South African rugby’s “rude health” is exemplified by the Vodacom Bulls and Stormers reaching the URC playoffs despite great adversity this season, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane points to the consistency between these franchises across four URC seasons, particularly highlighting the Stormers securing fifth place in 2024-25 as well as Investec Champions Cup qualification next season.
John Dobson’s men faced a front-row crisis with stalwarts Steven Kitshoff and Brok Harris’ injury-forced retirements, two-time Springbok world champion Frans Malherbe’s limited availability and Neethling Fouche’s controversial suspension.
Further complications arose with playmakers Damian Willemse, Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missing significant portions of the campaign due to injury. Loose forwards Deon Fourie (knee) and Ben-Jason Dixon (wrist) have similarly been sidelined.
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The Bulls overcame their own injury concerns to secure a home quarter-final – and potential home semi-final – at Loftus, continuing their impressive URC record of three top-four finishes in four seasons.
According to Keohane, these performances, alongside the Sharks’ dramatic improvement and numerous Boks thriving in Japan, demonstrate South Africa’s current strength at all levels.
“It is said in South African rugby that when the Stormers and Bulls are strong then South African rugby is strong. Well, the good news is the game is in rude health in Cape Town and in Pretoria,” he writes.
“The Japanese league was never a consideration back in the day, but factor in big name World Cup-winning Springboks based there, and the South African game is even healthier.
“The Sharks this season are the biggest movers among the SA teams in the four year history of the league and the change of fortunes from last season’s 14th place finish to a top four is to be applauded.
“It is a damn fine effort for the Stormers to have ended fifth in those circumstances, as it has been from the Bulls, given the injuries they also had to leading players.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
