What the Stormers need to do to qualify for the URC playoffs

It is officially the business end of the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the Stormers are targeting a fourth straight appearance in the competition knockouts.

They have enjoyed a pretty successful run over the first three seasons in the URC, finishing second on the log and being crowned champions in their debut campaign, and followed that up with a third place finish in season two, only to lose in the final.

Last season was their worst finish in the URC league phase, finishing fifth on the log, which saw them travel to Scotland for their quarterfinal clash against Glasgow Warriors, which they lost to the eventual champions.

This season the Stormers are in danger of finishing even lower, but they should have no trouble at all in securing their place in the knockouts.

Currently the Stormers are in a massive battle for a place in the URC top eight, and are 10^th on the log on 35 points, just five ahead of the Lions down in 14^th and just four behind Munster up in fifth.

They can thus realistically target a fifth place finish at best, as the fourth placed Sharks are 10 points ahead with four games remaining, so a home playoff is likely out of reach, which Director of Rugby John Dobson admitted after their most recent defeat to Ulster.

Mixed season

It hasn’t been the best season for the Stormers so far, with them winning six games against eight losses, but with a home run against teams clustered around them on the log, they have a good chance of finishing with four straight wins for a 10-8 ratio by the end of the pool stage.

However, the Stormers can’t be too complacent, as last year they found themselves in a similar position, only to be stunned at home by Ospreys before recovering with a run of wins down the back straight to get to fifth.

This time a slip up could see them finish lower on the log, which would in turn give them a tough playoff, possibly against Leinster in Dublin, or Glasgow in Scotland again.

Arguably their toughest games will be against Connacht first up this weekend and Benetton thereafter, before finishing off against bottom side Dragons and Cardiff.

Connacht have had a poor season so far and lie 13^th on the table, but are just two points off the Stormers and have a couple of Irish internationals in their side, so shouldn’t be underestimated.

Benetton should be the Stormers’ biggest challenge, with the seventh placed Italians a tricky customer, and they showed they can also travel well, with them giving the Bulls a run for their money on the Highveld twice last season.

Rock bottom Dragons are expected to be an easy full house of points, while despite Cardiff’s decent form this season, that currently sees them ninth on the log, they don’t have enough quality in their team to trouble the Stormers at home.

Remaining URC fixtures, all at the Cape Town Stadium

April 19 v Connacht – Kick-off 4pm

April 26 v Benetton – Kick-off 6:15pm

May 10 v Dragons – Kick-off 6:15pm

May 16 v Cardiff – Kick-off 7pm