Now officially out of the playoffs equation after their five-game winning streak was terminated by the Bulls last weekend in Pretoria, the Sharks still loom as a potential ‘home’ breaker for the Stormers, who’ve not beaten them in four previous attempts during the Super 14.

A fifth consecutive failure could have serious consequences, not only potentially robbing the Stormers of a home semi-final, but also of semi-final participation itself, given that they still have the top-of-the-table Bulls to play in their final qualifying fixture. As things stand heading into the weekend, the Stormers still require five competition points to guarantee that their season extends beyond the qualifying rounds.

Schalk Burger’s men will have the advantage of knowing how all of the other semi-final contenders have fared, prior to playing, but even if other results have fallen their way, don’t expect that to take the sting out of what is usually a no holds bared contest. The rivalry between the Western Cape and the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast is long established, and is as fierce as anything that a local derby can bring to the table. For the Sharks, not only is there the drive of repaying the faithful with a strong performance at home; Springbok jerseys now also have to be thought about, with the national selectors sure to be keeping a close eye on a number of the head-to-head battles.

The Sharks, who have been hit by the loss of impressive hooker Bismarck du Plessis due to a neck injury which will sideline him for three months, have scored just 18 tries. They have recorded just one try-scoring bonus point from their 11 matches to date in the competition. While only ninth on the try-scoring charts themselves, the Stormers have nonetheless posted 12 more tries than the Sharks, while conceding 10 less.

These two teams have also kicked more penalty goals this season than anyone else with both the Sharks (42) and Stormers (39) within reach of the existing Super Rugby record for penalty goals in a single season, which was the 44 kicked by the Crusaders on their way to the 1999 title. These statistics all suggest that a continuation of the tight, low scoring contests that have characterized this relationship is in prospect. The Sharks’ 36-10 thumping of the Stormers in the final round of 2007 is the only match between the two in Super 14 that has been decided by in excess of seven points. Prior to the start of the Sharks current winning sequence, the Stormers had won the last four Super 12 matches between the sides, with a 26-12 win at Cape Town in 2005 their most recent success.

A win for the visitors this weekend will not only almost certainly return them to the playoffs for just the third time, and the first since 2004, it will also lock up their rivalry with the Sharks at seven wins apiece as the Super 14 era draws to a close.

Last Year – Sharks 20, Stormers 15 at Cape Town

The Last Time – The Stormers have enjoyed some big nights at Newlands, but few rate higher than last Friday’s comprehensive 42-14 blowout of the Crusaders.

Despite leading 12-3 after 20 minutes at Loftus Versfeld, the Sharks were unable to kick on. Their winning run was terminated at five as they were run down 27-19 by the Bulls.

Teams:

Stormers: 

15 Gio Aplon, 14 Sireli Naqelevuki, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan De Jongh, 11 Tim Whitehead, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg and 1 JD Moller.

Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Eusebio Guinazu, 18 Anton Van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Willem de Waal, 22 Joe Pietersen.

Sharks:

TBA