The weekend’s United Rugby Championship action didn’t get off to the best start for the South African team on Friday evening with the Glasgow Warriors beating the Sharks in Scotland.

Franco Smith’s chargers beat the Sharks 21-10 at the Scotstoun Stadium to bring the team from Durban’s recent unbeaten run to an end.

Meanwhile, on Saturday three matches will be contested in South Africa and the action gets underway in Johannesburg.

The Lions will be targeting against the URC leaders, Leinster, from Ireland as they seek to finish the competition within the top eight.

The Lions 8th-man, Francke Horn, who will be playing his 50th game for the team said it’s going to be a cracking game.

“I would just like to say to all the Joburg fans, please come out and support us. We always know when you guys are here in the stands, with all the noise you guys make for us.

“It’s definitely going to be a cracker of a game and we are looking forward to scoring some great tries for our fans.”

This game at Ellis Park kicks off at 15:00.

Over at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, South Africa’s best-placed team, the Bulls will be at home to the defending champions, Munster, from Ireland. The Irish visitors will be a tough challenge for the home side, and they will be fielding the Bulls-linked Springbok lock, RG Snyman.

The Munster flanker, John Hodnett, warned that the altitude and sheer size of the Bulls will make it a very tough challenge.

“It’s tough - your lungs will be burning pretty quickly,” said Hodnett.

“You just try and get used to it the best you can. It will definitely be a challenge, there’s no doubt about it. But we just have to get on with it.”

“It will be two really tough challenges here with the altitude and the heat, while the Bulls and the Lions are really good teams.

“They are hugely physical down here, they are all big men. Dealing with their physicality on the gain-line is one of the biggest things for us, while they have a lot of speed out wide as well.”

This game in the capital city kicks off at 17:05.

The Stormers in turn will be at home to the Welsh outfit, the Ospreys at the Cape Town Stadium. This is a must win game for the Stormers, while the team from Swansea will be fielding three Toyota Cheetahs players. The captain, Victor Sekekete is in the starting XV at lock, while Jeandré Rudolph and Evardi Boshoff have been named on the bench.

This match in the Mother City kicks off at 19:05.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport