SA sides have everything to play for

THE Stormers, Sharks and Bulls have everything to play for in the final round of United Rugby Championship matches this weekend.

The three South African teams booked their spots in the playoffs with home victories in the penultimate round of regular-season action, setting up what should make for thrilling action abroad given the permutations.

Having already secured a place in the quarter-finals, the goal for the Sharks, Bulls and Stormers shifts to finishing in the top four and earning hosting rights to a home play-off.

The Sharks will face Ulster in Belfast, while the Bulls clash with Ospreys in Swansea, both on Friday. On Saturday, the Dragons host the Lions in Newport before the Stormers take on Scarlets in Llanelli.

In-form Leinster have a tally of 62 points after bagging a losing bonus point in their 20-13 defeat to the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium and own the top spot as they cannot be overhauled.

The Irish giants will play all of their knockout matches at home.

The other hosts, however, are yet to be determined, with any of the top six teams in the running.

The Stormers are in fourth position on the overall standings and are level on log points with Munser and the Sharks, who are in second and third places respectively.

The Sharks, Munster and the Stormers have won the same number of games (11) and are all on 56 points, with the Bulls on 53 in sixth position.

Munster’s superior points difference secured them second spot, while the Stormers and Sharks are tied in that category as well. The Durban side are above the Cape outfit due to the fact that they have scored one more try this season (57).

The Lions, 11th, are the only SA team outside the top half.