Familiar foes collide as second leg of SA derbies ignite the URC weekend

It is all about familiar foes this weekend in the United Rugby Championship (URC) as the Lions and Bulls lock horns at Ellis Park in the return Jukskei derby, while the Sharks and Stormers head to Durban following a Cape Town arm wrestle this past weekend.

Valuable URC log points and the battle for the South African Shield will be on the order of the day as three sides, the Sharks, Stormers and Lions are locked on 10 points. Whoever gets the victory in KwaZulu-Natal will put some daylight between themselves and at least two other sides, while it is a must-win for the Lions to stay in the hunt for the title.

The Gauteng match will kick-start the action on Saturday afternoon (2.30pm start), and while both sides returned from a two-week European trip unbeaten, the Pretoria side will have a bone to pick with their neighbours.

It’s 1-0 in the series of two clashes for the hosts, and they will look to pull the double over the Bulls, who are flying high after two brilliant victories over Pau and Edinburgh. Both teams will welcome the change of weather. While light rain is expected, the temperature is expected to be close to 30 degrees Celsius – something both teams are accustomed to.

While the Lions pulled off two draws away, they will have plenty of confidence for this tie.

Ivan van Rooyen, Lions head coach, said it was a tough two weeks of travel with the weather conditions playing a massive role, especially this past weekend against the Ospreys.

“The on-field temperature was -5°C, and the wind was blowing 60km/h in that second half,” Van Rooyen said. “However, we spoke about embracing the tough times and conditions.

"We came through so much over the last couple of years that we feel you can reveal who and what you are. So, I am very proud of the effort, the toughness. The difference between three points and five points out of the game was our discipline in the second half.

“We conceded too many penalties, and they camped in our 22m area. However, we will take the three points.

"We wanted the win, and we scored four tries, so it could’ve been five points. In that sense, we are disappointed.”

Van Rooyen is hopeful that the niggles in his side are not too serious. They will take the next couple of days to refresh mentally and physically, before hitting the training field to prepare for the Bulls.

He added that they are preparing for a big week, and they are excited to face the Bulls.

In Durban, the prospects of another tough coastal derby loom at Kings Park (5pm kick-off).

The Stormers will pitch up with thoughts of revenge and to show what they really can do after an average performance in Cape Town this past weekend. They must be better with their discipline, set pieces, and finishing.

The home side will embrace the challenge, although they could be without key loose forwards through injury. Head coach JP Pietersen will have a couple of replacement options available should Phepsi Buthelezi, Siya Kolisi and Manu Tshituka not be available.