It was a dramatic yet rewarding weekend for three of the four SA teams in the URC this past weekend as the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers registered crucial victories to stay on course as the playoff stages reach boiling point.
However, there was bitter disappointment for the Lions who succumbed to their fifth defeat in a row, which dealt a massive blow to hopes of reaching the top eight.
Before getting into all the latest permutations, though, the upcoming fixtures to note this weekend will see the Bulls kick things off for the SA teams when they play away to Glasgow on Friday night (20:35 SA time).
The Lions are first in action on Saturday when they host Connacht (16:00 kick off), before the Stormers take on Benetton in Cape Town (18:15 kick off SA time).
Then in the final fixture for the SA teams this weekend, the Sharks are in Ireland to take on Ulster (20:35 kick off time).
How did things stand for SA teams in the URC?
Round 15 was filled with ups and downs as the Sharks scored a late try to edge out Edinburgh 18-17 in Scotland, while a penalty goal in the closing minutes saw the Bulls topple Munster 16-13 in Limerick as both teams in the top four won their games in the Northern Hemisphere.
At home in South Africa, an overturned try by Connacht at the death paved the way for the Stormers to snatch a 34-29 victory in Cape Town, but unfortunately the Lions were outplayed 42-31 by Benetton in Johannesburg.
These results saw the Bulls – who became the first SA team to beat Munster in Limerick as they completed the “Irish Slam” in the process – hold onto third place on the standings (54 points).
The Sharks remain in fourth place (49 points), and the Stormers leap into eighth place (40 points), while the Lions finished the round in 14th position (31 points) with three rounds of pool matches remaining.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW THE LOCAL FRANCHISES HAVE PERFORMED?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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