Bulls and Sharks lead SA in URC, while Stormers and Lions struggle

SOUTH Africa’s four sides in the United Rugby Championship achieved mixed results during their season, with only the Bulls and Sharks reaching the final four as the Stormers bowed out in the quarter-finals.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

While it was a disappointing performance in another heart-breaking final for the Pretoria side, the Lions had a fourth consecutive season where they could not make a challenge for the playoff spots.

More and more questions are being raised about whether they have the players and coaching staff to stay competitive in the tournament.

Independent Media rated the season of the four SA franchises...

Bulls (runners-up)

Rating: A

It was a case of so close, but yet so far again for the men from Pretoria. After some strong performances to set them up for home playoffs in the quarters and semis, they were excellent in those games to set up a final against Leinster.

While they had some hiccups during the season, with bad losses here and there, a run of victories saw them go into the final with a squeaky-clean record.

That gave them the confidence that they could cause an upset against Leinster. A run of overseas victories added to it.

In the end, they failed for a third time to triumph in a final, and had to be happy with second place.

Match of the Season: They had some outstanding victories overseas, especially towards the end of the round-robin season.

But their semi-final win over a Springbok-laden Sharks side capped off their abilities. At a stage in that game, they played with 12 men and were 13 for the opening minutes in the second half.

Yet, they managed to defend with aplomb to keep the Sharks out to clinch the game.

Player of the Season: Wilco Louw. He scrummed nearly every opposition he faced into oblivion. The Bok prop had one of his best campaigns in a blue jersey, and it is no wonder that he is fully back into the national conversation.

Sharks (semi-finals)