The Vodacom Bulls, Lions and Sharks face an intense race for the URC playoffs with six rounds of the league stage remaining, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA.
The Stormers’ 32-19 victory against the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday broke a three-match losing streak and catapulted them back up the URC log – from sixth to second behind the Glasgow Warriors.
But John Dobson’s men are second by virtue of points difference only, as they have the same number of log points (41) as Ulster and Leinster, with Cardiff a further point back in fifth.
Only two points separate the Stormers and sixth-placed Munster (39).
After the past weekend’s three catch-up games, all 16 teams have now played 12 matches, and the Lions, Bulls and Sharks have work to do if they are to reach the quarter-finals.
There are two full rounds of URC action over the next two weekends before the tournament takes a break for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup playoffs in April.
DOBBO: Stormers’ most dominant performance
The STORMERS rediscovered their mojo in some style at Loftus where they have now won four out of five URC clashes.
Dobson described it as their most dominant performance of the season and few would argue against that as the Stormers bossed the Bulls in almost every facet of play.
The return of experienced heads Neethling Fouché, Deon Fourie, Damian Willemse and Ruhan Nel to the starting lineup played a massive part.
Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also started to look like his old self again, but the man who truly set the tone for a supercharged performance was veteran Fourie.
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He charged at the Bulls defence time and again, and his return from a lengthy injury absence is welcome news for both the Stormers and the Boks.
The Stormers next welcome the Dragons (14th on the log) and Edinburgh (12th) to Cape Town Stadium.
The BULLS were brought down to earth with a thump and face a massive scrap to make the playoffs.
Johan Ackermann’s men sit eighth on 30 points, and while the Lions (33) are in their sights, they have Connacht (30) and the Ospreys (29) breathing down their necks.
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Ackermann lamented his team’s lack of accuracy across the park against the Stormers and admitted there is little margin for error in the weeks ahead.
The Bulls will have to regroup quickly as they next meet fifth-placed Cardiff and sixth-placed Munster at Loftus ahead of a two-match overseas tour.
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The LIONS‘ last outing was an impressive 24-10 win over the Stormers and coach Ivan van Rooyen will hope his charges can maintain that form as they look to cement their place in the top eight.
The Lions host Edinburgh and the Dragons over the next two weekends and two wins could see them challenge strongly for a place in the top six.
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The SHARKS are the South African team with the most to do to make the playoffs They currently sit 11th on 24 points – six points outside the playoff places.
The Sharks were hammered 41-12 by the Bulls in Pretoria last time out and have must-win home matches against Munster and Cardiff over the next two weekends.
While the Sharks will be targeting the teams above them, Edinburgh and Benetton both sit just one point behind them.
Weekend results
Round 2 (rescheduled)
Connacht 31 Scarlets 14
Edinburgh 19 Ulster 40
Round 8 (rescheduled)
Bulls 19 Stormers 32
Round 13 fixtures (SA times)
Friday, 20 March
Bulls vs Cardiff (7pm)
Scarlets vs Zebre (9:45pm)
Ulster vs Connacht (9:45pm)
Saturday, 21 March
Lions vs Edinburgh (2:45pm)
Sharks vs Munster (5pm)
Benetton vs Ospreys (5pm)
Glasgow Warriors vs Leinster (7:30pm)
Sunday, 22 March
Stormers vs Dragons (3pm)
Photo: Gallo Images
The post State of the URC: SA trio have it all to do appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Vodacom Bulls, Lions and Sharks face an intense race for the URC playoffs with six rounds of the league stage remaining.
The post State of the URC: SA trio have it all to do appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
