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This weekend, South Africa’s four Vodacom United Rugby Championship teams are preparing for a Welsh challenge, with high stakes as the cross-hemisphere event moves into the critical penultimate pool round.
The Vodacom Bulls have already clinched a spot in the top four, but eyes are on the Hollywoodbets Sharks, who seek to secure a home quarter-final. The DHL Stormers and Emirates Lions also need to claim victories as the Race to Eight heats up.
Log-leaders Leinster (67 points), defending champions Glasgow Warriors (59), and the Vodacom Bulls (58) are assured of home quarter-finals. Nevertheless, the Bulls will battle in the final two rounds to try and achieve a second-place finish.
If the Hollywoodbets Sharks (currently fourth with 53 points) win, they will cement their vital home quarter-final placement, leading fifth-placed Cardiff by seven log points.
The DHL Stormers (sixth with 45 points) could advance to fifth if they win, especially if the Vodacom Bulls defeat Cardiff. The Emirates Lions need to win both remaining matches with bonus points to keep their playoff hopes alive. A loss this weekend would severely impact their chances.
This weekend, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will take on the 11th-placed Ospreys in Durban on Friday. Two matches are scheduled for Saturday: the Vodacom Bulls will host Cardiff in Pretoria, and the DHL Stormers will welcome the last-placed Dragons in Cape Town. The Emirates Lions will round out the action on Sunday, facing the seventh-placed Scarlets in Johannesburg.
These upcoming rounds are especially important for several local players, including the DHL Stormers trio of Ruben van Heerden, Leolin Zas, and Warrick Gelant, Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Jordan Hendrikse and Siya Kolisi, and Emirates Lions’ Edwill van der Merwe and Quan Horn, all vying for the Vodacom URC Awards to be announced following the pool stages.
In Durban, the Hollywoodbets Sharks are aiming for their third consecutive victory after wins against Edinburgh and Ulster. With favorable KwaZulu-Natal weather and the backing of their enthusiastic home crowd, they enter the match against the Ospreys with confidence.
The Sharks have recorded 11 wins out of 16 matches, while the Welsh side has secured seven victories. However, they will remain cautious as the Ospreys have scored four more tries this season and have allowed just seven additional points in defense, indicating a potentially close match.
Both teams understand that the Ospreys are still in contention for the Race to Eight, and strong performances could lead to an unexpected upset.
The Vodacom Bulls are also pursuing a sixth consecutive Vodacom URC victory against Cardiff, entering the match with confidence after recent wins against Munster and the defending champions Glasgow.
Cardiff recognizes that a win could reinforce their position in the top eight, while a loss could jeopardize their playoff chances ahead of their match against the DHL Stormers next week.
The Vodacom Bulls are favored to win, boasting superior records in both attack and defense—key areas they hope to exploit this weekend.
The DHL Stormers aim to secure a complete points haul against the Dragons at DHL Stadium, especially given that the visitors have managed only one win compared to the hosts’ eight throughout the competition.
Statistics heavily favor the Stormers, who have scored 425 points and conceded 382, while the Dragons have managed 308 points scored and 534 points conceded. Nevertheless, with nothing to lose, the Welsh team will be keen to make a statement and salvage some pride in their final two matches this season.
In Johannesburg, the clash between the Emirates Lions and Scarlets promises to be an exhilarating contest, with both sides battling for survival.
The Johannesburg team will enter the match with renewed hope after their 26-7 victory over Connacht, despite sitting six places below the Scarlets in the standings.
The Emirates Lions have lost only once at home this season, while the Scarlets have proven more effective in both attack and defense. As such, the hosts need to deliver a standout performance to secure a win.
With all teams fiercely competing for a place in the Race to Eight, each of the four matches is set to be an exciting penultimate pool round.
Match Information:
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Ospreys
Date: Friday, 9 May
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
SA Time: 19h00
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
TV: SuperSport
Vodacom Bulls v Cardiff
Date: Saturday, 10 May
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
SA Time: 16h00
Referee: Eoghan Cross
TV: SuperSport
DHL Stormers v Dragons
Date: Saturday, 10 May
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
SA Time: 18h15
Referee: Andrea Piardi
TV: SuperSport
Emirates Lions v Scarlets
Date: Sunday, 11 May
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
SA Time: 15h00
Referee: Andrew Brace
TV: SuperSport
