Weekend fixture guide: URC round 2 and Egypt v Bafana, with SAST kick-off times

Weekend fixture guide at a glance

This weekend fixture guide covers five games that matter to South African fans between Friday 2 and Sunday 4 October 2026. All four of our United Rugby Championship (URC) sides won in round 1, three of them with bonus points, and now two head north while two stay home. On Sunday night, Bafana Bafana close their international window with a friendly against Egypt in Cairo. Kick-off times below are in South African Standard Time (SAST) and were checked against the 2026/27 URC fixture list and current match previews.

SuperSport holds the URC rights in South Africa for the 2026/27 season, according to Rugby World. The SABC Sport listing for the Bafana match was reported by Briefly News on 1 October. Match-day squads for the URC games were not yet published when this guide went live on Thursday morning, so check team sheets before kick-off.

Edinburgh v Stormers: Friday night at Hive Stadium

The Stormers opened their campaign with a 29-15 bonus-point win over Connacht in Galway, as IOL reported. It came at a cost. According to IOL on 29 September, No 8 Evan Roos (hamstring) and loose forward Marcel Theunissen (calf) have been sent home, while utility forward Ben-Jason Dixon was still being monitored for concussion symptoms.

That back-row shortage puts the spotlight on Siya Kolisi, who is training with the squad in the United Kingdom. Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani would not confirm his involvement, telling SA Rugby Mag that the match-day 23 “will be released on Thursday.” Hacjivah Dayimani described Kolisi’s arrival in camp as “super cool”.

Edinburgh are no pushovers. Sean Everitt’s side won 34-29 away to Ulster in round 1, and this is their first home game of the season, as Edinburgh Rugby confirmed. The club notes that Edinburgh won 38-7 at Hive Stadium in October 2024, while the Stormers won the most recent meeting 33-14 in Cape Town in March. Everitt told SA Rugby Mag that “one thing we need to work on is the consistency of our performances from week to week.”

What to watch: how a reshuffled Stormers loose trio copes at the breakdown away from home, and whether Kolisi features.

Lions v Ospreys: an early Saturday start in Johannesburg

The Lions return to 10bet Ellis Park after edging defending champions Leinster 27-26 in round 1, the only South African winner who missed out on a bonus point. Springbok loosehead Boan Venter made his Lions debut in that match, as IOL reported.

Coach Ivan van Rooyen called the Leinster game “a very physical game”, and captain Francke Horn said there were “things to work on”, according to The Citizen. The same report notes how even this fixture has been: over five years the sides have split seven meetings, each with two home wins and one away win, plus a 24-all draw in January 2026.

The Ospreys arrive on the second leg of their South African trip after a 41-24 loss in Durban, still chasing a first win of the season. They head home to face the Dragons on 9 October, according to the Ospreys fixture announcement.

What to watch: the 13:45 kick-off means daytime Highveld conditions, which suit a Lions pack that wants to play at tempo against tired legs.

Sharks v Leinster: the champions come to Durban

The Sharks host Leinster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park at 18:30, a fixture defence coach Joey Mongalo called “the ultimate benchmark” of the franchise’s progress, as IOL reported. The Sharks beat the Ospreys 41-24 with a bonus point last week but conceded four tries. “Even when a team scores one try against you, it really hurt, so you can imagine how four tries hurt,” Mongalo said.

Co-captain Phepsi Buthelezi said the loose forwards want to “match fire with fire” against Leinster’s back row. Fullback Luan Giliomee, 20, scored twice against the Ospreys, and coach JP Pietersen told the Irish Times: “He’s an exceptional talent. You can see what he’s got. He understands the game, he understands space.”

Leinster, beaten by a point in Johannesburg, will be without loose forward Max Deegan and flyhalf Harry Byrne, both following return-to-play protocols after concussions, according to SA Rugby Mag. Leinster’s staff also includes former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, whom Mongalo called one of the “godfathers of defence”.

