The United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final fixtures have been confirmed following a thrilling round 18 finish that left fans across four continents on edge.
The knockout stage will begin on Friday, May 30, when fourth-seeded Glasgow Warriors host the Stormers at Scotstoun. Glasgow, who won the championship in 2024, are aiming to become the first team to successfully defend the URC title.
On Saturday, the action moves to South Africa and Ireland. The Bulls, ranked second, will play host to Edinburgh in Pretoria. Later that day, Leinster -- top of the table -- face Scarlets, the eighth and final team to qualify, in Dublin. The last match of the weekend will see the Sharks take on Munster in Durban.
The quarter-final lineup features three cross-hemisphere clashes, highlighting the URC's unique global appeal. Irish and South African teams continue to dominate, taking six of the eight spots in the playoffs.
While home advantage offers a significant edge, history hasn't been kind to the No. 1 seed. No top-ranked side has ever lifted the URC trophy, and fans are already speculating whether Leinster might suffer the same fate again this year.
Glasgow, as defending champions, will look to maintain momentum, but the Stormers, who won in 2022, remain a formidable challenge. Meanwhile, Munster and Edinburgh enter the playoffs as underdogs but have shown they can upset the giants.
Fans commented on the high-stakes fixtures. "Leinster better not bottle it again. Top seed curse is real," wrote a fan on X. "Stormers v Glasgow might just be the match of the season," added another fan.
The stakes are sky-high, and every team remaining has something to prove. The quarter-finals promise high intensity, passionate crowds, and moments that could define the season.