Cape Town - The Stormers and Sharks are still in with a shot at making the Super Rugby playoffs after respective victories over the Cheetahs and Blues on Saturday.
The Stormers and Sharks are both on 42 points, with the Durbanites one spot above their Cape rivals due to a better points differential. Both teams are now only four behind the sixth-placed Cheetahs (46), after the men from Bloemfontein came badly unstuck in their 28-3 loss in Cape Town.
The Cheetahs face the Blues in Bloemfontein on Saturday, and should Naka Drotské's men lose their final league game, they will be in trouble of losing out on a top-six playoff spot, especially if they fail to also obtain a bonus point.
The Stormers head to Port Elizabeth to face the Kings on Saturday, while they conclude their campaign at home to the high-riding Bulls.
The Sharks tackle the Bulls at Loftus this week and finish at home to the Kings the following week.
The Blues are currently in eight position on 44 points, but will travel back to New Zealand to face the top-of-the-table Chiefs in the final week.
Another team in contention for the sixth and last playoff spot, the Waratahs, have only one game in hand (against the Reds) in Sydney).
So, all eyes will be on Saturday's clash between the Cheetahs and the Blues. The Cheetahs are guaranteed of four points thanks to a bye week in the final round, but them losing to the Blues would give Cape and Durban rugby fans considerable hope of their teams sneaking in at the back door.
The Stormers and Sharks are both on 42 points, with the Durbanites one spot above their Cape rivals due to a better points differential. Both teams are now only four behind the sixth-placed Cheetahs (46), after the men from Bloemfontein came badly unstuck in their 28-3 loss in Cape Town.
The Cheetahs face the Blues in Bloemfontein on Saturday, and should Naka Drotské's men lose their final league game, they will be in trouble of losing out on a top-six playoff spot, especially if they fail to also obtain a bonus point.
The Stormers head to Port Elizabeth to face the Kings on Saturday, while they conclude their campaign at home to the high-riding Bulls.
The Sharks tackle the Bulls at Loftus this week and finish at home to the Kings the following week.
The Blues are currently in eight position on 44 points, but will travel back to New Zealand to face the top-of-the-table Chiefs in the final week.
Another team in contention for the sixth and last playoff spot, the Waratahs, have only one game in hand (against the Reds) in Sydney).
So, all eyes will be on Saturday's clash between the Cheetahs and the Blues. The Cheetahs are guaranteed of four points thanks to a bye week in the final round, but them losing to the Blues would give Cape and Durban rugby fans considerable hope of their teams sneaking in at the back door.