What to watch: whether the Sharks can slow Leinster’s ruck speed. Mongalo admitted “it’s hard to defend against quick ball”.

Munster v Bulls: the late show at Thomond Park

The Bulls opened with a 47-13 bonus-point win over Zebre in Parma, despite missing several Springboks. Curwin Bosch impressed on debut at flyhalf, standing in for the injured Handré Pollard. Coach Johan Ackermann said Bosch “controlled the game well” and “kicked very well out of hand”, but warned that “our scrumming can get better”, calling it “a big work-on for us”, as IOL reported.

Marcell Coetzee captains the touring squad, while scrumhalf Embrose Papier missed the trip with an ankle injury, according to SA Rugby Mag.

Munster will be stung. They led Glasgow Warriors 17-7 at half-time at Thomond Park last week but lost 26-20, with Glasgow taking a bonus point, as the Limerick Leader reported.

What to watch: the set piece. If the Bulls scrum holds firm, Bosch’s boot gives them a route to points in Limerick.

Egypt v Bafana Bafana: a big test in Cairo

Bafana Bafana arrive in high spirits. Pitso Mosimane’s side beat Guinea 2-1 at Orlando Stadium on 26 September, with goals from Ime Okon and Samukele Kabini, according to SAFA. They then crushed Eritrea 5-0 in Cairo on 30 September. Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice, with Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and Luther Singh also on target, as SAFA reported. That is six points from two AFCON 2027 qualifiers in Group D, alongside Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea.

The squad is stretched. Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba were ruled out of the Eritrea qualifier with injuries, and Bathusi Aubaas went off in the 16th minute against Eritrea, replaced by Brooklyn Poggenpoel. Mosimane said of the Eritrea win: “It was a good performance from our boys and they showed respect also.”

The friendly kicks off at 20:00 SAST at Cairo International Stadium, as SAFA confirmed. Egypt won the last meeting 1-0 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on 26 December 2025, although Bafana lead the overall record with eight wins to five in 15 meetings since 1995, according to EWN. “Egypt are also a big gun. It’s important to face the big guns,” Mosimane said.

What to watch: how Mosimane manages tired legs after two qualifiers, and who fills the gaps left by Mokoena and Modiba.

Frequently asked questions

What time do the Stormers play Edinburgh this weekend?

The Stormers play Edinburgh on Friday 2 October 2026 at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh. Kick-off is 19:45 in the United Kingdom, which is 20:45 SAST. The match is part of URC round 2 and will be shown live on SuperSport in South Africa. Check the Stormers’ team announcement for news on Siya Kolisi and the injured loose forwards.

When and where do the Lions play the Ospreys?

The Lions host the Ospreys on Saturday 3 October 2026 at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, with kick-off at 13:45 SAST. It is the first of three URC matches involving South African teams on Saturday. The Lions beat Leinster 27-26 in round 1, while the Ospreys lost 41-24 to the Sharks and are still looking for their first win.

What time is Sharks v Leinster on Saturday?

Sharks v Leinster kicks off at 18:30 SAST on Saturday 3 October 2026 at Kings Park, Durban. Leinster are the defending URC champions but lost their opening game to the Lions. The Sharks won their first match 41-24 against the Ospreys with a bonus point, so both sides come in with something to prove. SuperSport will broadcast the game live.

What time do the Bulls play Munster in Limerick?

The Bulls play Munster at Thomond Park in Limerick on Saturday 3 October 2026. Kick-off is 19:45 Irish time, which is 20:45 SAST, making it the last South African URC match of the weekend. The Bulls won 47-13 against Zebre in round 1, while Munster lost 26-20 at home to Glasgow Warriors. SuperSport carries the match in South Africa.

What time is Egypt v Bafana Bafana and where can I watch?

