No margin for error in SA Shield dogfight as title remains up for grabs

It’s all to play for in the second-last derby weekend of the United Rugby Championship (URC) as the race for the SA Shield and Top 8 reaches a crucial juncture.

This weekend’s local fixtures could significantly reshape both the Shield standings and the broader URC playoff picture, with the Sharks still on the hunt for back-to-back local titles, but they must do that at a daunting Loftus Versfeld.

The Lions did themselves and the Stormers a massive favour by keeping the Durban side honest, and the victory at Ellis Park flung the door wide open for one of the three teams to claim the title of SA’s best.

It is straightforward for the Sharks, currently on 16 points: win with five points and their lead becomes unassailable for the crown. Anything less, and they leave the door open for the other sides. The Lions (15) must beat the Stormers and hope for the Durban side to go down at Loftus. Should this scenario play out, the men from Ellis Park will claim the Shield for the first time ever.

Currently on nine points, the Cape side must win both of their next two matches, with the last one taking place against the Bulls on March 14.

The Stormers head into the Ellis Park derby as the underdogs.

They are on a two-match losing streak, have slipped down the official URC log, and need momentum going into the final stretch of the tournament. The clash is also crucial in terms of building towards their North-South derby against the Bulls on 14 March.

For the Lions, the focus will probably not be on the top spot in the SA group, but on maintaining their place in the overall Top 8 with a victory. That is all that matters for the Johannesburg side and leapfrogging the Sharks in the local battle will be a bonus.

At Loftus, the Bulls can still win the Shield mathematically, but their seven points will likely see them miss out this year. They have probably left themselves with too much to do to be crowned Shield winners. Chasing victories only, and not the SA crown, in their final two home derbies will therefore be key.

The Sharks are expected to bring their Springboks back for the final local clash after resting them this past Saturday. That could bring a bit of rustiness, but the Loftus Versfeld side have not been in action for almost a month either, so it could be even-stevens when they take the field on Saturday afternoon in the late game.

This has been one of the tightest Shield races to date, and the URC Origin Round should deliver another spectacle this weekend.