Wynona Louw's Round Three hits-and-misses column identifies the Stormers' set-piece recovery as the platform for their 39-22 derby win over the Sharks — a direct response to the Edinburgh horror show — with Hugo-Venter's return stabilising the lineout (15 of 16 throws won, three stolen) and the scrum surgically dismantling Nche and Du Toit. The standout individual, though, was Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who Louw argues was back to genuine top form after looking rusty in the Rugby Championship. In Pretoria, Hanekom was the column's pick of the weekend across both games: 76 metres, two tries, eight tackles, and the kind of abrasive carrying that makes him a selection headache in the best possible way. The Lions' collapse gets traced to a single moment — Van den Berg's impulsive slap of the ball out of De Wet's hands, a yellow card that gifted the Bulls two unanswered Hanekom tries and turned a contest into a rout.
Sacha back to his best, Hanekom a force, and Van den Berg's moment of madness
Feinberg-Mngomezulu's return to form, Hanekom's dominance for the Bulls, and Van den Berg's yellow-card brainfart are the talking points from a South African derby weekend that handed the Bok coaching staff plenty to smile about — and a few scrum selections to reconsider.
Why the Bulls have the edge over the Stormers heading into the URC semis
Rich argues that the Murrayfield venue switch — forced by Commonwealth Games scheduling — is a genuine edge for the Bulls against Glasgow, whose artificial-surface fortress at Scotstoun won't be in play. The Stormers face Leinster at the Aviva while carrying significant injury baggage from their quarterfinal win.
Dobson: Kolbe returning to win trophies, not to wind down
John Dobson says Cheslin Kolbe has made a major financial sacrifice to return to the Stormers, motivated by winning trophies rather than winding down his career, while warning the franchise is close to its limit on high-profile signings.
Keo & Zels: Justice for Ethan Hooker!
Keo and Zels are livid that the TMO failed Ethan Hooker, and the game itself - what ever happened to player safety?
Seven SA players who could define the URC playoff race over the final four rounds
Rugby365 identifies seven SA players whose current form makes them pivotal to the URC playoff race — from Roos and Papier to Chris Smith's 123-point season and Rudolph's competition-leading turnover count.
Seven SA players who could swing the URC playoff race in the final four rounds
Wynona Louw profiles the seven in-form South African players she believes will be decisive in the URC playoff race, with Roos, Papier, Smith and Buthelezi among those highlighted as their franchises push for a top-eight finish.