The Lions will look to make it two from two against the Sharks when they head to Durban for the final local derby of the round-robin URC stages. Photo: Lions Rugby
Image: Lions
Despite their season struggles in the United Rugby Championship (URC), the Stormers can retake the South African Shield after this weekend.
After defeating the Bulls 19-16, the Cape outfit leapfrogged their bitter rivals into first place on the SA log, and only the Sharks can still win the title with one game left.
They face the Lions on Saturday in Durban in the only URC match of the weekend. After failing to grab points from their trip to Ellis Park, the Durban side must do it all at Kings Park.
It was a lacklustre display by John Plumtree's men as the Johannesburg troops ran rampant in difficult weather to put six tries past their opponents in a one-sided affair. Plumtree will want a positive response from his players. The team needs one and their supporters will demand an emphatic one.
If the Durbanites had picked up a win, they would likely have sealed the SA Shield for the first time. They would've been within a win to leapfrog the Bulls on the overall log too. But, they sit in fourth place now seven points adrift of the Jake White-coached side and 10 behind the second-placed Glasgow Warriors.
The Lions will do themselves and the Stormers a favour should they be able to get another bonus point win in Durban. While they briefly tasted the top eight on Saturday afternoon, they dropped down to ninth position again after other results did not go their way. With only the Kings Park duel on the cards, the Johannesburg outfit can ensure they remain in a knockout spot with a win.
They need four points to break into the top six and that should be their only focus as they prepare for Durban's hostility. They haven't been able to sting successive wins together since early in the season, but head coach Ivan van Rooyen will hope they can turn a page in the final SA derby.
The Lions need that continuity to ensure they break into and stay in the top eight. They have a good chance of making it and getting into a first-ever Champions Cup position. It will all start in Durban on Saturday and this will arguably be one of their most important matches of the season.