Lions-Bulls Jukskei derby headlines opening URC weekend

Gauteng's Jukskei derby between the Lions and Bulls will headline the opening weekend of the United Rugby Championship, whose fixture dates and times were announced on Friday.

Bulls director of rugby Jake White's team travel on the N1 South to Ellis Park for a round one meeting with Ivan van Rooyen's team for the second instalment of the URC.

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It means that new Bulls recruit Wandisile Simelane could get to face his former side immediately as the new season starts after swapping Lions red for Bulls sky blue.

The Lions host the Bulls on Saturday, 17 September, at 16:05.

The Sharks' round one match against the defending champions, the Stormers, has been deferred to 3 February 2023, meaning both teams begin their campaigns the following week in round two.

The Sharks then travel to Zebre Parma on 23 September, while the Stormers host Connacht in Cape Town, four months after lifting the inaugural title.

The first URC match of the season sees Benetton host Glasgow Warriors in Italy on Friday, 16 September, where the likes of Rhyno Smith and Sintu Manjezi, both South African, could come up against each other.

Click here to view and download the full URC fixture list.

R1 - Friday, September 16

Benetton v Glasgow Warriors | 18.30 

Cardiff Rugby v Munster | 20.35 

Saturday, September 17

Zebre Parma v Leinster | 14.00 

Lions v Bulls | 16.05 

Scarlets v Ospreys | 18.15 

Edinburgh Rugby v Dragons RFC | 20.35 

Ulster v Connacht | 20.35 

**Fri, Feb 3 2022 Sharks v Stormers 

 R2 – Friday, September 23

Zebre Parma v Sharks | 18.30 

Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Rugby | 20.35 

Leinster v Benetton | 20.35 

Saturday, September 24

Scarlets v Ulster | 14.00 

Bulls v Edinburgh Rugby |