The Bulls and Stormers return to Vodacom URC action in a South African derby double-header on Saturday, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA.
The Lions host the Stormers while the Sharks travel to Pretoria to face the Bulls with URC playoff positions on the line and the SA Shield still up for grabs.
There is a full round of URC fixtures this weekend before the competition takes another break until 20 March due to the Six Nations.
However, the Bulls and Stormers will meet at Loftus Versfeld on 14 March in a rescheduled round-eight fixture.
URC SA SHIELD: Lions still in hunt as Sharks falter
The STORMERS went unbeaten through the first nine rounds of the URC before suffering back-to-back defeats to the Sharks.
That saw the Cape side drop down to third on the log with 36 points, behind the Glasgow Warriors (44) and Leinster (40), and ahead of Ulster and Cardiff only on points difference.
John Dobson’s team desperately needs a positive result to regain momentum as the business end of the season approaches.
However, Ellis Park poses a daunting challenge and the Stormers will do well to match the high-intensity pace of the hosts at altitude after coming off a three-week break.
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The LIONS are South Africa’s Jekyll and Hyde team. Who else can go from shipping 52 points at home in a Jukskei derby to trouncing South Africa’s form team?
Coach Ivan van Rooyen must wish he can bottle the lightning from his side’s impressive 34-22 win over the Sharks on Saturday.
Which Lions team will turn up against the Stormers at Ellis Park is anyone’s guess, but on their day they have the firepower to run anyone off their feet.
The Lions are seventh on the log with 29 points – four ahead of the Bulls and six behind Munster. The Bulls, though, have a game in hand (against the Stormers) and there is a chasing pack ready to pounce on any slip-up.
The BULLS will be eager to get going again after an impressive run of form before the URC break.
After a seven-match losing streak which stretched into the new year, the Bulls found form in the Investec Champions Cup and URC with wins over Pau, Edinburgh and the Lions. Johan Ackermann and his rejigged coaching team seem to finally be getting the best out of this Springbok-laden Bulls outfit.
The Sharks won 21-12 when the teams met in Durban in round seven, but Loftus Versfeld poses a different challenge.
The eighth-placed Bulls (25 points) will be aware of just how tight the race for playoff spots is, with the Ospreys (25), Sharks (24), Benetton and Connacht (both 21) breathing down their necks.
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The SHARKS came royally unstuck at Ellis Park in Pietersen’s first match as permanent head coach, but have the chance to make immediate amends when they travel to the other side of the Juskei to take on the Bulls.
Against the Lions there was little evidence of the impressive performances which blew away the Stormers on consecutive Saturdays. However, there were mitigating factors, not the least the absence of a host of frontline Springboks who were being rested.
Expect near full-strength lineups and an aerial battle royale at Loftus – a glimpse of South African rugby’s strength ahead of a huge season for the Springboks.
Round 12 fixtures
Friday, 27 February
Cardiff vs Leinster (9pm)
Edinburgh vs Scarlets (9:45pm)
Saturday, 28 February
Lions vs Stormers (2:30pm)
Bulls vs Sharks (5pm)
Connacht vs Glasgow Warriors (5pm)
Dragons vs Benetton (7:30pm)
Munster vs Zebre (7:30pm)
Ospreys vs Ulster (9:45pm)

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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