With the second season of the United Rugby Championship getting underway this weekend, we take a look at some of the competition’s front-runners.
The Contenders
DHL Stormers 10/1
Last season’s champions will again be there or thereabouts, especially in the battle for the SA Shield. However, not unlike the rest of the URC’s strongest sides, their squad strength may become their greatest hindrance considering the amount of rugby on the plates of their top internationals.
In fact, it remains to be seen just how much game time the Springboks will get for their franchises for the remainder of 2022 with the Rugby Championship ongoing and year-end Tests still to come.
Still, the self-belief amongst the players and the acquisition of Joseph Dweba will be big boons for the side – even with the departure of Warrick Gelant to Racing 92.
Leinster 11/20
Leinster will always be on lists like this, with probably the craziest squad depth of any club side on the planet. Despite the fact that Leo Cullen’s Ireland internationals barely play in the competition (and are instead mainly utilized in the Champions Cup), the men from Dublin will always have a say at the business end of a season.
That won’t change here, with the loss of retiring legends Devin Toner and Sean Cronin offset with the signings of experienced duo Charlie Ngatai and Jason Jenkins.
Vodacom Bulls 12/1
The signings of Sbu Nkosi and Wandisile Simelane are bound to add value to Jake White’s side, who will be out to go all the way this season following their runner-up finish last time out.
With a squad that won’t be as affected by Springbok call-ups as the Stormers and Sharks, there’s good reason to believe the Pretoria Boys will be right up there again this season.
The return of a fit-again Johan Goosen will also be crucial.
Cell C Sharks 9/1
The Durbanites have made some shrewd signings of late, with Eben Etzebeth, Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Vincent Tshituka all making their way to the Shark Tank. Neil Powell’s arrival as new director of rugby should also give the union a big boost and serve to better align every team within the structure of the organisation.
If they can work on their finishing and make better use of their talented backs, they’ll be right up there.
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The Possibles
Munster 15/2
Munster always seem to head into the new season with plenty of promise but struggle to make the most of it – having last won a championship in 2011.
The Red Army boasts an impressive squad of players, with Malakai Fekitoa brought in to offset the exit of Damian de Allende, while top Ireland internationals Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony and Keith Earls will again have important roles to play.
Graham Rowntree has taken over the coaching reins from Johann van Graan, with the 51-year former Leicester Tiger looking to bring something different to Thomond Park. While they don’t look likely to challenge for the title, they could yet surprise.
Ulster 10/1
Ulster under Dan McFarland have been a formidable unit, consistently challenging in the latter stages of campaigns and finishing as runners-up in 2020.
Despite traditionally taking a back seat to Leinster and Munster, the Northern Irish club consistently punch above their weight and last season came within a whisker of another Grand Final appearance.
They’ll be in the playoff bracket again this season.
The Dark Horses
Connacht 66/1
Connacht are a notoriously tricky team to come up against and will be as hard-nosed as ever this season. Despite an 11th-place finish last time out, they are always a nightmare to face and should collect a few more scalps during their campaign, having beaten the likes of the Stormers, Munster and Ulster in 2021-22.
While Connacht are admittedly a long shot, with either of the Scottish clubs also meeting the “dark horse” criteria, the fact that they won’t be affected by too many international call-ups works in their favour.
