The Lions powered into the Top 5 of the URC with another strong performance at Ellis Park. They will have a two-week break before their next game and will look to regroup ahead of a defining period in their bid for a first playoff spot.
Image: BackpagePix
With the United Rugby Championship (URC) taking a break over the next two weeks, making way for the Champions Cup knockouts, it gives the four South African franchises a chance to look at their positions and prioritise their next match in the race to the knockouts.
Following another unbeaten weekend for the Stormers, Lions, Bulls and Sharks, they consolidated their spots on the official URC log. However, the inability of the Durbanites to bag a bonus point against Cardiff could come back to hurt them.
We take a look at the state of play for the SA teams with four matches left.
Second | Played 14, Won 11, Drawn 0, Lost 3, Points Difference 139, Points 51
Still struggling to fully hit their straps, the Cape side — nevertheless — continues to pull away from the chasing pack. After two performances where they didn’t really hit their peak, it is time to push for a commanding game.
They have two weekends off from the URC, and the visiting Connacht will be their next challenge.
To ensure they stay in the Top 2, a balance between the URC and Champions Cup knockout this weekend must be struck. But to keep their URC home play-off ambitions alive, the Champions Cup Round of 16 match against Toulon will likely take a backseat.
Fifth | P14, W8, D1, L5, PD 36, Pts 43.
A Top 4 spot is within reach of the Lions. They were briefly there, but Ulster’s victory over Zebre spoiled that opportunity of ending fourth this weekend. However, their knockout fate is still within their hands, and how they cope with these momentum-breaking two weeks of no rugby will be critical to their campaign.
They achieved a grinding win over the Dragons, pulling away in the second half, and that bonus point was crucial to get them to fifth and two ahead of Cardiff and Munster. They still have two clashes at home, and they must use them to put more daylight between them and the chasing pack.
It must be a week of regrouping for the Johannesburg side, where they can reset and take their minds off a bit of rugby, before returning to tackle what is left in the URC. They need as many points from the next matches to ensure the final two overseas games do not decide their fate in the play-offs.
Eighth, P14, W8, D0, L6, PD 57, Pts 40.
That close call against Munster on Saturday will have the red lights flickering for the Pretoria side and head coach Johan Ackermann. They were in control, but soft moments allowed their visitors to stay in the match, and they can ill-afford losing control.
Connacht are chomping at their heels on the table, and only bonus point victories will keep them in the running. Any loss in the next four matches could push them outside of the playoff spots.
So, careful planning is needed from Ackermann over the next few weeks. They have the Champions Cup to contend with as well, with a duel against the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland. They cannot afford to send their strongest side and run the risk of losing a few players. That could have a massive impact on their URC run-in.
10th, P14, W6, D1, L7, PD -26, Pts 33
They crucially missed a four-try bonus point against Cardiff in Durban, and it could prove costly in the long run. But nevertheless, the victory was needed, and the Sharks moved up one spot on the table. That takes them one step closer to the Top 8, and there will be a concerted effort from them after the break to climb higher.
It doesn’t help their cause that injuries keep disrupting the side; however, a two-week URC break could do the team the world of good. Recovery will likely be on top of the list for the majority of the seniors.
They should not be involved in any Challenge Cup rugby over the next week or so and must be kept as fresh as possible for their bid to make it into the knockouts. Head coach JP Pietersen will be hopeful to welcome back some key injured players to help their cause of making the playoffs.