PICK OF THE SPORT: Four South African teams, one final shot, this weekend decides who makes the URC playoffs and who goes home, writes Dylan Bettencourt.
It’s the final weekend of the URC regular season, and South Africa’s top sides are still in the thick of the playoff race.
The Bulls, currently second, can secure a home quarter-final with a win over the Dragons on Saturday afternoon. With Leinster likely to finish first, the Bulls will be aiming to lock in that crucial second spot and avoid a trip to Dublin until the final.
The Sharks, sitting fourth, wrap up against the Scarlets. They’ve won three of their last five and will want to end strong and build momentum heading into the knockouts. A bonus-point win could even lift them to third if Glasgow slip up.
The Stormers kick off the South African charge on Friday against Edinburgh. Currently in fifth, they’ll be looking to secure their place in the top six and avoid a tricky away trip in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, the Lions host the Ospreys on Saturday, looking to end a frustrating season on a high.
URC South African Fixtures:
Friday, 17 May
Stormers vs Edinburgh, 19:00
Saturday, 18 May
Bulls vs Dragons, 15:00
Lions vs Ospreys, 17:15
Sharks vs Scarlets, 19:30
➜ In the PSL, Mamelodi Sundowns have already secured the title, but the race for second is alive, and so is the battle to avoid the relegation play-off.
Orlando Pirates head to TS Galaxy on Saturday hoping to hold onto second place and keep Stellenbosch behind them. Sekhukhune and Stellenbosch are both in the hunt too and will be keeping an eye on the Pirates’ result while trying to take care of business themselves.
Kaizer Chiefs face AmaZulu in Durban in a dead rubber, but they’ll want to give their fans something to smile about after a bitterly disappointing campaign.
At the other end of the table, Cape Town City, Golden Arrows and SuperSport United are still mathematically at risk of being dragged into the play-off zone if results go badly.
PSL Key Fixtures:
Saturday, 17 May (All games at 15:00)
Stellenbosch vs SuperSport United
Richards Bay vs Golden Arrows
Polokwane City vs Cape Town City
Orlando Pirates vs TS Galaxy
Gallants vs Chippa United
Sekhukhune United vs Kaizer Chiefs
Sunday, 18 May
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Magesi, 17:30
➜ Over in the Premier League, the title may be wrapped up, but the fight for Champions League spots is fierce. Liverpool sits top with 83 points, but Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City, and Chelsea are all in the mix for second to fourth.
The standout fixture of the weekend is Sunday’s clash between Arsenal and Newcastle, a potential top-three decider. Chelsea and City will expect to win their remaining matches, so it’s a case of who blinks first.
Tottenham and Manchester United are stuck in mid-table, and the relegation battle is done. Southampton, Leicester, and Ipswich are already down.
Premier League Key Fixtures:
Friday, 16 May
Aston Villa vs Tottenham, 20:30
Chelsea vs Man United, 21:15
Sunday, 18 May
Everton vs Southampton, 13:00
West Ham vs Nottingham Forest, 15:15
Brentford vs Fulham, 16:00
Leicester City vs Ipswich Town, 16:00
Arsenal vs Newcastle, 17:30
Pictured above: The Blue Bulls.
Image source: @BlueBullsRugby