Egypt v South Africa is an international friendly on Sunday 4 October 2026 at Cairo International Stadium. SAFA has confirmed kick-off at 20:00 South African time. SABC Sport was reported as the broadcaster, with streaming on SABC Plus. Bafana come into the game after beating Guinea 2-1 and Eritrea 5-0 in their opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

Sources used

• https://www.planetrugby.com/news/full-2026-27-united-rugby-championship-fixtures-confirmed-as-munster-and-glasgow-warriors-set-for-blockbuster-opening-round-clash (checked 05:20 SAST): 2026/27 round 2 fixtures, venues, kick-offs
• https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/09/22/urc-fixtures-list-leinster-start-campaign-with-a-trip-to-south-africa/ (checked 05:22 SAST): cross-check of round 2 dates and times
• https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/urc/2026-09-28-stormers-bulls-sharks-and-lions-bid-to-keep-perfect-urc-starts-rolling/ (checked 05:24 SAST): round 1 results, Stormers 20:45 SAST
• https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/urc/2026-09-29-super-cool-siya-kolisi-provides-instant-lift-as-injury-hit-stormers-prepare-for-edinburgh-test/ (checked 05:26 SAST): Stormers injuries, Kolisi, Dayimani
• https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/rito-excited-coy-siyas-role/ (checked 05:28 SAST): Hlungwani on team release
• https://edinburghrugby.org/news-and-features/edinburgh-to-host-dhl-stormers-in-first-home-match-of-2026-27/ (checked 05:30 SAST): date, 19:45 UK kick-off, head-to-head
• https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/everitt-demands-edinburgh/ (checked 05:32 SAST): Edinburgh 34-29 Ulster, Everitt quote
• https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/2026-09-24-springbok-venter-gets-immediate-lions-baptism-against-leinster-in-ellis-park-opener/ (checked 05:34 SAST): Venter debut
• https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/lions-must-improve-urc-ospreys/ (checked 05:36 SAST): Van Rooyen and Horn quotes, head-to-head
• https://www.ospreysrugby.com/news/2627-bkt-urc-fixtures-annouced-st-helens (checked 05:38 SAST): 13:45 SA kick-off, Ospreys next fixture
• https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/urc/2026-09-29-sharks-prepare-to-fight-fire-with-fire-in-ultimate-urc-test-against-leinster/ (checked 05:40 SAST): 18:30 kick-off, Mongalo and Buthelezi quotes
• https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/09/30/leinster-enter-the-shark-tank-needing-a-plan-to-deal-with-luan-giliomee/ (checked 05:42 SAST): Giliomee, Pietersen quote
• https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/leinster-tackle-sharks-without-stars/ (checked 05:44 SAST): Deegan and Byrne out
• https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/urc/2026-09-27-ackermann-keeps-feet-on-the-ground-as-bulls-turn-focus-to-munster/ (checked 05:46 SAST): Bulls 47-13, Bosch, Ackermann quotes
• https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/bosch-back-for-bulls/ (checked 05:48 SAST): Coetzee captain, Papier injury
• https://www.limerickleader.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/munster-rugby-downed-by-glasgow-warriors-in-united-rugby-championship-9192057 (checked 05:50 SAST): Munster 20-26 Glasgow
• https://www.rugbyworld.com/how-to-watch/urc-rugby-2026-27-185707 (checked 05:52 SAST): SuperSport rights
• https://www.safa.net/general-news/43434/ (checked 05:54 SAST): Bafana 2-1 Guinea
• https://www.safa.net/general-news/clinical-bafana-put-eritrea-to-the-sword-in-cairo/ (checked 05:56 SAST): Bafana 5-0 Eritrea, Aubaas off, Mosimane quote
• https://www.safa.net/general-news/bafana-bafana-to-face-egypt-in-international-friendly/ (checked 05:58 SAST): Egypt friendly, 20:00 SA kick-off
• https://ewn.co.za/2026/09/03/pitso-mosimane-s-bafana-set-for-egypt-showdown-in-cairo (checked 06:00 SAST): head-to-head
• https://briefly.co.za/sports/football/254710-egypt-bafana-bafana-kick-time-tv-channel-how-watch/ (checked 06:02 SAST): SABC Sport, SABC Plus, “big guns” quote