Bragging rights on the line in URC derby
- 229
Both the Bulls and Lions will have everything to play for on Saturday when they meet in what is billed to be a thrilling United Rugby Championship Jukskei derby in Pretoria – the only match of the weekend.
SA Shield holders, the Bulls need a victory to build a cushion between themselves and the fourth-placed Sharks. The men from Pretoria are in third place on the table with 35 points, one ahead of the Durbanites on 34.
The Bulls would also be keen to reduce the gap between themselves and the second-placed Glasgow Warriors (42 points) to stay within striking distance of finishing the pool stages in the top two. Leinster are currently in in first place with 11 wins in as many games and a comfortable 52 points.
The Johannesburgers, in turn, are in 12th position with 23 points – trailing the eighth-placed Scarlets by four points, but with two games in hand – meaning a surprise victory at Loftus Versfeld could give them a handy nudge up the table.
The Bulls will be desperate to make up for their first home defeat of the season against the Sharks last week as they face an encouraging home stretch of six home games and only two away fixtures.
Apart from looking to strengthen their position on the log, the hosts will also be wary of the threat the Lions pose after the men from Joburg beat the Stormers at Airline Park last week, despite the Capetonians entering the match as favourites.
The Bulls will also be motivated to come away with a win in their quest to retain the SA Shield, which they snatched from the Stormers last season. Victory at Loftus will see the hosts pass the Sharks on the SA Shield log.
The Lions’ only home defeat this season was against the Bulls a month ago, and their determination will be fuelled by last week’s upset against the Stormers, which would see them register back-to-back victories after suffering four consecutive defeats before last week.
Zooming in on the teams’ performances this season, the Bulls boast a much better attack with 12 more tries scored for a total of 36 in their 10 matches to the Lions’ 24 tries in nine encounters, but it’s more even when it comes to tries leaked, with the hosts on 25 and the visitors on 27.
Match Information:
Bulls v Lions
Date: Saturday, 22 February
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
SA Time: 14h00
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
