RUGBY WRAP: URC playoffs beckon for Sharks, Stormers, Bulls; Super Rugby upsets and more!

Three SA teams qualify for URC knockouts

The Sharks, Stormers and Bulls United Rugby Championship victories on the weekend secured their places in the quarterfinals of the competition with one round-robin match left. The Sharks came back from 21-10 down at halftime to beat Connacht 41-21 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday in an enthralling game in Durban. After an error-ridden start from both teams, the hosts — led by the electric Aphelele Fassi — went up a gear in the second forty to totally blow the Irish side away.

Elsewhere, the Stormers beat Leinster 20-13 at Cape Town Stadium, the Bulls saw off Glasgow 29-17 in Pretoria and the Lions bested Benetton 37-29 in Johannesburg. With a two-week break before the final round, the Bulls sit sixth, the Stormers fourth and the Sharks third on the overall standings. The Lions are 11th and will have to wait at least another season before they make their playoff debut in the competition.

Important wins for Ulster, Munster

After falling to Munster in Belfast a week ago, Ulster bounced back to beat a solid Edinburgh outfit 16-10 in the Scottish capital and put them in a commanding position ahead of their final game of the season. Dan McFarland’s men are fifth, but just a single log point behind the Stormers, Sharks and Munster, and are favourites to win their remaining home match against the Sharks. The men from Limerick are second following their 42-21 defeat of Cardiff at Thomond Park, with a colossal final robin matchup against Leinster in Dublin still to come.

In other results, Zebre bagged their first win of the season by beating Dragons 23-18 in Parma, and Ospreys’ 54-36 win at home over Scarlets kept alive their slim chances of usurping the Llanelli boys on the Welsh Shield standings.

Tahs and Brumbies earn massive home wins

In a huge boost for Australian rugby, the Waratahs and Brumbies bagged eye-catching Super Rugby upset wins over the Crusaders and Hurricanes respectively. The men from Sydney produced a mighty display to beat Scott Robertson’s Crusaders 24-21 at the Leichhardt Oval, while the Brumbies thumped the Canes 42-25 at the GIO. The latter result leaves Dan McKellar’s outfit just a point off the Blues in second spot on the overall standings.

Elsewhere, the Auckland-based franchise beat the Force 22-18 in Perth, the Chiefs pipped the Reds 27-25 in Brisbane, the Highlanders earned just their second win in their 27-24 defeat of Fijian Drua and the Rebels held off Moana Pasifika 26-22 in Melbourne..

Rugby Stunners

Esterhuizen bulldozes Saints defence

Recent reports suggest Harlequins No 12 Andre Esterhuizen is very much in Jacques Nienaber’s Bok plans for the upcoming Test series against Wales in July. This writer bloody well hopes so. The 28-year-old again underlined his immense value against Saints on Friday despite Quins going down 32-31 at Franklin’s Gardens. Take a look at this.