The South African United Rugby Championship (URC) teams will goal excessive in spherical 4 of the competitors this weekend as all 4 teams look to construct on their successful momentum on tour in the northern hemisphere.
ALSO READ | WAYNE BARNES TO BREAK TEST REFEREE RECORD IN FRANCE V SA CLASH
The Lions will kick off the weekend’s action in opposition to Edinburgh in Scotland on Friday evening, and a jam-packed Saturday schedule will see the Stormers face off in opposition to Zebre Parma in Italy, the Sharks tackle Leinster in Ireland and the Bulls meet the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland.
The Lions will be trying to find their third victory in a row after they line up in opposition to Edinburgh, following away wins in opposition to Cardiff and Ospreys.
With the residence aspect boasting a greater file on assault and defence – with the Johannesburgers having scored 74 factors to Edinburgh’s 93 and conceding three factors greater than them – they will, nonetheless, be bracing themselves for a tricky onslaught.
PICTURES | EBEN ETZEBETH ARRIVES AT SHARKS AHEAD OF DEBUT
The Lions team show just two changes from the side that beat Cardiff, the first of which is a rotational swap to the pack, the place Junior Springbok free ahead Ruan Venter will begin with Emmanuel Tshituka dropping to the bench.
In the different change to the beginning crew, Stean Pienaar comes in on the wing for Edwill van der Merwe, who’s recovering from concussion.
ALSO READ | HOW MANY RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES HAVE THE ALL BLACKS WON?
Defending URC champions, the Stormers, will even have their sights set on stretching their successful run to a few matches after overcoming Edinburgh and Connacht, however this will mark their first away match, which means they will be examined beneath totally different circumstances.
With Zebre Parma coming off three defeats in a row, the Stormers will again themselves to register a victory, however they will be cautious of the undeniable fact that the hosts have earned 4 bonus factors, which might pave the means for check.
Stormers have rested key gamers
The Stormers’ 28-man travelling squad excluded Springbok props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, who’re getting a well-deserved break, though Damian Willemse travelled with the Capetonians to Europe.
ALSO READ | RASSIE ERASMUS RETURNS TO SPRINGBOKS AS WORLD RUGBY BAN ENDS
The Sharks, in the meantime, will anticipate an enormous onslaught from log-leaders, Leinster, who’re additionally unbeaten after three rounds, and with the hosts having scored the second highest variety of factors in the competitors thus far, it’s anticipated to be an epic encounter.
The Durbanites, nonetheless, will take confidence from the undeniable fact that they’ve gained each their URC matches thus far abroad, and with a robust victory in opposition to Zebre Parma and a hard-fought 20-19 win in opposition to the Dragons in the bag, they will be properly conscious of the character check that awaits them in opposition to one among the actual powerhouse teams in the competitors.
ALSO READ | RASSIE ‘CELEBRATES’ BAN ENDING WITH TIMELY TWEET
The Bulls will face their first check on international soil after they tackle the Glasgow Warriors at the Scotstoun Stadium, and though they will enter the match with confidence figuring out they’ve three wins beneath the belt, they will anticipate a totally totally different check in Scotland.
The Glasgow Warriors could have solely gained solely one among their three matches thus far in the competitors, however that victory was an emphatic 52-24 win in opposition to Cardiff at residence, and with residence video games being very important in the competitors, they will view this match as a must-win encounter.
The Bulls flew to the Northern Hemisphere with a squad of 30 gamers, consisting of 17 forwards and 13 backs, however lacking just a few key gamers as a consequence of harm considerations in Johan Grobbelaar (hooker), in addition to Springbok exterior backs Canan Moodie and Sbu Nkosi.
ALSO READ | SIYA KOLISI APPEARS ON US TV SHOW ’60 MINUTES’
URC weekend match info:
Edinburgh v Lions
Date: Friday, 7 October
Venue: DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh
SA Time: 20:35
Referee: Andrea Piardi
Zebre Parma v Stormers
Date: Saturday, 8 October
Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
SA time: 16:00
Referee: Eoghan Cross
Leinster v Sharks
Date: Saturday, 8 October
Venue: RDS Arena, Dublin
SA time: 18:05
Referee: Craig Evans
Glasgow Warriors v Bulls
Date: Saturday, 8 October
Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
SA time: 20:35
Referee: Andrew Brace
Other United Rugby Championship fixtures – Round 4 (SA instances):
Friday, 7 October:
Connacht v Munster – 20:#35
Saturday, 8 October:
Scarlets v Cardiff – 18:15
Ulster v Ospreys – 20:35
Sunday, 9 October:
Benetton v Dragons – 15:45
(*4*)
