URC SCENE-SETTER: Sharks stand to benefit significantly from Loftus encounter
They are expected to head to Pretoria considerably under-strength, but if the Hollywoodbets Sharks can gain anything from their away match against the Vodacom Bulls, it could greatly enhance their bid for a top-four position in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship standings.
The competition resumes with a full round this upcoming weekend because of a pause in the Guinness Six Nations Championship, and besides their own visit to Loftus, there are additional matches that might affect the top four rankings.
The Sharks sit in fourth with 29 points, while fifth-placed Cardiff also holds 29. Nonetheless, the Sharks possess a game in hand over the Welsh team, along with the other Welsh squad, Scarlets, which is in sixth place, trailing them and Cardiff by three points.
Even though there is a pause in the Six Nations, the top Welsh players will not be accessible, which is expected to significantly affect the performance of both Welsh teams during challenging away matches in Ireland.
Leinster, who will play the Ospreys away on Friday, contributes most of the Ireland starting squad, so Munster likely won’t feel the effects of Ireland selections as much as the Scarlets, who are set to visit Limerick on Saturday night. This also applies to Connacht, as they will begin their match against Cardiff in Galway right after the game at Thomond Park concludes.
DURBAN RESIDENTS MAY BE MISSING ALL THEIR BOKS
Losses for the two Welsh teams will allow the Sharks to create a distance in the race for a top four placement that will guarantee home field advantage in the initial playoff match. However, therein lies the challenge – the Sharks face a Bulls team that will be energized by their derby victory against the Stormers.
It is recognized that they will be considerably under-strength since their coach John Plumtree, aware of the benefits of having a completely fit and fresh squad from March as his players enter the crucial stage of the competition, has reportedly granted most of his Springboks the month of February off.
Numerous players from the Boks are injured regardless, according to the latest Sharks injury report, so the Sharks will need to tap into their talent pool. A benefit for them is that several players Plumtree will rely on have tasted victory at Loftus as recently as last September, during their extra-time win in the Carling Currie Cup final against the Bulls.
Nonetheless, the Bulls squad that took the field that day was considerably below URC standard, and recently, the Sharks have faced difficulties in URC matches at Loftus.
They narrowly secured a victory on their home turf in the first-round match in Durban just prior to Christmas, and the Bulls will be eager to make amends for that outcome, as it was a contest where, despite the Sharks’ courage, the Bulls ultimately sabotaged their own efforts.
As they certainly did in that previously mentioned domestic semifinal, where it is remembered that the Bulls were, at one stage, facing 12 men with the scores tied but still couldn’t overcome their rivals.
In the Sharks’ favor is the likelihood that they will travel to Pretoria with hope instead of expectation, which has benefited them previously. Plumtree’s expectation is that after the Boks return in March, his squad will embark on a winning streak that will carry them into the playoffs with strong momentum.
LIONS ALSO HAVE A LOT TO BENEFIT FROM
The other match on South African soil this Saturday is also quite significant. The Stormers presently lead the Lions in the standings, holding 23 points compared to the Lions’ 19, and the Cape team will enter Emirates Airlines Park three spots above the Lions in the rankings.
Here’s the twist, however – the Lions possess two games in hand over the Stormers. Therefore, if they succeed, starting early in the afternoon at high altitude during summer provides them with a considerable advantage over all rivals except the Bulls, and the Johannesburg team will swiftly find themselves in a strong position in their pursuit of a top eight spot.
Similarly, a victory for the Stormers will compensate for their close loss to the Bulls, from which they gained what may prove to be vital two bonus points, helping them move into the top eight.
Their chances of reaching the top eight at this point hinge on the Scarlets surprising Munster or Edinburgh losing at home to Zebre on Friday, which is improbable, even though Zebre has shown significantly better form this season compared to past ones.
The Bulls are likely to be strong contenders against the Sharks, and if successful, they will move into second place, overtaking Glasgow Warriors. However, this position could shift again on Sunday when Glasgow faces the last-ranked Dragons in the final match of the weekend.
As the game is scheduled for a Sunday, only six days prior to Scotland’s clash with England at Twickenham in the Six Nations, Glasgow will likely be especially short-handed. However, they ought to possess enough to outdo the favorites for the wooden spoon.
VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK 11
Ospreys versus Leinster (Friday, 9:35 PM)
Edinburgh vs Zebre (Friday, 9:35 PM)
Emirates Lions vs DHL Stormers (Saturday, 2:30 PM)
Vodacom Bulls versus Hollywoodbets Sharks (Saturday, 5pm)
Munster vs Scarlets (Saturday, 7:15 PM)
Benetton versus Ulster (Saturday, 7:15pm)
Connacht vs Cardiff Rugby (Saturday, 9:35 pm)
Dragons versus Glasgow Warriors (Sunday, 4pm)
VODACOM URC LOG STANDINGS
It seems like you might have forgotten to include the text you’d like to have paraphrased. Please provide the text, and I’ll be happy to help! Leinster has accumulated 48 points following 10 matches; 2. Glasgow Warriors have earned 37 points after 10 matches; 3. Vodacom Bulls have 35 points following 9 matches; 4. Hollywoodbets Sharks have accumulated 29 points from 9 matches; 5. Cardiff Rugby has accumulated 29 points after playing 10 matches; 6. Scarlets have accumulated 27 points after 10 matches; 7. Munster has 26 points from 10 matches; 8th. Edinburgh has accumulated 24 points after playing 10 matches; 9. Ulster has 23 points after playing 10 matches; rank 10. DHL Stormers have 23 points following 10 matches; 11. Benetton has 23 points following 10 matches; 12. Ospreys have accumulated 22 points after playing 10 matches; 13. Emirates Lions have scored 19 points following 8 matches; 14. Connacht has 19 points from 10 matches; 15. Zebre has 16 points following 10 matches; 16. Dragons have accumulated 8 points from 10 matches.
