United Rugby Championship predictions and fixture times for 11 - 13 March 2022

The United Rugby Championship sees its first meaningful run of fixtures in South Africa kick off this weekend, as the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic begins to ease at long last.

Last year’s aborted URC fixtures in the Southern Hemisphere can finally fade into the distance with a run of matches between SA sides and their European counterparts in the second half of the competition’s maiden season.

It’s now time to see the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions do their thing on home turf – and don’t miss the Irish derby between Ulster and Leinster while you’re at it.

Sharks vs Llanelli Scarlets

The Sharks are eyeing a push into the top half of the United Rugby Championship table as they go up against Llanelli Scarlets in Durban on Friday night.

Both sides were URC winners last time out.

Benetton were the Sharks’ victims two weeks ago as Sean Everitt’s side returned from Italy with a 29-7 victory, while the Welsh tourists warmed up for their trip to Kings Park with an outstanding, 35-10 win over Glasgow Warriors.

Friday 11 March, kick off 19:10 SAST.

Bulls vs Munster

It’s time to test the mettle of one of the United Rugby Championship’s top sides on Saturday, as Munster step out at Loftus Versfeld against the Bulls.

Shorn of several Irish internationals, the trek to Pretoria takes on an extra measure of malice for the tourists who come into the weekend sitting third in the URC table with a game in hand on Leinster and Ulster above them.

Their hosts enjoyed a boost to their position, not to mention their points difference, a fortnight ago as they pocketed a 45-7 success on their visit to Zebre.

Saturday 12 March, kick off 16:05 SAST.

Ulster vs Leinster

The top two in the United Rugby Championship collide for a mouthwatering Irish derby on Saturday night, as Ulster and Leinster do battle.

Four points is the difference at the URC summit as the Dublin-based leaders make the trip across the border to the Kingspan Stadium with first place in the standings very much at stake.

Both enjoyed comprehensive wins last weekend.

Leinster wiped the floor with Benetton 61-17 in Italy while Ulster weren’t far behind in recording a 48-12 victory over sorry Cardiff Blues in Belfast.

Saturday 12 March, kick off 21:35 SAST.

Lions vs Cardiff Blues

South Africa’s Lions are plotting a rare United Rugby Championship win on Sunday when they welcome Cardiff Blues to Emirates Airline Park.

The hosts are helped by both the altitude of Johannesburg and international call-ups for their European opponents.

But they still have work to do against the side that sit one place but six points ahead of them with two games in hand in the lower reaches of the URC table.

Cardiff were thrashed at Ulster last weekend, while the Lions fell to a 21-13 loss away to big boys Leinster.

Sunday 13 March, kick off 16:00 SAST.

Stormers vs Zebre

Expectations are high for the Stormers as they expect a return to winning ways in the United Rugby Championship at home to Zebre on Sunday.

Well almost at home, with the fixture being shifted from the imposing Cape Town Stadium to Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands thanks to a clash following the postponement of this clash late last year as Covid-19 reared its ugly head.

The home side were bitterly disappointed to come away from Connacht without victory a fortnight ago, while the Italians would be grateful for any points at all having lost eight from eight so far.

Sunday 13 March, kick off 18:05 SAST.