There were moments when the crowd went comlpletely silent. Never seen this before.

yawn

I didn't upvote.

@@johnmc3862 Tough.

Yes meneer that's what we love to see. That's what rugby is about

Deserved winners, and the reaping of what the IRFU have sowed for the last 15 years.

The all blacks and wallaby success rate against the boks went up exponentially when they started playing and touring against the SA club sides. I suspect the same will happen for Ireland. The physicality of the boks and playing on the highveld becomes more of a norm.

@@mthabitX or SA success rate was because they faced NZ and Aus teams alot before.

@@fabiov8412 that's exactly what I am saying. Each club side played each other roughly 2 times a year. Four teams in a conference so that's what - 8 games against another country's club sides? Getting used to travel, playing at altitude, heat, and physicality. When the internationals roll around it's not that big of a shock playing in SA, and vice versa.

@@mthabitX i agree this could be good for Irish rugby - especially heading into the world cup next year

I don't think the South Africans would've gotten their house in order without that thumping in Italy😄. We needed to be humbled before we could improve

@@privatebaldric8767 Also i'm sure South African fans were happy it was an Italian team of all teams, since it means it could inspire further development for them

Super Rugby was far better though. It's sad the Pacific nations did us shit

@@yamkelasaleni4742 Super Rugby lost its spark a bit. It also wasn't favourable for SA teams. At least this in the same/similar time zone.

@@yamkelasaleni4742 Honestly you have a very valid point! I think the issues for the SA clubs in Super Rugby started in 2011 after Bulls won 3 out of 4 titles, I think the problems began there. But this is good for SA clubs to rebuild and strengthen! It’s good competition!

@@yamkelasaleni4742 na, the last 10 years of super rugby were rubbish. This format is way more beneficial for SA teams.

@@elijahtchilembe-mpovie2715 "Brilliant idea" Not at all, it was all for the organisers to get money and help SA as no one wanted you

Hard luck mate. This has not been a good few weeks for Leinster but that is playoff rugby for you. As a Bulls supporter I didn't think we had much of a chance but the boys really delivered. Leinster is still the team to beat in Europe as far as I am concerned. This URC has been awesome to watch so far. I can't remember the last time I watched a rugby competition where you have the last round before the playoffs and only one team know where they are going to finish and the seven other teams still have to be sorted. We will have to see how playing in the URC, Heineken Cup and Currie Cup is going to work for the SA teams next year. I also think playing in our summer is a big advantage for our teams because our summers are brutal. The European teams will have to find a way around that. I am actually surprised nobody has mentioned it yet. The time of day that the URC games are played is also much better for SA rugby fans. You can go and watch a school game come home grab a bottle of wine a steak, light the fire and get ready for a braai and rugby, nothing better in the world. If you ever get the chance to visit SA do come. It is cheap as anything for you guys, summy weather, beautiful beaches and awesome wildlife. Bottle of good wine is around €6 a beer less than €1 and a one pound steak €5. Good luck to you and your team.

Certainly no complaints. Finally a chance for Leinster and the IRFU to have a taste of their own medicine.

Finally the bulls got their line out game well, really helped us against such a team

I suspect the players aren't the issue. Leinster's system (incredible as it is) doesn't really allow their individually talented players to improvise when needed. If the structures are too rigid and even one team figures out how to nerf them, it doesn't matter who is on the field.

Cullen is the one that has been coasting with an easy job and a team that basically wins by itself

haha good one

Pressure cooker rugby is what they've been lacking. The Top 14 is always nice and competitive and anything can happen in the Premiership. Some genuine adversity is required to force improvement. (Just look at the the difference between the Bulls in Treviso last year and the Bulls now)

This is part of the reason why the Saffas, Ozzies and Kiwis consistently remained at the top for the last 2 decades. Argentina also started to become a force over the last 5 years or so once they were roped into the SH comps.

The bookies are drunk leister never had a chance

@@Mimeniia LOL argentina 😂 they were better between 2007 and 2015 than now

Jake White knows how to win but you shouldn't treat Leinster like they are some star studded team. Their level is inflated due to several reasons. This is not the shock result some people might think it is.

