URC kick-off times: Rugby fans gear up for renewed action this weekend

Round 15 of the United Rugby Championship takes place this week, with the Bulls and Sharks playing away and the Lions and the Stormers on home ground.

All four South African teams still have a chance of finishing in the top eight.

On Friday, the Vodacom Bulls, in eighth place, face the Welsh team Dragons RFC, in the 15th spot at Rodney Parade in Newport.

The Lions, currently in fifth place, face defending champions the Glasgow Warriors, currently in the tournament's top spot. They will play at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Scottish team will be out to prove their worth after a surprising defeat by Toulon in the Champions Cup.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks, currently in 10th position, are playing the Welsh Ospreys, who are 11th on the log. They'll play at Electric Brewery Field, Bridgend.

Earlier on Saturday, the DHL Stormers will face Connacht Rugby at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

The DHL Stormers are currently in second position, and the Irish team is in 9th place.

Stormers coach John Dobson has called on fans to attend the game in honour of the team's manager, Christopher ‘Chippie’ Solomon, who died of a heart attack.

Solomon served as DHL Stormers Team Manager from 2004 until his passing on Saturday morning. He took charge of over 350 matches in that time and provided an unmistakable presence on the touchline through the highs and lows of 21 seasons, a statement read.

Friday, 17 April

Edinburgh Rugby v Zebre Parma

Hive Stadium, Edinburgh – 8.45 pm

Ulster Rugby v Leinster Rugby

Affidea Stadium, Belfast – 8.45 pm

Dragons RFC v Vodacom Bulls

Rodney Parade, Newport – 8.45 pm

Saturday, 18 April

DHL Stormers v Connacht Rugby

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – 1.45 pm

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions v Glasgow Warriors

Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 4 pm

Scarlets v Cardiff Rugby

Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – 6.30 pm

Benetton v Munster Rugby

Stadio Monigo, Treviso – 8.45 pm

Ospreys v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Electric Brewery Field, Bridgend – 8.45 pm