

It was a much-improved weekend for South African teams in the United Rugby Championship (URC), and the standings have shifted as the competition heats up.
Saturday was filled with thrilling action, with the Lions making a strong case as a potential surprise team this season. At Ellis Park, the Lions surged to an incredible 48-0 lead by halftime against Edinburgh, and although they couldn’t sustain the same intensity in the second half, they still secured a commanding 55-21 bonus-point victory, sending a clear message to their rivals.
Elsewhere, the Bulls delivered an impressive performance, scoring seven tries in their 47-21 bonus-point win over Ulster. Meanwhile, the Stormers took care of business in Parma, securing a solid 36-5 bonus-point win against Zebre.
The Sharks had a more challenging encounter, but they managed to clinch a dramatic 33-30 last-minute victory over the Dragons, much to their relief.
Although the URC season is still in its early stages, these results have already started to reshape the standings, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.