While only nine points separate positions three to 12 on the United Rugby Championship log, the Stormers (12th) and Lions (13th) will venture into dangerous territory if they can’t pick up any wins in their local derbies over the next two months.
Currently, the Bulls (third) and Sharks (fourth) are cruising in home play-off spots, but the other two South African franchises’ hopes are dwindling after recent losses. And things are only going to get tougher as the desperation fuels them when they get their campaigns back under way.
The only teams in action next weekend will be the Stormers and the Jake White-coached Bulls, who will complete their Round 1 duel after a postponement due to the Currie Cup final overlapping with the URC start.
It is the perfect opportunity for the Bulls to stretch their lead over their closest local rivals, the Sharks, and bagging that elusive first win in Cape Town.
While the Cape outfit are struggling to find their rhythm and are sitting outside the top-eight play-off spots, they always tend to stand up against their arch enemies.
In five matches since the inception of the URC, there’s never been a victory for White in the Mother City, and he will be eager for his side to break that duck. A full house of points, something they will be after, will bring the Bulls within two points of second place.
Having a game in hand over the Glasgow Warriors (second), the Bulls can launch their chase to end behind Leinster, as it’s unlikely that any side will catch the unbeaten Irish province sitting comfortably at the top.
A victory next weekend could elevate the Stormers into the Top 8 but they know that’s easier said than done.
They have the Bulls, Lions and the return North-South Derby at Loftus Versfeld as their next three clashes. These local derbies could determine their survival in the tournament.
Three losses, and they may have to kiss their chances of a second URC title goodbye.
After starting their campaign with four wins, the last four matches have all come with demoralising losses for the Lions, who are currently in 13th place.
While they are only back on the field in two weeks’ time, with two games in hand, they’ll take comfort in the fact that they’ll face the Stormers in Johannesburg. And after next weekend’s North-South Derby, the Lions will know exactly what type of Cape side are heading to Ellis Park.
The return of injured players will boost the Lions, but head coach Ivan van Rooyen will demand a better home performance than last weekend against the Bulls.
They didn’t play towards their potential, and if they find themselves on the losing end again, things could spiral ahead of the return Jukskei Derby against the Bulls and back-to-back clashes against the Sharks.
John Plumtree’s Durbanites will travel to Pretoria and Johannesburg for their next two fixtures knowing they have their fate in their own hands.
While injuries could play a role in how they fare against the Bulls and Lions, they showed last weekend in beating Cardiff away in Wales that they can overcome those obstacles.
They’ll have a home play-off in their sights over the next six games, with a Kings Park clash against Leinster in March arguably the toughest one after the upcoming local derbies.