PICK OF THE SPORT: Sharks face Leinster in a massive top-of-the-table URC clash, with plenty at stake for SA teams, writes Dylan Bettencourt.
Does it matter that RG Snyman has decided to sign with Leinster for another year? Has Snyman made the right decision by ignoring Jake White’s offer for him to come back to the Bulls? Or is it simply media hype that is fanning the flames of a fire that doesn’t exist?
Snyman has made some smart moves in his career, although on paper, he does appear to be a bit of a job-hopper. He stayed with the Bulls for four seasons before signing with Mie Honda Heat in Japan.
After less than one season, he went to Munster, then jumped back to Mie Honda, then back to Munster, where he stayed for about four years before switching to Leinster.
Now he’s going to stay with Leinster for another year. And who knows how long that will last before the man known as the Viking sets sail for another lucrative contract in some far-off land?
Surely, Jake White, a seasoned old campaigner who has proven over and over that he knows how to negotiate the minefield that is international rugby, will accept that Snyman has to do what he believes is right for his career.
He will know that investing in RG Snyman, one of the best locks in the world, is not a long-term investment.
But still, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be some needle in the match on Saturday in Durban when the Sharks play Leinster in a crunch match at the top of the United Rugby Championship table.
Last week, Leinster, playing without 16 of their top players who had played for Ireland, narrowly lost to the Bulls.
If the Sharks can pull off a miracle at Kings Park, Glasgow and all the teams in the top four will benefit. And, media hype or not, there will be some hungry Sharks hoping to sink their teeth into the elusive Viking.
The Bulls are in the best position as they play Zebre Parma in Pretoria, and they may still snatch a vital second place on the log away from Glasgow.
Taking the full five points against the Italian team will improve their chances.
If the Lions can snatch one away from the Glasgow Warriors, they will do all the South African teams, including themselves, a massive favour. It’s quite a challenge playing Glasgow at home, but you can never count out the Lions.
The Stormers, holding onto a place in the top eight by their fingernails, desperately need a win this weekend, but beating Ulster at home is a tough ask for any team.
They are revitalised with the return of Damian Willemse (fullback) and Sacha Feinberg-Ngomezulu (flyhalf) after injury. With a strong backline, Ulster will know that any mistake will be punished out wide.
Fixtures:
Ulster vs DHL Stormers – Belfast, Friday, 9.35pm
Vodacom Bulls vs Zebre Parma – Pretoria, Saturday, 2.45pm
Sharks vs Leinster Rugby – Durban, Saturday, 7.15pm
Glasgow Warriors vs Emirates Lions – Glasgow, Saturday, 9.35pm
➤ Betway Premiership fans, get ready for a weekend packed with drama, goals, and serious movement on the table.
With Mamelodi Sundowns still cruising at the top on 58 points, the real excitement is just beneath them. Orlando Pirates are hot on their heels with 43 points and four games in hand, while Stellenbosch and TS Galaxy are locked in a fierce top-four battle.
Saturday brings two spicy double-headers. Chippa United hosts AmaZulu, with both looking to climb into the top eight. At the same time, Golden Arrows take on a stuttering Kaizer Chiefs. Later in the evening, relegation-threatened Magesi will be out to shock high-flying Stellenbosch.
Sunday doesn’t let up. Polokwane City and Richards Bay square off in a crucial mid-table clash, while TS Galaxy look to tighten its grip on fourth against Gallants, who sit nervously in the relegation play-off spot. To round it off, it’s SuperSport United vs Cape Town City—a must-win for both sides stuck in the bottom half and hoping to climb out of the slump.
Fixtures:
Saturday, 29 March 2025
Chippa United vs AmaZulu, 3.30pm
Golden Arrows vs Kaizer Chiefs, 3.30pm
Magesi vs Stellenbosch, 5.45pm
Sunday, 30 March 2025
Polokwane City vs Richards Bay, 3.30pm
TS Galaxy vs Gallants, 5.30pm
SuperSport United vs Cape Town City, 5.45pm
Pictured above: RG Snyman.
Image source: @leinsterrugby
