of the attacking firepower and individual quality spread across the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Sharks and Fidelity SecureDrive Lions.

From the Bulls’ scoring spree to the Stormers’ territorial dominance and several standout individual performances, the numbers from the latest round – and the season as a whole – underline just how influential the South African sides remain.

Bulls lead the attacking charge

If there was one South African side that truly lit up Round 12, it was the Vodacom Bulls.

Jake White’s men finished the round top of the tries scored chart with seven, while also leading the competition for points scored with 41.

Those numbers reflect a Bulls side that has increasingly leaned into its attacking weapons. With players such as Canan Moodie, Sebastian de Klerk and Embrose Papier capable of breaking games open, the Pretoria outfit continues to show why it remains one of the competition’s most dangerous attacking teams.

Over the course of the season, that attacking consistency has also paid dividends. The Bulls sit third overall for tries scored with 45, trailing only Glasgow Warriors and Leinster.

Individually, Bulls players also featured strongly in the Round 12 metrics. Centre Harold Vorster topped the round’s line-break statistics with four, while scrumhalf Embrose Papier was among the leaders for metres gained.

Stormers creating pressure

The DHL Stormers may not have dominated the Round 12 scoreboard, but the numbers show they still spent plenty of time on the front foot.

John Dobson’s side finished first for visits to the opposition 22 with 15, highlighting the territorial pressure they were able to apply.

That ability to create opportunities remains one of the Stormers’ biggest strengths. Even when finishing proves difficult, the Cape side consistently generates attacking platforms.

Among the individual standouts, Evan Roos once again showed his influence with 15 carries in the round, placing him among the most active ball carriers in the competition.

Roos’ work rate and dynamism have been a hallmark of the Stormers’ pack all season.

Lions continue to deliver attacking output

The Fidelity SecureDrive Lions have quietly built one of the more productive attacking records in the competition.

In Round 12 they finished joint second for points scored with 24, underlining their ability to convert opportunities when they present themselves.

Across the season the Johannesburg side has maintained that attacking momentum, ranking among the top teams for points scored with 325.

Players like Henco van Wyk and Quan Horn continue to provide attacking spark, with Horn also featuring prominently in the season-long kicking metrics.

Sharks battling in the physical exchanges

For the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Round 12 highlighted the defensive demands they faced.

The Durban side recorded 92 tackles during the round, reflecting the physical workload they had to absorb.

The Sharks’ attacking threats remain clear, however, with players such as Andre Esterhuizen continuing to feature among the competition’s most effective ball carriers.

As the season progresses, converting pressure into points will be key to ensuring the Durban side climbs further up the standings.

SA influence remains strong

Zooming out across the full season statistics, South Africa’s presence across the URC remains significant.

The Bulls are among the competition’s leading attacking sides, the Lions continue to accumulate points, the Stormers remain dangerous in opposition territory and the Sharks continue to bring their physical edge.

On the individual front, players like Sebastian de Klerk, Evan Roos, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Quan Horn all feature prominently across the competition’s attacking metrics.

With the URC season entering its decisive stretch, the numbers suggest South Africa’s franchises will continue to play a major role in shaping the race for the playoffs.

WHAT SA TEAMS MUST DO TO MAKE THE PLAY-OFFS

And if Round 12 is anything to go by, the best may still be to come.

Key SA team stats

Round 12 – team highlights

Vodacom Bulls
- 1st – Tries scored: 7
- 1st – Points scored: 41
Fidelity SecureDrive Lions
- Joint 2nd – Points scored: 24
DHL Stormers
- 1st – Visits to opposition 22: 15
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Tackles made: 92
Vodacom Bulls
- Metres gained: 471 (3rd overall)
DHL Stormers
- Defenders beaten: 30 (2nd overall)

Season totals – SA teams

Vodacom Bulls
- 3rd – Tries scored: 45
- 5th – Points scored: 304
- 4th – Metres gained: 4430
Fidelity SecureDrive Lions
- 5th – Points scored: 325
- 6th – Metres gained: 4363
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- 7th – Tries scored: 38
DHL Stormers
- 13th – Metres gained: 3458