With just six rounds left to play, the Race to the Eight in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship is poised to deliver the most unpredictable battle for the playpffs in league history.
The URC era has set a new bar for competitive campaigns and with 15 teams fighting for just eight playoff places after 12 rounds, it means every single game will shape the path to this season’s Grand Final on 14 June.
The race is ON 🏎️
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 18, 2025
Over the next six rounds 16 teams will battle it out for a spot in the Play-Offs 👊
Strap yourself in and enjoy the #RaceToTheEight!@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/OLBt7xkegG
Incredibly, just four points separate Emirates Lions in eighth position and Zebre Parma in 15th while only eight points cover the gap between the Italian side and fifth placed Munster.
Beyond the regular season, the knockout stages have stepped up another level since the expansion to eight teams in 2021.
In that time the per centage of away wins (33 per cent) has risen (seven out of 21) – including two of the three Grand Finals won by the visiting team – so every champion has beaten the odds.
Currently, Leinster top the table with a perfect record of 12 wins from 12, but in the URC era the No 1 ranked team has yet to claim the trophy.
In 2022, DHL Stormers won from second place, in 2023, Munster’s incredible run saw them win from fifth position while Glasgow Warriors’ second-ever title came after finishing fourth in the table.
In addition to grabbing a place in the playoffs, teams are also in competition to see who will represent the URC in the Investec Champions Cup next season.
Last season saw all five countries from the URC represented through merit while as it stands in the top eight teams from Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are poised to qualify.
🔥 The #RaceToTheEight is ON! 🔥
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 17, 2025
The play-offs picture is changing every week... Who will rise in Round 13? 👀@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/WQudzOA9R9
THE RACE TO THE EIGHT
KEY POINTS:
- 15 teams still able to qualify for the playoffs
- Just four (4) points separate Zebre Parma (15th) and Emirates Lions (8th)
- Four teams tied on 28 points (Benetton, Stormers, Ospreys, Scarlets)
FORM GUIDE:
- Only Leinster and Zebre Parma have won their last three URC games in a row
- Six rounds remain with 48 games to play
- Top eight teams reach the playoffs and qualify for Champions Cup*
- Top four teams earn a home quarterfinal
URC ERA PLAYOFF FACTS:
Top ranked team yet to win the league
2022: Stormers (Rank No 2)
2023: Munster (5)
2024: Glasgow Warriors (4)
- Seven of the 21 playoff fixtures won by the away team (33 per cent)
- 11 of the 16 URC teams have reached the playoffs in the first three seasons
Ireland: Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster
Italy: Benetton
Scotland: Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh
South Africa: Stormers, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Vodacom Bulls
Wales: Ospreys
ROUND 13 FIXTURES
Glasgow Warriors (2) v Munster (5)
Cardiff Rugby (6) v Emirates Lions (8)
Hollywoodbets Sharks (4) v Zebre Parma (15)
Benetton (13) v Edinburgh (7)
Vodacom Bulls (3) v Leinster (1)
Scarlets (10) v DHL Stormers (12)
Dragons (16) v Ulster (14)
Ospreys (11) v Connacht (9)
The battles are set, the teams are ready... 💥
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 16, 2025
Which matchup are you most hyped for? 🔥🏉@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/vfueieyYMy