@@Mr___Xim not shocked at all. Our teams are far from at there best yet. A fully developed bulls team playing at a packed loftus. They still dont know whats coming..

@@Mr___X I think a club that has won the second most European Cups must have something. They play an awesome style of rugby. If I can't rate them then I can't rate any South African side except the Bulls. They have so many Irish internationals in their team and that has to count for something. Looking at how they brought a bunch of youngsters to South Africa and gave the Skarks and Stormers a run for their money was impressive.

@@bulkoutloader2550 I would be amazed if Loftus is ever full for a URC game. This comp is finished, you're just here for the encore.

@@wlk2408 They have gamed the system better than anyone else in rugby, that's all.

I have a feeling it will become boring again. Except this time the SA teams winning it consistently...

@@alexandernoussis1943 i dont think so, these Irish sides are top quality, beating them once is just a start, cant say too much as to what the future of the URC holds yet

@@hraklispapageorgiou6926 I think you're underestimating how good South Africa are at rugby

@@alexandernoussis1943 I wouldn't be surprised with it . Because the Welsh, Scottish and Italian are average. Plus the Irish teams need to short out how to deal with physical sides

Us Saffers are just happy to play in this league. Hopefully in time, it will benefit the UK teams across the board as well as our SA teams. We were unappreciated in the Super competitions, where Aus and especially NZ always made sure that the odds were stacked against us wrt traveling, number of games away etc. We feel welcome in this league and can now get on with the game, which is all we really want.

Yes, what the Celtic League needs is...errr, Africa?

A few big names are starting to trickle into the URC, some All Blacks and Springboks have been signed from English and French teams for next season. The URC could become just as competitive as the other two in the next few years.

@@Mr___X Let me guess...Welsh fan?

@@nowelaZA not a hope ahahahah

@@Mr___X what it needs is good teams fighting for a worthwhile prize. Africa is definitely part off that. I'd love a second division with teams from the likes of S.A., Namibia, Kenya, Spain, Portugal, Georgia and Wales.

You need to go to an English club game mate, just as much respect there. Don't be so pathetic with assuming there isn't. England bashing isn't funny or cleaver, it's just bitter!

@@jbee9713 how would there be bitterness,32 -12 is sweet as a nut.Nick Mallett refused to contemplzte the England job cos of the sort of character you get in england squads. Thats the reason we cleaned your pipes mate

Inderdaad

This is exactly what Leinster need, too often over the past decade they have been ambushed in Europe by bigger more physical sides. The SA sides will give them more exposure to this and should make them stronger. In turn the South African teams will get more exposure to the NH style of play which will help them in Europe. Iron sharpens iron

See how it goes when you try to enter the Six Nations.

@@Mr___X Dunno wtf you're on about but we don't have to deal with food poisoning, steroids and all the other childish sh1te while in return we catch the same accusers with sandpaper in cricket and sending each other emails to get the Japies in rugby and never an apology when they got caught. It's great. We deal with nicer people for more money and less travel.

@@Mr___X South Africans don't want that either

Yeah we sa teams embraced them aswell ......... Whatever..

@@craiggoodwin7556 haha yeah, pretty strange generalisation it was

Be no exaggeration to say the inclusion of the best SA teams has saved the competition - it was literally dying on its feet a year ago!

The final will be all out war! Cant wait.

The URC is a zombie comp. It's like the boobie prize in world rugby.

@@Mr___X rubbish

@@Mr___X So what are the competitions in rugby that you rate higher?

​​@@wlk2408 top 14 is obviously the best right now, the top 5 is can all win the champions cup.

@@wlk2408 Top 14 won the race, France suffered for the last 10 years for them to win it. English Prem and current Super Rugby all significantly better. After that, I think the Japanese and American leagues are more entertaining/have more growth potential. The URC is literally over, it is like Super Rugby when it was coming to an end, a new format and new teams every year just to try to prevent the inevitable.

Well not a current one anyway

We should give Jake White as the head coach of the Bulls some credit, same as John Dobson at the Stormers. Both coached fairly unknown players into 2 formidable teams.

