URC, Round 15 - teams and predictions
SATURDAY PREVIEW: The pressure on the Sharks and Bulls in the United Rugby Championship will reach a new level as the race for play-off spots moves up a few notches.
The Sharks travel to Cape Town to face the Stormers and the Bulls host the Lions in Pretoria.
Saturday’s fixtures could prove to be decisive as every point will count with all but one of the 16 teams in the competition still in with a mathematical chance of making it to the quarterfinal stages.
The Stormers, who are currently in second place on the table with 54 points, will be eager to make the most of their home-ground advantage to stay ahead of the chasing pack – especially with the third-placed Ulster trailing them by only five points – for a possible home semifinal later in the competition.
Cape Town Stadium has become somewhat of a fortress for the Stormers and a win for the Cape Town side will secure them the SA Shield and a clean sweep over South African opponents this season.
💢@THESTORMERS‘ new official home the Cape Town Stadium will be sporting a new synthetic pitch.
🏉To read more, CLICK HERE: https://t.co/Iu2vqO3QJf#rugby #sports #Rugby365 #URC #CapeTownStadium #CapeTown pic.twitter.com/0dC0M6ZD8k— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) March 2, 2023
“The clean sweep is certainly a factor,” Stormers head coach John Dobson told reporters as the team prepare to face the Sharks.
“It could be something deep in their [players’] minds and it might cause them to chase a kick harder or something like that.
“However. we are very much a team defined by ourselves.”
“We played the Sharks four weeks ago but there was only one game in between [now and then] and therefore we can’t change much of our plan. We just have to be better.
“We can’t think about breaking a home winning streak, Ulster that is on our heels [on the log] or a clean sweep. It’s just about us being better.
“We have spoken about not being too outcome-based and rather just focusing on our performance.”
Stormers captain Deon Fourie has warned his team of complacency as they brace themselves for a fierce contest against the seventh-placed Sharks.
“Complaceseny could be a downfall,” Fourie said, adding: “And I think we just have to forget about things like bragging rights and a clean sweep and just focus on our goal.
“I know Sharks will come here wanting to avenge their 19-46 defeat in Durban four weeks ago, so they have more motivation.
“However, we just have to make sure we do not fall into a hole.”
When asked about the Sharks, Fourie said: ” Fassi is a great attacking player and him on the wing with his boot is going to test our defence and our back three.
“It is something we need to plan for. They are an exciting team and are coming down to Cape Town hurting so it could be dangerous for us.”
Fresh from a disappointing home defeat against Ulster last week in their postponed Round Six clash, the Sharks will have everything to play for and they know a defeat could place their spot in the top eight in jeopardy in the next few weeks.
However, a win in Cape Town does look almost impossible for Neil Powell’s men, who have lost two of their three URC matches to Stormers – with the other match playing out to a draw.
“We felt like we could have done better leading up to that Stormers game and we had a good week this week, so hopefully we will have a better performance since when we played them in Durban,” Powell said.
“We know they are a difficult team at home, they are the in-form team and they play good rugby, so it will take a good performance from us to give them a run for their money.
“If we implement our plan, hopefully, we can get success out of this game.”
Powell added: “We have four games left and we know what we need to do and this game will be the start of that phase.”
#ICYMI: The Bulls are on edge heading into the final rounds of the United Rugby Championship 👇#URC #Bulls #Lions #BULvLIO https://t.co/O24VoQFl0q
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) March 3, 2023
The Trans-Jukskei derby
The Lions can do the Sharks a big favour when they face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
The Bulls, currently in sixth position on the log, lead the Sharks by only one point, and they know that a defeat could see them potentially fighting for a play-off spot.
The Lions, meanwhile, have everything to play for with the team currently in 12th position and trailing the eighth-placed Connacht by a mere six points. They also come off a morale-boosting win against the fourth-ranked Glasgow Warriors last weekend, which will give them confidence going into the clash.
The men from Johannesburg will be keen to end their drought against South African teams, the side have not beaten a South African opponent since their 37-19 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town in December 2021.
With the Pretoria outfit having won eight of their 14 games so far to only six by the Johannesburgers, and the team boasting a better record on attack and defence than their Gauteng neighbours, they will enter the match as favourites on paper.
However, Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White warned his team not to underestimate the Lions.
“This match is an extremely important match,” White said.
“We placed ourselves in this position and we are desperate for the win.
“We have an opportunity to advance to the play-offs if we manage to win this fixture and other matches, so there is no such thing as underestimating the Lions.
“The Lions played very well last week. Their win over Glasgow Warriors really boosted their confidence.
“And with this group, it is always a difficult match against the Lions.”
