The upcoming derbies in the United Rugby Championship (URC) in Pretoria and Cape Town take on special significance because numerous Springboks players have joined the squads of the Stormers and Bulls. This occurred after both teams suffered defeats in previous matches outside their home grounds.
Stormers and Bulls decided to rest their national team players who participated in games in Perth to prepare them for the decisive confrontations this week against the Sharks and Lions, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Sharks and Lions performed successfully in the first two rounds of the URC on South African soil. The Sharks managed to score a full 10 points, taking first place in the table of 16 teams, while the Lions secured nine points and remain in third place.
The Sharks brought back their Springboks players last week, and all six played a key role in a convincing victory over Leinster champions. The Lions did the same at home against the Ospreys, although their Springboks squad is limited to players Morne van den Berg and Quan Horn.
Analysis of the upcoming derbies
These two derbies can be viewed from two perspectives: on one hand, the visiting teams—Sharks and Lions—possess confidence and a good tempo of play; on the other hand, Stormers and Bulls have the advantage of home ground and have received quality reinforcement.
The first match will take place at 13:30 at Loftus Versfeld stadium. The early start is scheduled to avoid possible thunderstorms at Highveld, as the rainy season approaches in the summer.
Bulls coach, Johan Ackermann, tactfully commented on the difficult travel week, noting that the team arrived home late on Tuesday after a 26-22 defeat to Munster, and that some players fell ill during the journey.
Despite this, looking at a team reinforced by influential players such as Handre Pollard, Canan Moodie, Cameron Hanekom, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Cobus Wiese, Johan Grobbelaar, and Gerhard Steenekamp, it is hard not to predict a Bulls victory. However, the author predicts that the margin will be smaller than many expect—a Bulls victory by seven points or less.
In the second match in Cape Town, starting at 16:00, the situation is similar: seven Springboks starters will join the Stormers before an audience of nearly 50,000 fans.
Undoubtedly, the Sharks have become a different team this season. They have demonstrated persistence and determination that has been absent for years, as well as a readiness to attack relentlessly, led by a bold group of young backfielders.
This trip to Cape Town will allow an assessment of how far the Sharks have progressed, and frankly, only two URC rounds have passed.
For context, consider the following two confrontations in key positions. At fullback, possibly the world's best fullback Damiaan Willemse will face the new bright player Zekhethelo Siyaya. At winger, 20-year-old Vusi Moyo from the Sharks against one of the most famous players in the game, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
In conclusion, this is a serious test for the recovering Sharks. They will give everything on the field, but the author believes that the Stormers will win by seven points or more.