The Lions rugby team will need two wins out of two matches to stand a chance of qualifying for the URC playoffs. Picture: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images
It’s now crunch-time in the United Rugby Championship.
With two regular rounds to go before the playoffs are contested there is a lot to play for in the race for a top eight finish.
The four South African teams are all in the mix, but only the Stormers (second, 61 points) are guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals.
The Bulls (seventh, 43 points) and Sharks (eighth, 41 points) can’t afford any slip-ups, while the Lions (11th, 38 points) need everything to go their way in the next two weekends.
The good news for the four local sides is that they will play all their remaining games on home soil, which should boost their chances of qualifying as high up the points table as possible to give them their best chance later on to play at home.
Friday
6.30pm: Sharks v Benetton
8.35pm: Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets and Ulster v Dragons
Saturday
1pm: Bulls v Zebre
4pm: Lions v Leinster
6.15pm: Stormers v Munster
8.35pm: Connacht v Cardiff and Edinburgh v Ospreys
Friday, 21 April
6.30pm: Stormers v Benetton
8.35pm: Ulster v Edinburgh
Saturday, 22 April
1pm: Lions v Zebre
4pm: Bulls v Leinster and Dragons v Scarlets
6.15pm: Sharks v Munster and Ospreys v Cardiff
8.35pm: Glasgow Warriors v Connacht