@@tiniebergh5124 true

That statement isn't so accurate. Cornal Hendriks, Marcel Coetzee and Arno Botha. all 3 starters all 3 Capped Springboks. But I do agree good to see more younger lads making it this far.

@@angrybirds7083 thanks for that info😊💚💛✌🇿🇦

Hopefully this new energy in the competition will lift the Welsh teams a bit… looking forward to the upcoming series againt you guys, we know it will be tough as the Welsh national team is top quality and play canny rugby.

I love that our brothers and sisters from the North welcomed the SA teams into the comp. Though I was sad to see the culture and rivalry of SR go, I've enjoyed the tournament immensely. I've got a huge soft spot for Ireland and this just gives me an excuse to visit that beautiful country and its awesome people who stole a piece of heart 17 years ago again. Didn't expect this win against Leinster, but the Bulls, and Jake, made me so proud with how far they've come this season. I want to go watch at least one game in Wales, Scotland and Ireland next season. Best of luck to Wales. You lads just keep England in check and I'll be happy 🤣

Yes, the Celtic League is just GREAT for Welsh rugby. What a super comp!

The rising tide lifts all boats

If this SA-in-Europe venture is a long term thing, you will quickly learn that Leinster's success should come with an asterix. It is overachievement of the highest sort. Ireland's performances at RWCs is more reflective of their abilities. SA shouldn't be too worried, they are comfortable favourites. Only 2 or 3 other teams look like challenging them.

@@Mr___X Still tho, Heineken Cup could bring some interesting new thrills. Bulls vs Stade or Montpelier could bring some interesting reunions?

@@privatebaldric8767 Irrelevant. SA is not in Europe.

@@nay8991 with that draw yes

Lol. Touche

Only problem now there is no excuse to crack a beer at 8am : (

It was a masterstroke for South africa's Rugby, but not for Irish and, above all Welsh and Scottish ones. Even a blind could see that southern hemisphere franchises had more skills and more young players from witch they could draft future champions. As a matter of fact, season 2021-2022 saw a final between two SA franchises. And I bet that this is what we are going to see in the future

Throwing shade at the sharks 😂😂

Comment section winner

Comments section winner indeed. You take the trophy

nope - Sharks won knockout stages away a number of times in SR, only to be shaded in final or semi

Totally agree

zombie league, there can be no resurrection

He may be around in 2033 too !!

1869.

Matt Williams is an utter knob

Man can't have hopes? He didn't guarantee

Lock him up! How is he still a free man

All they care about is waving flags and talking about tracker mortgages

@@natwestrowleymile gas

Glad to see the the brumbies giving a fight. I would love to see Leinster vs Blues. For me those are prob still the 2 best sides in the world atm

Yea definitely, it’s great to see Australian rugby making a comeback and being competitive again. We have a few debutants named for the tests against Ireland so it’s gonna be a tough 1st cap for them lol will be a great season tho

Awesome stuff - genuinely chuffed for the Blues, I remember the battles they used to have with my Sharks at the start of SR 12 etc. Will be shouting for the Blues on finals day!

Am a South African too buddy. But I ask you to be humble about it your words when it cones to super rugby. Lets be happy that we are playing in a league that has given us a level playing field and that we have better chance now of having our players playing at home. But let's not do that by mentioning super rugby. Southern Hemisphere teams have always been good even when you think they are not. We lost to Australia twice when we thought we were going to go through them. Even when we were there super rugby was still best tournament quality wise. Its the Europeans that lied and said its not the best. So don't be deceived into thinking that. Even in Sevens southern hemisphere teams dominate. Eg Blitzboks , Fiji, NZ. So Fiji in Super rugby doesn't make them week.

Super rugby has been great this year actually. But URC is definitely the future 👌🏽

Absolutely spot on! I do miss our southern cousins but 5 week tours for our teams across multiple time zones was grueling for players & fans alike. Felt like the roster disadvantaged Saffa sides. Absolutely loving the transition.

Why?

