Springbok legend Jean de Villiers believes it’s no coincidence that the rise in Benetton Rugby’s performances in this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship should lead to Italy almost shocking France in the Guinness Six Nations this past weekend.
The Vodacom Bulls delivered a strong performance in Italy to move back into the top four of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, but the three other South African teams found the going tough on the road in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Cell C Sharks team to take on Benetton in this pivotal Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday is virtually unchanged from last week’s side.
The Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers pulled off admirable results in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this weekend, and although the Cell C Sharks and Vodacom Bulls lost, all four South African teams are still in the race to earn spots in the playoffs.
The South African Vodacom United Rugby Championship franchises will be wary of the fact that a massive effort will be required to topple the opposition in crucial matches for their playoff hopes when they return to the field in the big north versus south showpiece this weekend.
The Sharks climbed into eighth place on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship table after a last-minute try sealed a bonus-point win over Benetton in Treviso on Saturday.
Two tries against 13 men propelled Treviso to a 27-21 win against the Cheetahs at Stadio Monigo on Saturday. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. (more…)