Stormers, Sharks and Bulls have an excellent chance of advancing to the URC semi-finals

For much of Saturday night, the Stormers looked as though they could secure their dream quarter-final in Durban, with the Sharks struggling against the Scarlets and Leinster unconvincing against the Warriors. Nevertheless, the Cape side deserve a round of applause for making the play-offs — full stop.

In the first half of the tournament, they were dreadful, languishing in unfamiliar territory near the bottom of the log. Head coach John Dobson was left scratching his head as injuries mounted and his typically potent back division appeared emasculated without playmakers Damian Willemse, Manie Libbok, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu — all of whom missed large chunks of the season.

Then came a horrific front-row injury crisis, beginning with the forced retirement of Steven Kitshoff and ending with the same fate for Brok Harris. In between, there were serious injuries to Frans Malherbe — still some way off from returning — and a peculiar suspension for Neethling Fouché. Loose forwards Deon Fourie and Ben-Jason Dixon also suffered season-ending injuries.

It is no coincidence that the Stormers turned the corner with the return of the ridiculously talented Feinberg-Mngomezulu. With their backline firepower restored, the Stormers are once again scoring tries almost at will.

Little wonder they had hoped for a quarter-final just up the coast in Durban against a Sharks side that is strangely out of sorts, despite a backline packed with Springboks. The Stormers would have been favourites in Durban, but given their current form, they’ll still attract plenty of backing to beat the Warriors in Glasgow.

The Bulls have also overcome adversity across the eight-month tournament, not least the disappointment of choking in the final against the Warriors. They have battled major problems at fly-half — largely due to the injury curse that continues to afflict Johan Goosen — while back-up options have proven not up to standard.

It is remarkable that the Bulls finished second on the log, thanks largely to a brilliant pack of forwards anchored by the brute strength of Wilco Louw and the brilliance of Cameron Hanekom.

One URC statistic Jake White may well highlight to his men is that no team finishing top of the URC table has gone on to win the title. In 2022, the Stormers finished second and beat the Bulls in the final. In 2023, Munster came from fifth to win it. Now, in the 2024 edition, table-toppers Glasgow had finished fourth in the previous season.

The Sharks should be commended for finishing third on the log — a major achievement considering their 14th-place finish last season and their tendency to win matches despite seemingly operating in second or third gear.

They will host Munster in a Durban quarter-final, but they know they are almost certain to lose if they don’t complement their impregnable defence with attacking flair. Their next game would be the perfect time to finally click.

URC quarter-final fixtures

Friday, May 30: Warriors v Stormers in Glasgow

Saturday, May 31: Leinster v Scarlets in Dublin; Sharks v Munster in Durban; Bulls v Edinburgh in Pretoria.