Head coach Jacques Nienaber has named 13 of the 15 players who started against Ireland in round three, with the only two changes coming at scrum-half, where Cobus Reinach gets the nod ahead of Faf de Klerk, with Duane Vermeulen in place of Jasper Wiese at number eight.
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25 October 2025
20:45 Cardiff v Edinburgh (Cardiff Arms Park)
AI Grote: Edinburgh 60%
Sports4Cast: Cardiff 57%
Ou Grote (Rob): Edinburgh by 3
Ou Grote (James): Cardiff by 5
Edinburgh’s squad depth may give them the tilt, particularly in an away fixture.
25 October 2025
20:45 Munster v Connacht (Thomond Park)
AI Grote: Munster 65%
Sports4Cast: Munster 83%
Ou Grote (Rob): Munster by 7
Ou Grote (James): Munster by 5
A classic Irish provincial clash; Munster at home tend to be strong — though Connacht are never pushovers.
25 October 2025
18:30 Dragons v Ospreys (Rodney Parade)
AI Grote: Ospreys 60%
Sports4Cast: Ospreys 72%
Ou Grote (Rob): Ospreys by 10
Ou Grote (James): Ospreys by 12
Welsh derby is competitive; Ospreys slightly better form lately, hence a lean to them.
25 October 2025
18:30 Benetton v DHL Stormers (Stadio Monigo)
AI Grote: Stormers 70%
Sports4Cast: Stormers 58%
Ou Grote (Rob): Stormers by 5
Ou Grote (James): Stormers by 7
Stormers have historically fared well against Benetton (see head-to-head stats) and are more consistent; Benetton’s home advantage reduces but does not overturn that gap.
25 October 2025
18:30 Leinster v Zebre Parma (Aviva)
AI Grote: Leinster 80%
Sports4Cast: Leinster 95%
Ou Grote (Rob): Leinster by 7
Ou Grote (James): Leinster by 9
Leinster are strong favourites against a lower-tier side, hence a high probability.
25 October 2025
16:00 Sharks v Scarlets (Kings Park)
AI Grote: Sharks 65%
Sports4Cast: Sharks 69%
Ou Grote (Rob): Sharks by 9
Ou Grote (James): Sharks by 7
Sharks at home are usually strong; Scarlets are capable of surprises, but this fixture leans clearly to the home side.
25 October 2025
13:45 Emirates Lions v Ulster (Emirates Airline Park)
AI Grote: Ulster 55%
Sports4Cast: Lions 60%
Ou Grote (Rob): Ulster by 3
Ou Grote (James): Ulster by 5
Ulster’s consistency and touring experience edge them over Lions, though not by a huge margin.
24 October 2025
20:45 Glasgow Warriors v Vodacom Bulls (Scotstoun Stadium)
AI Grote: Glasgow Warriors 60%
Sports4Cast: Glasgow Warriors 66%
Ou Grote (Rob): Glasgow Warriors by 6
Ou Grote (James): Bulls by 1
Rugby365: Glasgow Warriors by 6
Though Bulls are a heavy force, Glasgow’s Scotstoun fortress + home crowd support gives them a moderate edge. Still a tough match — 60/40 feels about right.
2026 Greatest Rivalry Tour – New Zealand in South Africa fixtures
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, an alternating quadrennial tour between South Africa and New Zealand, has been confirmed, marking a defining new chapter for the intense rivalry between the sport’s most successful and storied nations. In the tour’s maiden year, South Africa will host New Zealand in August and September 2026.
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