With the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship season fast approaching, we pick out the five teams in the competition we believe are most likely to be there on Grand Final day.
Hollywoodbets Sharks
2024/25 finish: Semi-finalists; third-place on the log
Player to watch: Vincent Tshituka
Coach: John Plumtree
Captain: Eben Etzebeth
Heading into their third campaign on John Plumtree’s return to the Shark Tank, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will be a much more settled side looking to improve on their semi-final finish of last season. While the SA Shield winners showed significant progress to finish in third overall, such is the calibre of their squad when at full strength that some feel they should be challenging for at least a spot in the top two, and that should be the goal of the men in black and white in 2025/25.
The tactic of exposing a number of their youngsters to the Currie Cup under JP Pietersen could prove to be a masterstroke in building quality squad depth, with players like Batho Hlekani, Simphiwe Ngobese and Matt Romao set to add tangible impact if called upon while the franchise’s Boks are absent during the first part of the season. If the players can all buy into and execute a clear game plan, they will be a major title threat.
Leinster
2024/25 finish: Champions; first-place on the log
Player to watch: Rieko Ioane
Coach: Leo Cullen
Captain: Caelan Doris
Leinster finally got over the line in the URC last season, ending their four-year-long trophy drought and silencing some of their ever-present critics by producing a stunning Grand Final performance in Dublin to clobber the Bulls 32-7. As always, much will be expected of them heading into a new season in which they will be aiming not only to defend their URC crown, but to continue their pursuit of that elusive fifth European Cup star.
The club’s signing of Rieko Ioane is a massive statement of intent, and although he isn’t a like-for-like replacement for cult hero Jordie Barrett, who has returned to Wellington with the Hurricanes, Leo Cullen will be hoping the 86-Test cap centre-cum-winger can provide the same kind of impact at the squad as Barrett did last term.
Stormers
2024/25 finish: Quarterfinalists; fifth-place on the log
Player to watch: Ntuthuko Mchunu
Coach: John Dobson
Captain: Salmaan Moerat
All jokes aside, there is a real sense that a storm is brewing in Cape Town. After a season plagued by injuries, the competition’s inaugural champions will be hungrier than ever to right some wrongs and genuinely compete for a home playoff spot once more. Considering the crisis John Dobson had to deal with last term, with players dropping like flies, it’s a wonder they managed to finish as high as fifth and the heartache of their last eight exit in Glasgow should be a big catalyst for another assault on the title.
The franchise’s massive rebranding in the lead up to the new season has only added a feeling of reinvigoration on the west coast, and that coupled with the side’s trademark tenacity under Dobson will put them right in the mix.
Bulls
2024/25 finish: Second-place on the log; runners-up
Player to watch: Handre Pollard
Coach: Johan Ackermann
Captain: Ruan Nortje
It’s difficult knowing exactly what to expect from the Bulls this season following the departure of Jake White, and while it would be easy to right off their upcoming campaign as a “transition period”, the reality seems very different. Johan Ackermann brings a wealth of experience to the role of head coach, while the return of the likes of former captain Handre Pollard, Jan Serfontein and Kurt-Lee Arendse in an already settled squad means they will be eyeing a fourth Grand Final appearance.
If they stick to their established Bulls DNA and can harness some newfound self-belief from the experienced coach Akkies, there may not be any let up from arguably South Africa’s most consistent URC side.
Glasgow Warriors
2024/25 finish: Semi-finalists; fourth-place on the log
Player to watch: Johnny Matthews
Coach: Franco Smith
Captain: Kyle Steyn
Franco Smith’s decision to extend his stay at the Scotstoun until 2028 following Gregor Townsend’s new Scotland deal is a positive sign for Warriors ahead of the new season. There aren’t many coaches of Smith’s ilk available, and what he has achieved in Glasgow has already granted him legendary status at the club, but the team’s performances this season will be as crucial as ever as he seeks to maintain their standing as a regular feature in the competition’s top four.
With several rivals, chief among them bitter foes Edinburgh, threatening to usurp Glasgow this term, the 2024 winners face another huge psychological test if they truly wish to remain amongst the tournament’s elite.
