The race for the Vodacom URC South African Shield is reaching boiling point, with another bruising round of local derbies set to shape the standings this weekend.
The Sharks surged to the top of the South African group after their statement 30-19 win over the Stormers in Cape Town, but the margins are tight. The Sharks, Stormers and Lions are all locked on 10 points, separated only by points difference.
The Bulls, meanwhile, are playing catch-up. They sit at the foot of the table with just two points from their opening three Shield fixtures and can ill afford another slip as the derby grind intensifies.
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Each team faces the other South African sides twice – home and away – while also playing teams from the other regional groups once, alternating venues each season. Only SA derbies count towards the SA Shield log.
Historically, the Stormers have been the most successful SA Shield side, lifting the trophy twice, while the Bulls and Sharks have each claimed it once. The Sharks enter the business end of the campaign as the defending Shield holders and with momentum firmly on their side.
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SA Shield results:
Bulls 33 Lions 43
Stormers 34 Lions 27
Sharks 21 Bulls 12
Sharks 22 Lions 23
Stormers 13 Bulls 8
Stormers 19 Sharks 30
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SA Shield fixtures:
Saturday, 31 January
Lions vs Bulls (2:30pm)
Sharks vs Stormers (5pm)
Saturday, 21 February
Lions vs Sharks (2pm)
Saturday, 28 February
Lions vs Stormers (2:30pm)
Bulls vs Sharks (5pm)
Saturday, 14 March
Bulls vs Stormers (2pm)
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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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