URC quarter-finals: Joel Stransky makes his picks

It’s quarter-finals week in the United Rugby Championship and according to analyst and former player Joel Stransky, there will be joy for only one of the three South African teams in action this weekend.

In the big match in South Africa, the defending champions, the Stormers, host the Bulls, in Cape Town in a repeat of last year’s final and last weekend’s Currie Cup clash (won 31-7 by WP over the Blue Bulls).

And then in the last match of the quarters, the Sharks will be up against Irish giants and table-toppers Leinster in Dublin — a huge ask for the men from Durban against a side who on Saturday qualified for the Champions Cup final by powering past Toulouse 41-22 in the semi-finals.

Stormers

In the two other quarter-finals matches, Glasgow Warriors host Munster and Ulster entertain Connacht.

“The Stormers have stalled a bit recently, and lost some momentum, probably because of Deon Fourie’s absence,” said Stransky. “It just shows how important he is in that Stormers team.

“But, I don’t think there will be any panic in the Stormers side. They won their last match (against Benetton) and will have moved on from losing to Munster (the week before). Suffering one or two losses doesn’t make one go from a really good team to a bad one. The Stormers are a great side, but the Bulls will push them.

“I think the Bulls, and Jake (White) were trying to focus equally on every competition, where now they can put everything into the URC (and then the Currie Cup). They’re now more driven and focused, and that will make them more dangerous.”

Stransky added: “The Bulls have looked more organised recently. However, I can’t see how they’ll dominate against that Stormers pack, break down their defence, while the Stormers’ backline is very under-rated. I think the Stormers will shade it.”

Sharks

Turning his attention to the Sharks match against Leinster, the former World Cup-winner from 1995 said Neil Powell’s men had a “tough task” in front of them.

“The Sharks’ game-plan is just too predictable. They scrum for penalties, kick into the corner and maul. I’m not sure they can put 10 phases together or know how to break down a really good structured defence,” said Stransky.

“And with no Siya (Kolisi) and Eben (Etzebeth) they’re going to struggle. Their game just isn’t suited to beating Leinster.”

Regarding the Glasgow-Munster match, Stransky said: “Munster will have their tails up and RG Snyman back, and have the smarts to go there (to Scotland) and win, but it’ll be tough.”

And the Ulster-Connacht match? “Ulster have gone under the radar in this competition. They’ve won a lot of games (13 out of 18) and they’re a hard team to beat,” said Stransky.

URC quarter-finals

Glasgow Warriors v Munster
Stormers v Bulls
Ulster v Connacht
Leinster v Sharks