BizNews Rugby: Niels Momberg returns to talk URC crunch time, bruised Leinster, and SA Schoolboy Stars to watch

In this week’s BizNews Rugby Show, SuperSport Schools commentator and "rugby encyclopaedia" Niels Momberg returns to talk all things rugby with insider Rory Steyn and co-host Patrick Kidd. With Round 17 of the United Rugby Championship kicking off today, the trio dissects the playoff permutations, offers fearless predictions (including a few upsets!), and debates the psychology behind Leinster's recent failures. Momberg goes deep on SA’s schoolboy rugby scene, spotlighting prodigies like Paarl Gim's Markus Muller and Grey College's Ethan "Tank" Adams, while also previewing two massive clashes: Paul Roos vs Paarl Gimnasium and Grey College vs Paarl Boys' High. From URC playoff drama to rising stars and flawed scheduling at SA Schools level, this episode is packed with insight, banter, and bold calls you won’t want to miss.The BizNews Rugby newsletter is sent out weekly by Rory Steyn, host of the BizNews Rugby podcast. Sign up for the weekly newsletter here to get the latest BizNews Rugby updates.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..Watch here.Listen here.BizNews ReporterAs the United Rugby Championship (URC) approaches the knockout stage, this week’s BizNews Rugby Show featured the return of SuperSport Schools commentator and Cricket South Africa official Niels Momberg, offering sharp insight alongside resident insider Rory Steyn and co-host Patrick Kidd.Momberg, who Steyn refers to as a "walking rugby encyclopedia," unpacked the critical Round 17 URC matchups, where playoff dreams hang in the balance. His standout picks include:Sharks vs Ospreys: “On paper, they’re world-beaters,” said Momberg, while warning about their inconsistency. Still, he predicts a clear home win for the Sharks.Munster vs Ulster: In a tight Irish derby, he fancies Munster by six, seeing them as a dangerous dark horse.Bulls vs Cardiff: The Pretoria franchise is hitting form at the right time. Expecting Loftus to be a fortress, Momberg backs a 14-point win for the Bulls.Benetton vs Glasgow Warriors: One of the weekend’s trickiest calls. While Rory Steyn backed his beloved Warriors narrowly, Momberg predicts a shock Benetton win by one.Stormers vs Dragons: A comfortable home win predicted for the Cape side, despite concerns around their depleted front row. Momberg sees a 20+ point victory.Leinster vs Zebre: A wounded Leinster will bounce back hard, says Momberg, tipping a 30+ point demolition.Connacht vs Edinburgh: With Edinburgh hit by injuries, he tips Connacht by around six points.Lions vs Scarlets: Despite an underwhelming season, Momberg sees the Lions clawing to a five-point home win to close the gap on the top eight..Beyond the URC, Momberg shone in discussing schoolboy rugby, fresh off the Wildeklawer Festival in Kimberley, where he praised Affies’ win over Paul Roos and spotlighted Paarl Gim’s electric centre Markus Muller, calling him “a potential Danie Gerber-type talent.” With two titanic fixtures this weekend - Paul Roos vs Paul Gym and Grey College vs Paul Boy’s High - he urged fans to tune in, especially with wet weather likely to level the playing field.The episode closed with a passionate call for better coordination between SA Rugby and top schools to avoid clashes with SA Schools selection, a recurring headache during peak derby season.Catch the full show on YouTube and join the rugby debate in the comments.

BizNews Rugby: Niels Momberg returns to talk URC crunch time, bruised Leinster, and SA Schoolboy Stars to watch

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