Will the 'real' Leinster pitch up?
STAT ATTACK: Table-topping Leinster has notoriously sent second-string outfits on their previous United Rugby Championship tours to South Africa.
The question now begs, which side will tour South Africa in the 2024/5 edition of the competition – where they will face the Bulls and Sharks respectively?
The unbeaten Irish powerhouse is sitting pretty at the top on 57 points, with defending URC champions Glasgow Warriors 13 points behind them in second spot.
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With the Six Nations concluded and a Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against Harlequins at home on April 5, the four-time Champions Cup winners are expected to rest their big names as they historically have when they tour South Africa.
Their record in South Africa, however, makes for bleak reading.
Leinster have won a solitary match in seven matches in the Republic which came against the Lions at Ellis Park by a mere three points during the 2022/23 URC season.
They will face the Bulls this coming weekend, which has been a thorn in their side since the South African franchises joined the URC (expanded from the Pro 14).
They suffered a 7-62 defeat at the hands of the Bulls during the 2022/23 campaign when they fielded their academy outfit and came up short during last season’s edition in the semifinal at Loftus Versfeld.
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The Bulls were also responsible for setting up an all South African inaugural URC Final against arch-rivals Stormers when they edged Leinster in Dublin by 27-26.
Leinster, for all intents and purposes, can afford to write off their two matches in South Africa and will still have at least a three-point advantage over Glasgow Warriors depending on how their results pan out.
The Bulls will undoubtedly play their strongest possible side as will the Sharks, with both teams chasing a possible top-three finish heading into the play-offs.
However, they would’ve considered these stats and might just select a group mixed with youthful and experienced players and target one win, which will most likely be against the Sharks in a fortnight.
The Bulls will see this match as an opportunity to strengthen their position on the table and overtake Glasgow Warriors in second place as they look to get over that final hurdle, having lost two Finals in the last three years.
