SA derbies crucial in determining URC qualification for Bulls, Lions, Stormers, Sharks

South African teams enter the United Rugby Championship (URC) hiatus for the February Six Nations tournament with the Stormers and Bulls in the top eight, while the Sharks and Lions are knocking on the door of play-off territory. There had been a chance of all four SA sides entering the three-week break in the comforting play-off zone, but results in Europe conspired to leave the Sharks in ninth place with seven rounds to go. This comes despite their double victories against the Stormers. Meanwhile, the Lions have slipped to 10th after a shock home defeat to the Bulls. Encouragingly for...