Lucky Sithole
Everybody knows the joke about it being so cold in the Free State that the farmers are wearing two pairs of underpants with their shorts.
When the Sharks run out in their match against Ulster in the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Friday evening, they should probably wear tracksuits instead of rugby shorts and take umbrellas along with them.
They can expect a maximum temperature of 9c, a wind of 20kph and there is the likelihood of significant rain.
The Bulls face the Ospreys at Swansea Stadium in strong wind, temperature no higher than about 9c and some rain.
On Saturday the Lions face the Dragons at a better time of day and can look forward – so to speak – to a high of 17c, strong wind, and only an outside chance of rain.
The Stormers play the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, Wales in similar conditions but it will probably rain.
Those are the prospects for the four South African teams in the United Rugby Championship this weekend – and for the Sharks and the Stormers.
The Lions have all but excused themselves from the competition with indifferent performances, but the other three teams have it all to play for.
The Stormers, provided they keep their stuff together, should be looking to score a bonus point win against Scarlets, while the Bulls should be looking for the same against the Ospreys.
The crunch game of the weekend is the Sharks against Ulster. At the top end of the ladder, it could not be tighter.
The Sharks in third place have played 17 matches and won 11, scoring 56 bonus points.
Ulster in fifth place have also played 17 and won 11 with 55 bonus points. It’s that close.
For all four teams it’s a test of skills and stamina – and character.
It’s a lonely world out there as 15 South Africans coming from the moderate Southern Hemisphere climate take on determined opposition, with stands filled with partisan and noisy fans, and cold wind and rain lashing their goose-flesh legs.
Image source: @TheCitizen
