From Daily Maverick · Jon Cardinelli · · 3m
South Africa's URC teams face northern test
The Sharks and Lions head overseas for tough matches while the Bulls and Stormers prepare home fixtures they are expected to win.
In brief
The Sharks and Lions head overseas for tough matches while the Bulls and Stormers prepare home fixtures they are expected to win. South Africa's four URC franchises begin a crucial two-week block with the Sharks and Lions facing difficult European assignments while the Bulls and Stormers play at home. Originally…
Lions grieve as they head north
The Lions are still coming to terms with the loss of Hyron Andrews, who passed away suddenly at the team hotel in France last week.
Lions face Edinburgh after six days
The Lions travel to Edinburgh on Friday with a six-day turnaround. Edinburgh are unbeaten in the URC this season and currently top the standings.
Then Glasgow and Franco Smith
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Next week the Lions head to Glasgow to face the former URC champions, coached by South African Franco Smith, before returning to Johannesburg for a break.
South Africa's strong start
All four South African franchises began the third round of the URC in the top half of the table, with the Bulls and Stormers in the top four.
Young players seizing chances
Bulls winger Cheswill Jooste scored a hat-trick against Stade Français in Pretoria last week. Junior Boks Riley Norton and Zekhethelo Siyaya starred for the Stormers and Sharks.
Sharks believe in European tour
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The Sharks beat Lyon 40-33 in France last week with a rotated squad. Coach JP Pietersen may now believe a three-from-three return on tour is possible.
Sharks target Cardiff and Munster
The Sharks face Cardiff and Munster in the next two URC matches. Munster beat the Bulls and Racing 92 this season but face Leinster in Dublin this Saturday.
Bulls and Stormers play at home
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The Bulls and Stormers face the Scarlets and Ulster at home over the next two weeks. Both should target maximum log points against opponents they are favoured to beat.
Scarlets' poor record in South Africa
The Scarlets lost to both the Bulls and Stormers in Wales last season and were beaten by the Lions and Sharks in South Africa. They recently beat Newcastle forty-seven fourteen.
Ulster's Belfast advantage fades
Ulster have yet to win a URC game this season. They beat the Bulls and drew with the Stormers in Belfast last year but may struggle on South African soil.
Bulls lead attacking statistics
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The Bulls and Stormers are ranked among the top five attacking teams after three rounds. The Bulls lead the table with one hundred twenty-six points and nineteen tries scored.
The bottom line
South Africa's four URC franchises begin a crucial two-week block with the Sharks and Lions facing difficult European assignments while the Bulls and Stormers play at home.
