Euro Champs has impact on SA teams’ path

Munster’s loss to Toulouse in the European Rugby Champions Cup quarterfinals over the past weekend will impact the South African United Rugby Championship (URC) sides’ efforts to seal a home semifinal.

Munster is currently second on the URC log, level on points with the Stormers and Sharks but ahead of them on point’s difference and were set for a tough final pool match against URC powerhouse Leinster.

But with Leinster taking on Toulouse in their Champions Cup semifinal at the Aviva Stadium this weekend, they could make it through to the competition final which is scheduled for the weekend after the URC’s final round of pool matches.

Thus having already sealed top spot on the URC log Leinster could name a weakened team against Munster in their final pool match, to rest their stars ahead of the Champions Cup final.

This will be a blow to the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls hopes of finishing as high as possible and sealing a home quarterfinal.

The Sharks were already up against it, having to take on Ulster away in their final pool match, with Ulster definitely favourites to triumph at home, which would see them move into the top four ahead of the Sharks.

Of the SA teams, the Stormers still have the best chance of making the top four. They would be expected to pick up a win over Scarlets in their last pool game, which would see them finishing either second or third on the log.

The Bulls will also start as favourites in their final pool game against Ospreys, but if Munster, Ulster or the Sharks and the Stormers all win, they will be unable to force their way into the top four.

The Bulls best chance of making the top four would be for Munster to lose against Leinster, which would then open the door for them to sneak into a home play-off spot.

It is set to be an interesting final weekend of URC pool action and could well rest on whether Leinster reach the Champions Cup final and what kind of team they then name for their top-ofthetable clash. against Munster.