SA teams chase another clean sweep in URC playoff race

There’s a proper feeling of momentum building as all four South African franchises make a concerted push towards the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs.

After banking a full house of 20 points this past weekend, the mission is simple — do it all over again to state your cases clearly.

The second-placed Stormers are setting the pace nicely, with the Bulls and Lions also inside the URC Top 8 for now. The Sharks, meanwhile, still have a bit of climbing to do, but a strong run now could change that picture quickly.

One more clean sweep this weekend, especially against overseas opposition, and suddenly the playoff race starts looking very SA-flavoured.

Last weekend’s clashes had a bit of everything. The Bulls and Lions were in no mood to be polite up in Gauteng, running riot and racking up points for fun. In Durban, the Sharks gave former champions Munster a proper hiding, while the Stormers had to roll up their sleeves and grind one out against a spirited Dragons side in the shadow of Table Mountain.

In the latest episode of The Last Word on Rugby, the panel were in good spirits unpacking it all. There was plenty of praise for the local dominance and how the next few weeks could unpack for a big push to have four teams in the URC knockouts for the first time ever.

The conversation then shifted, as it often does, to the Springboks and the eyebrows raised by the latest alignment camp invitees.

Selections from Rassie Erasmus sparked some lively debate — especially around omissions like Juarno Augustus and the inclusion of big lock JJ van der Mescht, while in-form players such as Lions captain Francke Horn and Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier got their fair share of love.

It’s all shaping up quite nicely for the South African sides: teams in form, players knocking loudly on the Bok door, and another big rugby weekend ahead.