The Lions and Bulls have the perfect opportunity to back up their opening wins from the weekend, but the Sharks and Stormers must find some answers to their overseas woes in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
While the Lions didn't play their best rugby against Ulster at Ellis Park, there is another chance for them to gain some valuable momentum if they can topple their Scottish opponents Edinburgh in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Head coach Ivan van Rooyen will probably look at some continuity in selection for their last home game with most players not setting a foot wrong in the victory, although they would feel they left some points out on the field that could've been converted. Edinburgh will also provide a very different challenge to what Ulster did.
Quan Horn delivered a Player of the Match performance against Ulster last Saturday! 🔥👏. #LIOvULS@Vodacom #URC | #HitsDifferent
#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/49voDyK1rE
The Lions dominated in the set-pieces, and their forwards made the hard yards with their carries to give their backline some space with the ball. Although there were some good tries scored by the backs, it's probably the attacking department where Van Rooyen will want to see his team improve ahead of facing the Scottish side, who picked up a losing bonus point against the Bulls at Loftus.
Across the Juksei, director of rugby of the Pretoria side Jake White will be hopeful of an improved all-round game from his team. They struggled to get past Edinburgh and their discipline, along with fixing the cracks in their scrum, will be a big focus point heading into this week of preparation.
The Bulls will also embark on a four-week tour to Europe after this weekend's home clash where things will only get tougher for them as they bid for a third finals berth this season.
After coming undone against the Ospreys for a second consecutive season, the Stormers won't be in panic mode just yet after losing yet another overseas opening match. Should things go sideways in Italy on Saturday against Zebre and they lose their second match on the road, the alarm bells will definitely start going off in Cape Town.
A weekend of mixed fortunes as the SA sides' @Vodacom #URC season starts in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bridgend and Galway - more here: https://t.co/r1iKxYSoJb ↕@URCOfficial_RSA #HitsDifferent pic.twitter.com/7VbHPDCinl
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 30, 2024
While they had the upper hand for a big part of the first half in Wales, the Stormers lacked composure and could not see things through. There will be some selection posers for director of rugby John Dobson and how he will select his side for the weekend. There could be some changes at flyhalf and fullback, while the grunt of loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon can add some power to the starting forward pack.
How the Sharks chucked away their lead against Connacht, is still baffling, but they have the opportunity to set things right in Wales on Saturday, taking on the Dragons.
The Connacht clash was probably their toughest one on the tour with Benetton waiting on them next weekend, but the Sharks should not underestimate their next two opponents.
Head coach John Plumtree will be looking for that 80-minute performance so that his team can be in a position to register their first win.