How the URC Works: Playoffs, Shields & Qualification

The United Rugby Championship brings together 16 teams from South Africa, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy. With so many sides across four countries, the format can look complicated — here is how the URC actually works.

The regular season

All 16 teams play 18 rounds in the regular season, and every result feeds into a single combined league table. Teams earn four points for a win and two for a draw, and pick up bonus points along the way (we explain those in our bonus points guide).

The playoffs

The top eight teams on the combined table at the end of the regular season reach the knockout playoffs. They are seeded 1 to 8, with the higher seeds earning home quarter-finals. From there it is straight knockout rugby: quarter-finals, semi-finals and a one-off grand final to crown the champions.

The regional shields

The URC also awards four regional shields — for the top South African, Irish, Welsh and Scottish/Italian sides — recognising the best team in each pool over the season.

European qualification

Final league position also decides who plays in Europe the following season. The highest-placed teams qualify for the elite Investec Champions Cup, while the rest drop into the EPCR Challenge Cup — so every league place matters, not just the playoff spots.

The four South African franchises — the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions — have quickly become genuine contenders. Follow the race on our live URC hub and league table.