The Final Push: How the South African Teams Are Tracking in the URC Playoff Race

With only one round left in the 2025/2026 United Rugby Championship regular season, the calculators are out and the tension is palpable. The race to the playoffs is a brutal test of endurance, and for everyday supporters watching the drama unfold, the big question remains: how are our local franchises tracking as we enter the business end of the tournament?

The Heavyweights Holding Court

A quick glance at the form guide reveals a largely positive picture for South African rugby. The DHL Stormers are currently the pride of the local contingent. Sitting comfortably in second place on the overall standings with 59 points, they are a single point behind the log-leading Glasgow Warriors. After a commanding run of form that included thumping Glasgow just a few weeks ago, the Capetonians have practically guaranteed their spot in the knockouts and are perfectly positioned to secure a crucial home quarter final.

Hot on their heels are the Vodacom Bulls. Currently nestled in fourth position with 54 points, the men from Pretoria have turned Loftus Versfeld into a fortress. Having navigated a tricky recent fixture against Zebre with a massive 54 to 19 victory, they are well on track to bring a playoff fixture to the highveld, provided they hold their nerve in the final round against Benetton.

The Surprise Package and The Heartbreak

Perhaps the most exciting revelation of the season is the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions. The Johannesburg outfit has been the absolute dark horse of the competition. What the form guide shows us is that their consistency has paid massive dividends. Sitting proudly in fifth place on 53 points, they have strung together an incredible run of victories, proving they can go toe to toe with the heavyweights of Europe. They are comfortably inside the top eight and looking incredibly dangerous.

However, the URC can be a cruel tournament, and it has delivered a bitter pill for the Hollywoodbets Sharks to swallow. Despite boasting a roster packed with Springbok superstars, the Durban side has endured a deeply frustrating campaign. Languishing in tenth place on 41 points after a costly defeat to Edinburgh in Scotland, their playoff dreams are officially over. With the gap to the top eight now mathematically insurmountable, it is a season the coastal fans will want to quickly forget.

What Comes Next?

As we brace for Round 18, the narrative is overwhelmingly positive for three of the four South African teams. The Stormers, Bulls, and Lions are not just making up the numbers; they are legitimate contenders. If the current form guide is anything to go by, European teams travelling south for the knockout stages are in for a bruising reality check.