Updated URC log after round two, Sharks lead the way

The Sharks and Lions were victorious in their second round home clashes in the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday, but unfortunately the travelling Stormers and Bulls both came up short in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Capetonians lost 17-13 to Edinburgh in Scotland on Friday night, with a misfiring lineout in windy conditions not helping their cause.

On Saturday, the Lions beat the Ospreys by 35-19 in Johannesburg, before the Sharks edged Leinster, the defending champions, by 26-20 in Durban to move to the top of the log.

In the final game of the second round, the Bulls went down 26-22 to Munster in Limerick.

The KwaZulu-Natalians have a perfect 10 points after their first two home games, while the men from Johannesburg are in third place on nine points, the same as Cardiff and Edinburgh.

The teams from Pretoria and Cape Town, who return to South Africa after two games on the road, are both on six points in seventh and eighth positions on the log – the same as Musnter in ninth – as the four South African sides prepare for a derby round next Saturday.

HOW THE URC LOG LOOKS

Pos	Team	PTS	PL	W	D	L	BP	PF	PA	DIFF
1	Sharks	10	2	2	0	0	2	67	44	+23
2	Cardiff	9	2	2	0	0	1	61	42	+19
3	Lions	9	2	2	0	0	1	62	45	+17
4	Edinburgh	9	2	2	0	0	1	51	42	+9
5	Glasgow	8	2	1	1	0	2	59	53	+6
6	Dragons	7	2	1	1	0	1	57	45	+12
7	Bulls	6	2	1	0	1	2	69	39	+30
8	Storm- ers	6	2	1	0	1	2	42	32	+10
9	Munster	6	2	1	0	1	2	46	48	-2
10	Connac-ht	5	2	1	0	1	1	37	48	-11
11	Ulster	5	2	0	1	1	3	62	67	-5
12	Benett-on	3	2	0	1	1	1	38	41	-3
13	Leinster	3	2	0	0	2	3	46	53	-7
14	Scarlets	2	2	0	0	2	2	41	59	-18
15	Ospreys	1	2	0	0	2	1	43	76	-33
16	Zebre	1	2	0	0	2	1	40	87	-47

statement performance from the Sharks

After Saturday’s game against Leinster, Sharks coach JP Pietersen hailed the team effort, as well as the impact of several returning Springboks for this blockbuster URC battle.

“To win against the champions, against Leinster, it’s really special. To get five points, it’s really special,” the ex-Bok told reporters post-match at Kings Park. 

“We’ll enjoy tonight. I don’t think you get it but I’m still processing; you can see I’m stuttering. I’m still processing that we won two [matches] and 10 points. So, ja, it’s just unreal scenes today.

“I was quite nervous (about the returning Boks) before the game,” Pietersen added. “We had only one training session with them on Thursday, but it showed their eliteness and how good they are as players and professionals. 

“We needed an injection after Leinster scored, so Eben was outstanding with that transition try. André scored, I don’t even know what was happening, and then Edwill finished it off with the intercept try. 

“It just shows what they bring. And the rest of the group is all about doing the right thing, letting the system work, and letting the Springboks just do their thing when they need to.”