@@fomofud9479 because the bulls have a quarter of leinsters budget if even and the team has only been together for 6 months, haven't played proper rugby since covid started. They also made sure leinster didn't even make it to the final which hasn't happened in a pretty long time

@@sunlightliquid8420 only been together 6 months? What nonsense are you on about?

@@fomofud9479 cant improve if we're gonna coast along every season winning every game with our c team

You might look back and regret this when it becomes a habit.

typical toxic and arrogant SA, slagging and attacking other teams. Shame the minority trolls give the majority of SA fans a bad image

@@vipiccb6896 He didn't "attack" anyone. He stated facts. There is no Welsh team in the top 8, hence they struggled, stop being salty.

@@muppet50yago36 no you fool, my comment is NOT directed at "Justin A" I'm agreeing with him, describing the toxic SA fans in the comments! It's a shame that the minority of SA fans are toxic, but give the majority a bad name

@@muppet50yago36 "stop being salty" How is it salty to agree with him? Maybe learn English so you can read better

That's why beating them is so much sweeter.

yeah - but I noticed there still were several slips when trying to sprint into position at different times

Lets be fair bud, our commentators are not much different when they are commentating for the Boks. And I thought the commentator was pretty good.

Yeah was just about to say. sa commentators are the worst when it comes to knowledge of the opposing teams and showing excitement for them

Also saw that article 😆

That was hilarious 😂

Link?

@@Nellyspence kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hJ9hjKuat7fWgnk.html

@Professor Moriarty - the SA sides will find the 'travel' a cake-walk compared to Super Rugby's expedition across multiple time zones. This is like a quick trip up the road. Far better.

Irish rugby managers believe that if they invite a strong team, even the others will become stronger. Generally speaking, it is not always true, because skills are not automatically transferred from one franchise to another. South Africa has got more young physically strong guys 15- 27 yeras old than the entire Irish population. How could they suppose that Irish Rugby could compete with South African one? I would have invited only ONE SA team, made up by players NOT WANTED by other Franchises in Super Rugby

Too bad they left super rugby cause they were getting smashed by NZ teams and Aus teams 😂 they never make the super rugby finals thats why they left scared. Thats 2nd division teams there playing 😴 😂

It was in Ireland.

Forget Super Rugby this is a completely new and different competition.

@@bravestarr1797 thanks to the SA team

Super rugby was crap since the conference systems was introduced. The best super rugby was s12. Strength vs strength. Post that the quality and standards just dropped. It became a zombie competition that guaranteed finalist from each country. The full logs became meaningless the last few years. It hemorrhage viewership the last few years. It also skewed more in favor of the pacific sides for traveling with the addition of more sides sadly. Ad well as weakened the standards, many players left for European competition instead. SR tried tapping new Japanese markets it lost faithful fans as it became more watered down with weaker teams being added. Its failure was inevitable. The current pacific super rugby competition is a great show piece, but one will have to see in the long term if its financially sustainable once the silverlake once off cash input period is over. The money for unions and teams is brought in by television rights, which Australia and the pacific sides besides Nz market in too small. They will be forced to bring in a Japanese sides for it to be sustainable. Which will inevitably lower the standards again, the argument of Japanese sides having internationals in is mostly the same nz pacific players, this does not strengthen national sides in long term scenarios. Its a great to watch though but you have to remember its basically all pseudo nz sides playing against Australia.

@@gameadadams5338 "a zombie competition the guaranteed a finalist from each country"-youbare correct which is why SA and Australian teams were guaranteed a top 8 placing even though all the NZ teams had more log points than them but still placed low in that top 8....you just proved my point...the struggling SA teams still able to make the final of this Euro comp says a lot

Super Rugby is far more supreme than the URC comp. Had the Bulls played in Super Rugby they wouldn't have made the top 8. Anyways well done Bulls from a Crusaders supporter.

@@carlratima458 WTF... Only have to win 4 games to be in top 8🤡

@@carlratima458 only problem is that your packs are now powder puffs You really miss playing against South African teams to hone your forward skills That is why the AB’s are so weak as you have an average pack with a world class back line It was a mistake for you kicking us out of Super Rugby but for us it was a blessing

@@carlratima458 based on what I see, and the news that's going around on social media. Super rugby quality dropped... So has the teams. NZ golden Era has come to a end.