In Saturday’s other matches, top-of-the-table Leinster heads to Scotland to face Edinburgh, Ospreys host Italian side Benetton, Dragons welcome Connacht and Cardiff face Ulster.
Saturday, March 4
Stormers v Sharks
(Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 14.30; 12.30 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Stormers by 12 points.
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Ernst van Rhyn, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg
Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Curwin Bosch (captain), 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Emile van Heerden, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 James Venter, 21 Phepsi Buthelezi, 22 Cameron Wright. 23 Yaw Penxe.
Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Bulls v Lions
(Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 16.45; 14.45 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Bulls by 10 points.
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 David Kriel, 11 Sibusiso Nkosi, 10 Morne Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 WJ Steenkamp, , 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Jacques Du Plessis, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Cyle Brink,
21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Harold Vorster
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Sibahle Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Rynhardt Runsburger, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Ruhan Delport, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Andries Coetzee.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Griffon Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Edinburgh v Leinster
(Edinburgh Stadium, Edinburgh – Kick-off: 17.05; 17.05 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Leinster by 22 points.
Teams:
Edinburgh: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Damien Hoyland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 James Lang, 11 Wes Goosen, 10 Charlie Savala, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Luke Crosbie (captain), 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 Lee-Roy Atalifo, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Jamie Jack, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Jamie Hodgson, 20 Nick Haining, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Chris Dean
Leinster: 15 Ciarán Frawley, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Liam Turner, 12 Jamie Osborne, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Max Deegan, 7 Scott Penny, 6 Rhys Ruddock (captain), 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 John McKee, 1 Michael Milne
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Jack Boyle, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 Will Connors, 21 Nick McCarthy, 22 Charlie Tector, 23 Rob Russell
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Ian Kenny (Scotland)
TMO: Jon Mason (Wales)
Ospreys v Benetton
(Liberty Stadium, Swansea – Kick-off: 17.15; 18.15 Italian time; 17.15 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Ospreys by five points.
Teams:
Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Luke Morgan, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 8 Morgan Morris 7 Ethan Roots, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Huw Sutton, 4 Rhys Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Nicky Smith (captain)
Replacements: 16 Tom Cowan-Dickie, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Rhys Henry, 19 James Fender, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Matthew Aubrey, 22 Jack Walsh, 23 Michael Collins
Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Joaquin Riera, 12 Filippo Drago, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage (captain), 8 Riccardo Favretto, 7 Alessandro Izekor, 6 Giovanni Pettinelli, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Marco Lazzaroni, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Lapo Frangini, 17 Cherif Traoré, 18 Filippo Alongi, 19 Henry Time-Stowers, 20 Matteo Meggiato, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Giacomo Da Re, 23 Marco Zanon
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Mike English (Wales), Carwyn Williams (Wales)
TMO: Mark Patton (Ireland)
Cardiff v Ulster
(Arms Park, Cardiff – Kick-off: 19.35; 19.35 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Ulster by sevens points.
Teams:
Cardiff: 15 Ben Thomas, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Max Llewellyn, 11 Jason Harries, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 James Ratti, 7 Ellis Jenkins, 6 Josh Turnbull (captain), 5 Seb Davies, 4 Lopeti Timani, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Kristian Dacey, 1 Rhys Carré
Replacements: 16 Liam Belcher, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 21 Ellis Bevan, 22 Aled Summerhill, 23 Matthew Morgan
Ulster: 15 Mike Lowry, 14 Ben Moxham, 13 James Hume, 12 Stewart Moore, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 Marcus Rea, 6 Dave McCann, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Kieran Treadwell, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Rob Herring (captain), 1 Rory Sutherland
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Alan O’Connor, 20 Harry Sheridan, 21 John Cooney, 22 Jude Postlethwaite, 23 Ethan McIlroy
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Simon Rees (Wales)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (Scotland)
Dragons v Connacht
(Rodney Parade, Newport – Kick-off: 19.35; 19.35 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Connacht by eight points.
Teams:
Dragons: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 Jared Rosser, 13 Steff Hughes, 12 Max Clark, 11 Ashton Hewitt, 10 Will Reed, 9 Rhodri Williams (captain), 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Taine Basham, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Ben Carter, 4 Matthew Screech, 3 Leon Brown, 2 Bradley Roberts, 1 Rhodri Jones
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 George Nott, 20 Harrison Keddie, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Jordan Williams
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Shayne Bolton, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Cathal Forde, 11 John Porch, 10 Jack Carty (captain), 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Paul Boyle, 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Niall Murray, 4 Josh Murphy, 3 Jack Aungier, 2 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 1 Denis Buckley
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Sam Illo, 19 Oisin Dowling, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Colm Reilly, 22 David Hawkshaw, 23 Shane Jennings
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Jason Bessant (Wales), Mark Butcher (Wales)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)
