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Three SA teams still in the hunt for URC playoffs
It's going to be a big week for the Stormers as they look to secure home fixtures in the knockout rounds.
Werner Kok in action for the Sharks during their URC match against Benetton at the weekend. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
Two wins and two defeats for the South African teams in the penultimate round of this season’s United Rugby Championship (URC) means an exciting final round is in the offing this weekend.
With one match each to play the Lions are out of the running for a place in the quarter-finals, having given up a 36-21 lead against Leinster to lose 39-36 at Ellis Park, but the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls are all still in the picture.
The biggest losers of the weekend were the Stormers who went down 26-24 to Munster in Cape Town to slip out of second place on the points table.
Battle for home playoffs
Though they picked up two bonus points, they are now third with 63 points, and will need to beat Benetton on Friday and hope Ulster (second, 64) lose to Edinburgh in Ireland, to finish second and secure second spot – for home ground advantage in the knockout stages.
Any slip-up by John Dobson’s team could also result in Glasgow Warriors (fourth, 58) moving into third if they smash Connacht at home.
It’s going to be a big week for the Stormers as Benetton will be no pushovers though they are ninth and unlikely to make the top eight.
They pushed the Sharks hard in Durban on Friday but went down 43-33 to fall out of the race, but they’re a side that’s full of running and will look to end their campaign on a high.
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The good news is the Sharks did what was required of them and are now eighth in the standings with 46 points; Benetton are ninth with 41.
The Sharks face Munster (fifth, 53) this Saturday and will hope to win or at least bag a bonus point or two, but whatever happens, Neil Powell’s side look set to play away in the quarter-finals.
Also, the Bulls (seventh, 48), who have suffered with confidence issues and a lack of form in recent weeks, are safe after smashing the winless Zebre 78-12 at Ellis Park and will feature in the last eight, irrespective of what happens in their final league game against the unbeaten table-toppers Leinster (79) this weekend.
Final round fixtures
Friday: Stormers v Benetton (6.30pm), Ulster v Edinburgh (8.35pm)
Saturday: Lions v Zebre (1pm), Bulls v Leinster (4pm), Dragons v Scarlets (4pm), Sharks v Munster (6.15pm), Ospreys v Cardiff (6.15pm), Glasgow Warriors v Connacht (8.35pm)
