South Africa’s die-hard rugby followers might be glued to their seats on Saturday because the 4 home franchises go head-to-head in gripping native derbies in spherical 11 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, which may have a big effect on the groups’ log standings.
The Lions will host the Vodacom Bulls in Johannesburg at 14h30 in what is about to be an exciting Jukskei Derby, whereas the Hollywoodbets Sharks will welcome the DHL Stormers to Durban at 17h00 of their second successive Coastal Derby, the place the consequence from Cape City final week will function an enormous motivational issue for each groups.
As issues stand, the DHL Stormers (36 factors) are second on the desk, trailing log-leaders the Glasgow Warriors by three factors, with Leinster, Cardiff, and the fifth-placed Munster sizzling on their heels.
Solely 4 factors separate the seventh-placed Lions (24 factors) and ninth-placed Vodacom Bulls (20 factors), with the 11thplaced Hollywoodbets Sharks (19 factors) trailing the Pretoria aspect by just one level, that means there may very well be a shake-up on the standings relying on the outcomes.
The Lions might be decided to interrupt their disappointing cycle by which they registered back-to-back attracts within the EPCR Problem Cup and Vodacom URC competitions after they tackle the Vodacom Bulls, who additionally come off two morale-boosting away victories over Part Paloise (Investec Champions Cup) and Edinburgh (Vodacom URC), at Ellis Park.
Spicing up the conflict much more, each groups have registered 4 victories of their 9 Vodacom URC matches thus far, though the Lions’ draw final week and further bonus factors have seen them prime the Pretoria aspect on the desk, whereas they may even look to construct on their simpler assault within the competitors thus far, by which they scored 250 factors to the opposition’s 211.
They’ll, nonetheless, be cautious of the truth that the Vodacom Bulls have leaked 17 factors fewer than them within the competitors up to now, and with two wins out of two at house within the showpiece, they may financial institution on their house floor benefit to see them double up on their 43-33 victory in opposition to the Pretoria aspect in Spherical 6 – a consequence that can undoubtedly increase their confidence.
That stated, the Pretoria aspect have solely gained two of their six matches away from house this season – the final of which was their nail-biting 19-17 victory final week in Scotland – which can bolster their confidence going into the match.
Apparently, the Lions have solely suffered one defeat in opposition to an area workforce this season, whereas the Vodacom Bulls have but to win one, which can set the scene for an entertaining match on the iconic stadium in Doornfontein.
The conflict at Hollywoodbets Kings Park between the Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers might be equally exhilarating after the KwaZulu-Natalians stunned the Capetonians on their house patch final week with a 30-19 victory, which introduced their unbeaten run within the competitors to an abrupt halt and resulted in them dropping their first-place standing on the desk.
The victory marked the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ second in a row following their complete 50-12 victory in opposition to Clermont within the Investec Champions Cup, whereas the DHL Stormers’ defeat marked solely their second throughout each competitions this season.
The Cape aspect will draw inspiration from the truth that they’ve gained all 4 of their away video games within the Vodacom URC thus far, however they may actually not underestimate the hosts, who’ve every little thing to realize within the remaining stretch of the pool phases because the scramble for quarter-final locations intensifies.
The statistics might favour the Capetonians, who’ve scored 250 factors to 186 by the Durbanites, and conceded 125 factors to 234 by the house aspect, however final week’s consequence rubberstamped the truth that something may occur in derby matches, that means neither workforce will really feel that they’re the agency favourites going into the conflict.
In the meantime, the URC has confirmed that the Spherical 13 fixture between the DHL Stormers and Dragons has been adjusted, and can now be performed in Cape City on Sunday, 22 March, moderately than the unique date on 21 March.
Match Info:
Lions v Vodacom Bulls
Date: Saturday, 31 January
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
SA Time: 14h30
Referee: Morne Ferreira
TV: SuperSport
Hollywoodbets Sharks v DHL Stormers
Date: Saturday, 31 January
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
SA Time: 17h00
Referee: Christopher Allison
TV: SuperSport
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
