Six of the eight Vodacom URC quarter-finalists are coached by influential South Africans, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA.
Three South African clubs with local coaches – the Stormers, Vodacom Bulls and Lions – qualified for the playoffs, while another three overseas clubs are also led by South Africans.
FRANCO SMITH (Glasgow Warriors)
Log finish: 1st (65 points)
Played 18, Won 13, Lost 5
The 53-year-old guided Glasgow to a top-of-the-log finish, managing to overhaul the early pace-setting Stormers. The Warriors host eighth-placed Connacht at their Scotstoun fortress and are one of the favourites to lift the title. Smith has done it before, having coached Glasgow to URC glory in 2023-24.
JACQUES NIENABER (Leinster)
Log finish: 2nd (63 points)
Played 18, Won 12, Lost 6
Leinster and their senior coach are under pressure. A 41-19 dismantling at the hands of Bordeaux Bègles in the Investec Champions Cup decider in Bilbao will leave deep scars – the Irish giants conceded five tries to fall at the final hurdle for the fifth time in the past eight seasons. Sport psychologists around the world will watch closely to see how Leinster bounce back from this. Next up for the defending URC champions is a quarter-final clash against the Lions at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
MORE: Lions expect to face full-strength Leinster
JOHN DOBSON (Stormers)
Log finish: 3rd (60 points)
Played 18, Won 12, Drew 1, Lost 5
Dobson’s team started the season superbly, winning their first nine games. However, their next nine saw them lose five, draw one and only add three more victories. A poor finish to the regular season cost the Cape side top spot and saw them drop down to third. Dobson will hope to turn things around when it matters, starting with a quarter-final clash against Cardiff at Cape Town Stadium.
ALSO: How Stormers can host all-SA URC final
JOHAN ACKERMANN (Bulls)
Log finish: 4th (59 points)
Played 18, Won 12, Lost 6
Some might be inclined to call it the “Miracle of Loftus”. The Bulls started the season strongly, but between rounds five and nine lost five in a row – part of a seven-game losing streak which threatened to torpedo their entire season. The Pretoria-based side’s playoff hopes appeared over, but a nine-match winning streak saw them surge up the table to finish fourth. The prize is a home quarter-final against sixth-placed Munster. Can the Bulls make it to a fourth final in five years, and finally win it?
MORE: Bulls prepping for Loftus lottery
CORNIEL VAN ZYL (Cardiff)
Log finish: 6th (55 points)
Played 18, Won 11, Lost 7
The 47-year-old former Italy international is making a name as a coach with Cardiff, who reached the URC playoffs for the first time after a final-round win over the Stormers. The teams will meet again in the quarter-finals. But while Cardiff have dominated at home, winning eight and losing just one, they have to travel to Cape Town where they have never tasted success.
DOBBO: Cardiff’s desperation meant more
IVAN VAN ROOYEN (Lions)
Log finish: 7th (54 points)
Played 18, Won 10, Drew 1, Lost 7
The Lions have little to lose when they run out at the Aviva Stadium to face defending champions Leinster, having reached the URC playoffs for the first time and won the SA Shield. It was fine reward for a standout season for a young but maturing outfit. The Lions may have lost their two final games on tour to Leinster and Munster, but can produce a brand of rugby that can blow teams away.
MORE: Lions chasing more history in Dublin
Main photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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Six of the eight Vodacom URC quarter-finalists are coached by influential South Africans.
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