Lions, Stormers with plenty to do as SA franchises gear up for crucial URC playoff push

THERE is still an outside chance for all four South African franchises to reach the playoffs of the United Rugby Championship (URC) when the tournament hits the business end next weekend.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

While the Bulls and Sharks are the pacesetters of the local teams in the top four, chasing defending champions the Glasgow Warriors for second place, the Stormers and Lions have work to do in their final four games to get into the top eight.

The Cape side is in a more comfortable spot than the men from Ellis Park, who must hope for a few results to go their way while winning all their final games, to break into a knockout spot.

Bulls

While fighting in the Challenge Cup, the Jake White-coached outfit will have one eye on catching the Wartiors who are only five points ahead of them on the URC log.

But, the tricky part will be to navigate both competitions, starting on Saturday with Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup quarters.

A victory will give them some much-needed momentum ahead of facing former champions Munster next Saturday, and Glasgow the week after that. It’s late in the season, so White must play his strongest side over the three weekends away from Loftus Versfeld. It’s the only way they'll be able to stay in the European tournament and how they will catch up with the defending URC winners. They will want to end in second place which will secure a home playoff until at least the semi-final.

Sharks