Sharks, Lions feel the heat as crunch round looms
OPINION: The Bulls, Sharks and Lions head into the fourth week of the United Rugby Championship with everything to prove regarding their defence and game management.
It’s been an interesting week in South African rugby, and the reactions to recent results speak volumes for the varying standards at the respective franchises.
The Stormers look like a more complete side this season, and the stats speak to that balance.
Only the Bulls and Glasgow Warriors have scored more points and tries over the first three rounds of the URC, while the Stormers defence has been the best on show, conceding just 10 points and two tries.
John Dobson’s charges have integrated a smart tactical-kicking approach into their attack – much like the Springboks did in the recent Rugby Championship – and rank second in the URC for kicks from hand (85).
The Stormers did not produce the most clinical display in Llanelli last Friday, yet managed to beat Scarlets 34-0.
Despite winning the past three matches and moving to the top of the standings, the coaches and players continue to talk about improvement ahead of the coming clash against Zebre in Parma.
While they’ve been good in recent rounds – the 35-0 victory against a Leinster side stacked with internationals was a statement – they’re well placed to build, and may well finish this five-match block as the leading team in the tournament.
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Consider how the Stormers’ performances have contrasted those of the Bulls in recent weeks.
Johan Ackermann’s side has won two from three, and the results suggest there is no cause for alarm just yet.
As many have observed, Ackermann was a late replacement for ousted Director of Rugby Jake White.
It will take time for the new coach to implement plans and structures that could potentially transform the Bulls from perennial finalists into champions.
At the same time, one can understand why the upper management at the Bulls HQ has lambasted the most recent performance against Ulster in Belfast, which culminated in a 7-28 loss.
That reaction speaks to the standards that have been set at the Bulls over the past few years.
While they haven’t managed to win any major trophies, they’ve been the leading franchise in South Africa, and among the very best in the 16-team tournament.
With that in mind, a 21-point defeat to Ulster is not good enough.
Overall, their defence has been poor. They’ve leaked as many points as they’ve scored (99) and almost as many tries (14).
Internally, the players have been accused of lacking attitude and composure, and going by the performance against Ulster alone, it’s hard to disagree.
But as Ackermann himself has suggested, this is no time to panic.
The reaction to the Ulster result may well lead to a better display against Connacht this Friday, and in later rounds.
The Bulls have a number of issues to address regarding their game plan, but there’s still time to salvage the current tour.
They have to beat Connacht this Friday, but the real test will be the visit to Glasgow thereafter, where their physicality and defence will face the sternest of examinations against Franco Smith’s attack-minded outfit.
Over at the Sharks and Lions, there is greater cause for panic and alarm.
Despite all their resources, the Sharks can’t seem to get it right.
Expectations were certainly tempered when they departed for a three-match tour that included fixtures against Glasgow, the Dragons and Leinster.
And yet, the Sharks would have targeted that second game in Newport as an opportunity to bank four and possibly five log points.
The Dragons finished 15th in the first three editions of the URC, and dead last in 2024/25.
As a team stacked with Boks and with aspirations of hosting a semifinal, the Sharks should have targeted a losing bonus-point from the other two fixtures, at the very least.
As it was, John Plumtree’s side returned to South Africa with just two log points, and with zero wins from three.
They may have secured a 17-17 draw in Newport, but it’s worth noting that the Dragons have lost their other two matches by substantial margins – 21-42 to Ulster and 0-49 to Glasgow.
That puts the second round result in Newport into perspective.
The quality of the defence and tactical kicking remains a concern, as does the level of discipline.
Only the Dragons (35) have conceded more penalties than the Sharks (34) after three rounds.
The Sharks will have the opportunity to set the record straight against Ulster this Saturday, and build momentum ahead of the subsequent match against Scarlets.
Given their poor start, they may be under pressure to rack up 10 points over the next two games – and yet, they would do well to address their defensive issues, and strike a greater balance overall.
Meanwhile, the Lions continue their downward spiral.
All signs point to another disappointing campaign in which they finish outside the top eight – for the fifth year in a row.
Cash van Rooyen’s charges were handed a more favourable draw this season – a tour to Cardiff, Parma and Treviso is far less daunting than a sojourn that includes fixtures in Glasgow and Dublin, for example.
Yet the Lions failed to meet the most modest of expectations, losing all three matches and returning to South Africa with just a single log point.
Van Rooyen opted to used many of his URC players for the preceding Currie Cup campaign, in an attempt to build momentum for the all-important tournament.
The results and performances, however, suggest that the plan hasn’t worked.
Their defence continues to leak tries and, somewhat surprisingly, the attack has lost its edge.
The Lions failed to score more than 20 points in each of their three tour matches.
Overall, the decision to field some players for 10 consecutive weeks seems to have backfired.
The Lions looked particularly tired and listless in the most recent 15-41 defeat to Benetton.
Can they turn things around?
Unfortunately, Lions fans have every reason to doubt that the same group of coaches and decision-makers can produce a different set of results.
They’re ideally placed to make a statement this weekend against the Scarlets at Ellis Park.
The Scarlets are the only team ranked lower than the Lions at this stage – although it should be noted that the Welsh side still has a game in hand, as their second round fixture against Connacht has been postponed to a later date.
But if the Lions lose to the Scarlets this Saturday – which is possible, given the Scarlets won 32-19 at Ellis Park this past May – will the powers that be wake up to the fact that change is overdue?
It won’t get any easier when the Lions host Ulster in round five, and it’s likely that the Lions will finish this part of the season with four or five losses.
And in that event, the reaction – or lack thereof – could speak volumes for the current standards at the once proud Johannesburg-based franchise.