@@leonvanrooyen6904 we'll see in the rugby championship who are powder puffs . All blacks will destroy South Africa and you know it. Your SA teams play in an average comp compared to super rugby. All Blacks another Championship title.

Agree Jacques, no class in gloating

It’s just shii housing mane. Don’t be soy. On Instagram it’s the Anglo Boer War all over again😂😂😂😂😂💀

Come now leave us to our banter 🤣 They certainly dished it out to us at the start of the season. Just deserts 😂

Jacques Venter FINALLY a South African can see and call out the arrogance and toxicity from South Africans! Shame the minority give the majority a bad name

Sê hulle Jacques!

The mainstream rugby media should not be taken as gospel. Anyone with half an idea would have thought this was always going to be a close run game.

That's down to coaching i'm afriad

Evidently the Bulls have the biggest support base by far in ZA, especially among & because of black support - which surprised me to hear (considering our history)

The Stormers did reach the Super Rugby final in 2010.

As a Sharks fan I was surprised to hear myself screaming for them in excitement - was loads of fun.

@@stonewhall yeeah Sharks fan here too🤙

😎

Jesus pal, unless you're about 14 years old, that comment's all kinds of cringe

@@rhymeocerous damn boii. Cry some more. The All Blacks and Boks are the most dominant forces in world rugby. Accept that. Now, go make me some coffee and hurry up, yeah

@@jacobtiavaso367 Q.E.D.

@@rhymeocerous yeah I agree, he's a bit out of depth here among the grown-ups, & to add to the embarassment, he's likely a fellow Saffa but who grew up without a father figure to train him in basic courtesy & grace towards others.

And last week they beat the Boks

They must be planet earth

Shouldn't feel bad, SA are just better at rugby, that is obvious. Check the stats for the last 130 years. If the British Isles played as a team, like the Lions, all the time, and played in a British Isles domestic competition, they would be right up there with NZ and SA all the time. But as they play separately, it makes it much easier for the two big southern hemisphere teams to dominate. Add the best Irish, Welsh, and Scottish players in to the England team, and you have a top side that would go toe to toe with SA and would be more competitive against NZ.

@@Mr___X to be fair, England alone has a much bigger population than South Africa, and we are one of the bigger Southern Hemisphere countries. (Also don't say that England is mostly a football/soccer country because South Africa is too)

@@omnihein9322 it's not just football, look at how england punch above their weight in every other sport. rugby is mostly played by 40 year old men in england, irrelevant when considering the professional game.

@@Mr___X Dont say British Isle please. Thats a British imperialistic term. Britain and Ireland will do, or Uk and Ireland. Thanks

@@Mr___X only a small percentage of our population play rugby (however it's like a cult), we are involved in a lot of other sports too, in case you forgot, we have one of the best cricket teams in the world, we have some of the best track and field players in the world, the only things South Africa isn't actively competitive in is American sports (like "football", basketball) and winter sports (no snow in South Africa). We also have to make do with a budget a fraction of the other teams.

Fully expect NZ to hammer Ireland. a lot of our of form players at the moment and the drop off when sexton comes off or can't play is insane

@@jeffrey89095 As a South African supporter, I never really had an opportunity to see Sexton’s value until now -, I couldn’t believe how much of an impact he had when he came on at 55 minutes. His presence just elevated the whole team.

The IRFU has been able to stitch up the Celtic League for the last 10-15 years due to its corporate tax haven status. But the money ran out years ago so they had to bring the Saffers in. The knock on effect of this is you get Irish players up against better players who aren't just going to role over against them.

Wessel, top comment !

@@jeffrey89095 I don’t as a Bok and Bulls supporter We played well yes against Leinster but we have won nothing yet Irish forward play will be hardened playing against SA sides and that is the Achilles heel in AB rugby at the moment they have a powder puff pack and if Ireland get parity up front they are going to give the AB’s a hard time