The URC is back this weekend, kicking off a three-week stint of back-to-back-to-back match days. After just one match week since the last weekend in October, the URC sides will be ready to make moves in what could prove to be a crucial period in the battle for playoff positions in May.
Here is a look at the Round 7 matches, highlighted by the South African derbies, with Stormers hosting Lions and Bulls traveling to play Sharks.
Stormers VS Lions
Saturday, 20 December – Cape Town Stadium
The first SA derby of the weekend sees the top-of-the-table Stormers facing the Lions in Cape Town. Stormers have been impeccable this season so far, winning all six of their matches and picking up three bonus points to sit top of the log with 27 points.
Lions have been perfectly inconsistent. They are seventh on the log, with 16 points from six matches. Four bonus points are bolstering their three wins and three defeats. Seventh place actually makes Lions the second-best-placed South African team on the log with a third of the season in the books.
Lions might be the most fun team to watch in the comp. They have scored 174 points, which is the third-highest among the 16 teams. The problem is that their defense hasn’t been up to it, with their 178 points conceded being the fourth worst.
Stormers have been exciting in attack but stellar at not giving up points. They average just 10 points per game, while they are the second-highest-scoring side behind Ulster.
This is a challenging task for Lions, especially with the game being played at the Stormers’ Cape Town fortress. I expect the hosts to win, but the Lions to cover, losing by 12 points.
Sharks VS Bulls
Saturday, 20 December – Kings Park Stadium, Durban
The handicap of just 1.5 points in favor of Bulls shows just how close this derby in Durban should be.
Bulls have been basically the same as Lions to this point in the season. They also have three wins and three defeats, but sit one point behind Lions on 15 points, having just three bonus points to date.
Sharks are in big-time need of a win here. They have just eight points on the season, sitting in fifteenth place on the table ahead of just the winless Ospreys. The good news for Sharks is that Zebre, in eleventh, are just two points better off, so a win here would go a long way towards propelling them up the table.
Sharks picked up a massive win last time out as they downed Saracens 28-23 in Champions Cup play. The big news is the selection of Jordan Hendrikse at No. 10, a huge nod of confidence in a game and environment that are among the toughest the league has to offer.
If his youth and energy help unlock the attacking talent Sharks have, it could be the move that changes the direction of their season.
Bulls have won three of the last five against Sharks, but I like an upset here with the home team finding a way to win.
