The 2025 United Rugby Championship semi-finals saw two dominant performances as Leinster dismantled defending champions Glasgow at home, while the Bulls held off the Sharks in Pretoria to punch their ticket to the final.
Both sides delivered clinical attacking displays and resolute defense to set up a compelling showdown at Croke Park next weekend.
- Leinster 37 – 19 Glasgow Warriors
- Vodacom Bulls 25 – 13 Sharks
Here are all the match recaps and highlights from the URC semi-finals:
LEINSTER CRUSH HOLDERS GLASGOW TO REACH URC FINAL AT CROKE PARK
Leinster 37 – 19 Glasgow Warriors (HT: 25–5)
Leinster stormed into the United Rugby Championship final with a commanding 37–19 victory over defending champions Glasgow Warriors in Dublin. Backed by a clinical six-try display, the Irish side avenged recent disappointments in knockout rugby and booked a date with the Bulls at Croke Park next Saturday. Hooker Dan Sheehan opened the scoring just three minutes in, but Glasgow replied immediately through scrum-half George Horne. That early parity didn’t last, as Leinster turned up the intensity and surged ahead with unanswered tries from Jamie Osborne, Thomas Clarkson, and a second from Sheehan to lead 25–5 at the break. Osborne grabbed his second early in the second half, and Ciaran Frawley added a sixth try to all but seal the result. Though the Warriors rallied with late scores from Jamie Dobie and Sione Tuipulotu, the damage had long been done. Leinster’s defensive control and superior execution proved too much for a Glasgow side missing key players and unable to match the hosts’ physicality or precision. Having fallen in three consecutive URC semi-finals, Leo Cullen’s men now stand one game away from claiming their first title in this competition format.
LEINSTER
- Tries: Sheehan (2’, 40’), Osborne (27’, 53’), Clarkson (32’), Frawley (57’)
- Conversions: Prendergast (3’, 54’)
- Penalties: Prendergast (22’)
GLASGOW WARRIORS
- Tries: Horne (4’), Dobie (71’), Tuipulotu (78’)
- Conversions: Jordan (72’, 79’)
BULLS SEE OFF SHARKS TO REACH URC FINAL BUT HANEKOM INJURY CASTS SHADOW
Vodacom Bulls 25 – 13 Sharks (HT: 15–3)
The Bulls booked their place in the United Rugby Championship final with a composed 25–13 win over domestic rivals the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld. Despite a dominant first-half showing and standout performances from their young backs, the win was marred by a concerning injury to rising Springbok No. 8 Cameron Hanekom. The hosts struck early through winger Sebastian de Klerk, who finished smartly in the corner. Minutes later, de Klerk turned provider with a pinpoint cross-kick to Canan Moodie, who dotted down on the opposite wing to extend the lead. Johan Goosen added a penalty, giving the Bulls a 15–3 advantage at the break, with the Sharks’ only points coming from Siya Masuku’s boot. The visitors fought back after halftime, scoring two unconverted tries through Makazole Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker to close the gap to just two points. However, the Bulls regained control with a crucial finish from David Kriel, and Keagan Johannes slotted the conversion to seal the result. Jake White’s side will now head to Dublin to face Leinster in next weekend’s URC final at Croke Park, hoping to lift their first title since 2021.
VODACOM BULLS
- Tries: de Klerk (7’), Moodie (21’), Kriel (66’)
- Conversions: Goosen (8’), Johannes (67’)
- Penalties: Goosen (35’), Johannes (56’)
SHARKS
- Tries: Mapimpi (44’), Hooker (52’)
- Penalties: Hendrikse (26’)
2025 UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL OVERVIEW
Leinster will now host the Bulls in the 2025 URC Final at Croke Park—an all-out clash between two of the competition’s most physical, tactically sharp sides.
With silverware on the line, expect intensity, collisions, and no shortage of big moments.
Who impressed you most in the semi-finals? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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