"Top Four? That's Tough" - Schalk Brits, Darren Cave and Ryan Wilson preview new URC season

For 2019 World Cup winner Schalk Brits, the signs are encouraging. “Last week we gave the All Blacks a bit of a bashing, didn’t we? That’s pretty exciting,” he grinned, pointing to the form of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse. “Sacha has been playing well, Damian at 12 has been amazing."

Brits also believes the Vodacom Bulls are poised for a big year thanks to the return of their marquee fly-half. “You’ve got Handre Pollard leaving Premiership rugby and coming back into the URC with the Bulls. That’s really exciting. There’s a strong group of players returning to South Africa and others trying out new positions.”

The Rugby Championship has reflected how competitive the southern hemisphere remains — “everyone’s won two, lost two,” as Brits pointed out — but now focus shifts north, where the URC looks just as open.

From a British and Irish perspective, former Ulster and Ireland centre Darren Cave picked up on the impact of the recent Lions tour. “From Ireland, I’d say Joe McCarthy in the second row exceeded expectations,” he explained. “But honestly, I was blown away by Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones. That midfield combination has been brilliant in the URC for a while, and they were outstanding on tour. Glasgow fans should be very excited.”

Former Scotland flanker Ryan Wilson also weighed in after his trip to Australia. While tongue-in-cheek about missing a call-up — “I was pretty disappointed not to get that call. But listen, I had the Legends Series in Sydney to keep me busy!” — Wilson was full of praise for Tadhg Beirne. “People had doubts after the warm-ups, thought he was off form, but he turned up and delivered. For me, he was player of the tournament — and apparently he’s just as good off the pitch!”

Closer to home, former Springbok Brits sees the Bulls as genuine title contenders under Johan Ackermann. “He’s already bringing the group together. He’s working them hard, but also keeping it fun — classic Ackies."

The DHL Stormers, however, have lost their key playmaker Manie Libbok, who is heading to Japan. “Manie Libbok is underrated. If their pack lays a platform, their backline is still electric. But injuries could make or break their season.”

For the Hollywoodbets Sharks, the challenge is to live up to their roster. “On paper, they’ve got a world-class squad but haven’t clicked. Hopefully John Plumtree can turn that around,” said Brits. Meanwhile, “the Lions will remain the breeding ground for young talent.”

Wilson was bullish on former club Glasgow, transformed by Franco Smith, but cautious about Edinburgh. “Top four? That’s tough. For me, they need to guarantee top eight first. The squad is good enough — no excuses — but they lacked consistency last season. Keep Darcy Graham fit and they’re dangerous.”

One of the most intriguing talking points is the rise of “hybrid players.” Cave remains cautious: “Sometimes rugby chases new ideas just for the sake of it. Do I see value in a massive centre who can cover flanker for 20 minutes? Sure. But being world-class in both roles is almost impossible.”

Brits, though, highlighted the Springbok influence: “That’s how Rassie (Erasmus) selects athletes now. Back in the day it was just about big guys for one position. Now it’s chess — he wants his bishops or knights to play multiple roles. Franco Smith is another coach who loves that kind of thinking.”

Wilson agreed: “If you’ve got a nine like Jamie Dobie, who’s a natural scrum-half but can also do a good job on the wing, suddenly your squad is much stronger. Angus Bell (who will join Ulster in December), actually started his career at No. 8 before moving into the front row. That’s what excites me.”

So who will take the trophy? Leinster, the perennial powerhouses who usually start the season as favourites, won the title last year after a 32-7 thrashing of the Bulls in the final. “For the last three or four years it’s been the same story — they rack up the wins during the season and head into the play-offs with home advantage,” Cave noted.

Cave also said that while he doesn’t expect them to go all the way, that Connacht could be a surprise package this season under Stuart Lancaster.

As for stars to watch, the panel spread their bets. Brits said that, “It always goes to the backs, give the forwards some credit!” Cave went with RG Snyman, with a nod to Benetton’s Tommaso Menoncello. Wilson, meanwhile, backed Angus Bell from the forwards or Sione Tuipulotu from the backs.

With Leinster, the Bulls, and plenty of wildcards in the mix, the 2025/26 BKT URC looks wide open.