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The United Rugby Championship (URC) remains on pause due to the Six Nations, but two South African teams will be in action this coming weekend.
Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg will be the venue when the Lions host the Sharks in a postponed round eight fixture.
The two sides will enter the clash in contrasting forms, to say the least, and the three-week hiatus could either be a gift or a curse for one of the teams.
There’s a lot at stake, and ATR highlights three storylines that could make the clash worthwhile.
The hunt for top 8 is on:
It’s quite obvious that both the Sharks and Lions could see themselves miss out on a quarterfinal spot this season.
As things stand, the Sharks occupy ninth place on the log table, while the Lions sit one place below them in 10th. The duo have the same number of points, 24, and they’re separated by points difference.
Both teams also have eight matches remaining this season, so there’s very little margin for error.
The equation is quite simple: they have to create momentum, string a couple of wins together, and begin pushing up the log table.
Inconsistent performances could cost them an opportunity to finish in the top eight, and that’s what both coaches, Ivan van Rooyen and JP Pietersen, will look to avoid.
The Sharks are favourites heading into this weekend’s clash, but as we’ve seen in the past, rugby isn’t played on past results, and it’ll all boil down to which team produces the goods on the day. They’ll be boosted by the club’s decision to hire JP Pietersen on a permanent basis after a stellar showing as interim coach.
In whichever way it pans out, the team that secures maximum points will put itself in a healthy position to climb the log.
The significance of the SA Shield:
A comprehensive win for the Sharks this weekend could well see them defend their SA Shield title.
Now, you might be wondering, what’s the importance of the SA Shield? Well, besides claiming bragging rights, winning the Shield cements a team’s dominance over its rivals in the course of two-legged matches.
The Sharks sit atop the SA Shield standings with 16 points after three wins in four matches against local rivals. They’ve defeated the DHL Stormers twice and beat the Vodacom Bulls in Durban but have yet to overcome the Lions.
A win for the Lions, on the other hand, could strengthen their chances of winning the Shield for the first time. However, they’ll have to play their socks off against a decent team selected by Pietersen.
Whichever scenario pans out, claiming the piece of silverware could prove key for either side’s confidence heading into the final stretch of the season.
How momentum could influence the game:
As mentioned earlier, rugby isn’t played on past results or history, but momentum heading into the game matters a lot.
The Sharks are undeniably favourites to win the clash, considering their stunning run of form in recent matches.
When the two sides met earlier this season, the Lions stunned the Durbanites 23-22 after a last-gasp try, which was scored by replacement scrumhalf, Haashim Pead.
Since then, the Lions have failed to replicate that performance and have been underwhelming in all competitions, to say the least. Their last outing resulted in a humiliating 52-17 loss against the Bulls.
The hosts will be under all sorts of pressure to deliver in front of their home supporters, while the Sharks will view the clash as another mountain they need to climb to close in on the leading pack.
Momentum will count for a lot, but it will all boil down to which team uses its opportunities best and capitalises on the other’s mistakes.
