The URC is back in full force this weekend, and the SA teams will all have plenty to play for as the race for playoff spots sears to new heights, with 15 of the 16 teams still in contention to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The Lions are first in action against Cardiff on Friday (21:35 kick off). On a busy Saturday, the Sharks then face Zebre (14:45 kick off), the Bulls play Leinster (17:00) and the Stormers play away to Llanelli Scarlets (with the same 17:00 kick off time).

With the playoffs in mind, the battle between Cardiff and the eighth-placed Lions in Wales could prove to be a humdinger as both teams look to bounce back from defeats in their last outing and remain in the top eight on the table. With only two points separating them, a defeat for either team could serve as a big blow.

In Durban on Saturday, the Sharks (who are currently in fourth place on the standings) will target a victory against Zebre Parma at Kings Park where they will enter the match as firm favourites being nine log positions ahead of the visitors and coming off a morale-boosting victory against the Lions two weekends ago.

Bolstering their confidence, they have an impeccable track record at home this season where they remain unbeaten and have claimed several big scalps.

The clash between the Bulls (third in the standings) and Leinster at Loftus is also expected to be gripping with the hosts being determined to end the Irish giant’s unbeaten run in the competition and to close the gap on the table, while also possibly overtaking the second-placed Glasgow Warriors if they go down against Munster on Friday.

Both teams have been in fine form this season, although the Bulls will be wary of the fact that Leinster are the best defensive team in the tournament with only 166 points conceded in their 12 matches up to now.

Finally, both the 12th-placed Stormers and Scarlets, will be desperate to change their fortunes in the competition when they meet in Llanelli with three and two successive defeats respectively to their names going into the match and both teams both locked on 28 log points.

A victory for either team could see them possibly leap into the top half of the standings depending on other results, which will fuel their motivation going into the match.

FULL ROUND OF URC FIXTURES AS THE SA TEAMS TARGET A PLAYOFF SPOT:

WHICH URC FIXTURE ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/rugby/urc-all-the-playoff-permutations-for-sa-teams/