The spluttering Stormers need to rediscover their identity quickly ahead of the table-topping Glasgow Warriors’ visit, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA.
On a weekend where South Africa’s Vodacom URC challenge took a hit with the Sharks all but dropping out of playoff contention, the Bulls and Lions led the way.
There are three rounds of the regular season remaining before the quarter-finals.
The Stormers (second), Lions (fourth) and Bulls (eighth) are all well-placed, but need to keep on winning to make sure their URC season extends beyond the middle of May.
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The STORMERS endured a difficult and emotional week following the passing of long-time manager Chippie Solomon and a potentially final appearance for stalwart Scarra Ntubeni.
There were tears aplenty at Cape Town Stadium ahead of kick-off against Connacht. When the match started, the Stormers were all over the show and it just got worse the longer the game went on.
Leinster (51 points) and the Lions (48) both won at the weekend to make up ground on the Stormers, who remain on 51.
Next up at Cape Town Stadium are the Glasgow Warriors, who top the standings, four points ahead of the Stormers, despite a heavy defeat to the Lions at Ellis Park.
However, it is doubtful Franco’s Smith’s side will be as poor again, and the Stormers will need to sort themselves out quickly for what is shaping up to be a crucial clash in determining who tops the log.
The LIONS produced the performance of the weekend in blowing away Glasgow.
White the Warriors made nine changes to their team, it was a statement performance from Ivan van Rooyen’s men who ran in eight tries in their 54-12 win.
The Joburg-based side’s fifth consecutive URC victory moved them up to fourth on the log.
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However, there is no time for resting on laurels as Ulster (47 points), Munster and Cardiff (both 46), Bulls (45) and ninth-placed Connacht (44) are all within striking distance.
The Lions next host the dangerous Connacht, before an arduous two-match tour where they will come up against Irish giants Leinster and Munster to round out their league-stage campaign.
The BULLS continue to hang tough and started their two-match tour to Wales with a 47-7 trouncing of Dragons in Newport on Friday night.
Next up is the 14th-placed Scarlets in Llanelli and the Bulls will be aiming for another five-point point haul to keep themselves in the playoff mix.
The Bulls will be targeting the teams above them but need to be mindful of Connacht, who sit just a point back.
Johan Ackermann’s side could do with a favour from their Jukskei neighbours, who welcome the Irish side to Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Bulls’ final two regular-season fixtures are against Italian sides Zebre and Benetton at home.
Coach JP Pietersen said the SHARKS had to win their last four matches to keep their playoff hopes alive, but they stumbled at the first hurdle against the Ospreys.
The loss leaves the Sharks in 11th place on 34 points – 11 outside the playoff spots.
There were mitigating factors in Swansea, not least the questionable uncontested scrums in the final quarter when the Sharks set-piece was utterly dominant.
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There was also the unnecessary challenge on midfield star Ethan Hooker after he had scored a try, which resulted in a dislocated shoulder.
The URC disciplinary committee may well look at the action by Ospreys wing Luke Morgan, as well as Pietersen’s remarks around the scrums.
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But none of that makes up for what has been a deeply underwhelming season for the side from Durban.
The Sharks play 12th-placed Edinburgh on Friday night.
Round 15 results
Edinburgh 31 Zebre 30
Ulster 21 Leinster 29
Dragons 7 Bulls 47
Stormers 24 Connacht 33
Lions 54 Glasgow Warriors 12
Scarlets 24 Cardiff 28
Benetton 15 Munster 45
Ospreys 21 Sharks 17
Round 16 fixtures (SA times)
Friday, 24 April
Cardiff vs Ospreys (8pm)
Edinburgh vs Sharks (8:45pm)
Zebre vs Dragons (8:45pm)
Saturday, 25 April
Stormers vs Glasgow Warriors (1:45pm)
Lions vs Connacht (4pm)
Munster vs Ulster (6:30pm)
Scarlets vs Bulls (8:45pm)
Benetton vs Leinster (8:45pm)
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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