After a month-long pause for Test rugby, the URC roars back to life this weekend.

The only two unbeaten sides, the Stormers and Munster, collide in a top-of-the-table blockbuster, while the Bulls and Lions square off in the Jukskei derby with massive early-season stakes, and the Sharks – buoyed by their maiden win – head to Ireland chasing consistency.

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Played five, won five, top of the log on points difference and still adding new layers to their game, the STORMERS couldn’t have asked for a stronger first phase of the URC season.

Their last mission – a bruising Italian away day against Benetton – showcased the grit that has underpinned their perfect start. Trailing 16-8 at half-time on a heavy pitch, the Capetonians shut the hosts out in the second half and powered to a 31-16 victory.

Jurie Matthee stole the night with 21 points, stamping himself as a flyhalf capable of steering the ship in the absence of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Sazi Sandi grabbed an early try, Zachary Porthen showed why he was drafted into the Bok setup, and Cobus Reinach brought calm, tempo and class.

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The BULLS‘ first block of the season has been solid rather than spectacular – enough to sit sixth on the table with 14 points, but accompanied by a nagging sense that more was possible.

Their 21-12 defeat to Glasgow summed their campaign up: brave, competitive, but ultimately punished for lapses at key moments.

They defended with discipline early, responded superbly to Glasgow’s fast start, and produced two tries through Stravino Jacobs and Willie le Roux to take a 12-7 lead early in the second half. But missed kicks hurt, a yellow card swung momentum, and Glasgow’s penalty try followed by Nathan McBeth’s score sealed the result.

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They also had a golden chance at 12-7 with the hosts down to 14 men – Kurt-Lee Arendse nearly finishing a sweeping move before a knock-on crushed the opportunity. But the men from Pretoria are still right in the fight and with their squad likely to be strengthened as their internationals return.

This might be the most exciting storyline of the URC so far: the LIONS are not just competitive. They’re dangerous.

Their 49-31 demolition of previously unbeaten Ulster was the performance of the round – seven tries, a scrum that bullied an Irish pack and a clear statement that high-pace, high-power Lions rugby is back.

Early fireworks from SJ Kotze and Eduan Keyter lit up Ellis Park, and even when they trailed 19-17 at half-time and lost Asenathi Ntlabakanye to the bin, the Lions refused to blink. Ruan Venter’s try swung the momentum, Chris Smith controlled the scoreboard, and the last quarter turned into a rout with tries from Renzo du Plessis, Henco van Wyk, Conrad van Vuuren and Morné Brandon.

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The Lions sit eighth on the log (11 points) and head into the derby against the Bulls with confidence they haven’t felt in a while.

The SHARKS‘ first block of the season has been turbulent, but at least it now includes a win.

Their 29-19 bonus-point victory over the Scarlets wasn’t perfect, but it was desperately needed. The Durban-based side are still searching for fluency, defensive cohesion and rhythm, but they at least rediscovered the feeling of closing out a match.

The Sharks go into round six placed 13th on the log on eight points, and head to Connacht with a platform at last. They’ll also return from the Test window with significantly more experience and leadership in their match 23 which is a huge boost.

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Round 5 results:
Glasgow 21 Bulls 12
Lions 49 Ulster 31
Sharks 29 Scarlets 19
Dragons 19 Ospreys 19
Benetton 16 Stormers 31
Leinster 50 Zebre 26
Cardiff 20 Edinburgh 19
Munster 17 Connacht 15

Round 6 fixtures:
Friday, 28 November
Ulster vs Benetton, 9:45pm
Dragons vs Leinster, 9:45pm
Saturday, 29 November
Bulls vs Lions, 2pm
Zebre vs Cardiff, 3pm
Munster vs Stormers, 7:30pm
Edinburgh vs Ospreys, 7:30pm
Connacht vs Sharks, 9:45pm
Scarlets vs Glasgow, 9:45pm

Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images