With the Six Nations on a bye week, the URC makes a return with more SA derby action on display in the form of the Bulls v Hollywoodbets Sharks in Pretoria and Lions v Stormers in Joburg.
Friday 14 February
Ospreys | Draw | Leinster
Ospreys are in superb form having gone five games unbeaten (one draw and four wins) and condemning Benetton to a 43-0 thumping last time out. Those positive results has seen them claw their way up to 12th on the standings and they’re now within just two-points of the playoff places.
Unfortunately for the Swanseans though, that great run looks set to come to an end here, with Leinster’s uncanny squad depth set to see them keep intact their unblemished record this term.
Verdict: Leinster on the board
The away team to make it 11 wins from 11.
Edinburgh | Draw | Zebre
Edinburgh sit precariously in eighth spot on the table, with the highly competitive and close-knit nature of the race for the playoffs meaning any slip up could cost them dearly. They simply must capitalise with a full house of five-log points against a Zebre side that, despite coming off their best result of the season in a 15-14 win at Ulster, will feel the absence of their Six Nations internationals more so than Edinburgh come Friday.
Verdict: Edinburgh on the minus
Edinburgh to ease past the Parma outfit.
Saturday 15 February
Lions | Draw | Stormers
The Lions would have felt utterly deflated following their 22-35 defeat to the Bulls in Joburg after falling off the pace in the second-half and ultimately coming up well short. Sitting 13th, four-points off the 10th-placed Stormers, victory on the highveld will put them right back in the playoff mix.
Much like the hosts, the Capetonians are also ruing a loss to the Bulls after being dealt an agonising 32-33 loss in the Mother City on the weekend in a game they arguably should have won. Still, there were plenty of positives to take from that latest performance and the memory of their 29-10 victory in the reverse fixture against the Lions in December will give them confidence on Saturday.
Verdict: Stormers on the board
John Dobson’s men to make it a double over the Lions this term.
Bulls | Draw | Hollywoodbets Sharks
Even without injured players like Ryan Nortje, Elrigh Louw and Johan Goosen, the Bulls seem to be picking up real steam at just the right moment. Seven of their next nine games will be played at Loftus, including this weekend’s clash against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, and given they’re already sitting pretty in third with 35-log points and a game in hand on second-placed Glasgow (37), a third Grand Final appearance is seemingly very much on the cards.
John Plumtree’s men did well to win at Cardiff in January to climb to fourth and are now six-points off their opponents this week. They’ll take heart from their 20-17 win in the reverse fixture but given the way the Bulls are playing at present, and without the services of a rested Siya Kolisi at No 8, victory would be a tall order.
Verdict: Bulls on the board
With Willie le Roux pulling the strings at No 10, get on the Bulls to outdo the Durbanites in Pretoria.
Munster | Draw | Scarlets
In spite of their turbulent season so far, Munster have done a tremendous job at staying in the fight for knockout rugby, and they head into this game against Scarlets placed seventh. The visitors are one point and one place better off the Red Army, with the result of Saturday’s matchup potentially having huge ramifications as the season comes
to a head. With some massive ties still to come for Dwayne Peel’s troops, getting a result in Limerick would do wonders for their playoff bid but they should ultimately come unstuck at Thomond Park.
Verdict: Munster on the board
The 2023 champions to hold off Scarlets and continue their upward trajectory.
Benetton | Draw | Ulster
Benetton could feel the brunt of a hurting Ulster side following the latter’s shock home loss to Zebre a few weeks back. Despite their home ground advantage, the Belfastians (ninth) won’t be in a forgiving mood and can force their way into the top eight with a big enough win. As things stand, both outfits are locked on 23-log points with the hosts two places back of their opponents this week.
Verdict: Ulster to win
Ulster to win comfortably in Treviso.
Connacht | Draw | Cardiff
Despite being just five points off the top eight, Connacht have plenty of work to do in the remaining rounds to remain relevant in the post-season. They’re 14th, surprising considering they topped Pool 1 of the Challenge Cup after producing some fine rugby, but will be out for blood against the Welshmen.
Cardiff are enjoying one of their most successful campaigns in recent memory and occupy fifth spot overall. Unfortunately though, much like the rest of the Welsh clubs, their lack of depth could let them down here, as it did against the Hollywoodbets Sharks at the end of January.
Verdict: Connacht on the minus
Connacht will be too good for Cardiff in Galway.
Sunday 16 February
Dragons | Draw | Glasgow Warriors
Dragons are still rooted to the bottom of the log with just a single win to show for their efforts all season, while the Glaswegians are in second. With both teams being shorn of their Six Nations internationals this weekend, the superior coaching structures in play at Warriors should see them victorious at Rodney Parade.
Verdict: Warriors on the board
Glasgow to down Dragons in Newport.
