After the Sharks and Lions experienced mixed fortunes overseas on Friday night, the Bulls and Stormers have excellent opportunities to nail home bonus-point victories on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulls kick off at 1.45pm and the Stormers at 4pm.
The Bulls have moved up a level this season and are one of the early contenders for the title. In their last two fixtures at Loftus Versfeld, they put 50 points past the Lions and Stade Francais, and Ulster could meet a similar fate on Saturday.
The Pretoria team clearly understands that home fixtures are crucial opportunities to accumulate points in the race for a high league finish.
Altitude and 30-degree heat at Loftus traditionally present a significant challenge for visiting teams, particularly those travelling from the northern hemisphere.
Under Johan Ackermann, the Bulls will look to impose their physical game, establish dominance at the set-piece and use their powerful ball-carriers to put Ulster under sustained pressure.
Ulster, though, have the quality to make this a competitive contest. Their ability to retain possession and maintain a high tempo could challenge the Bulls, particularly if the visitors can avoid becoming trapped in a territorial battle.
With both sides possessing significant forward strength, the contest at scrum time and the management of possession will be particularly important.
The Bulls, though, have too much strike power out wide and I’m predicting a 20-point win.
The Stormers will be determined to preserve their unbeaten start to the season in Cape Town when they host the Scarlets.
The Stormers have an impressive record against the Welsh region, including a commanding 34-0 away victory last season.
Coach John Dobson has assembled a powerful squad combining experienced campaigners with emerging talent, reflecting the quality depth available to the Cape Town outfit.
One of the major selection stories is young scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who makes his first start after two appearances from the replacements bench. The performance of the former Lion will be closely watched as he takes another step in his development.
The Stormers’ ability to play with width, pace and ambition makes them particularly dangerous at the DHL Stadium, but the Scarlets have demonstrated encouraging form during the opening weeks of the campaign.
The visitors will need to be disciplined defensively and make the most of their attacking opportunities. Allowing the Stormers quick possession and space to exploit could prove costly.
The Stormers will be determined to cash in on this home fixture as they seek to maintain pressure on the Championship leaders. This match looks like a runaway 25-point victory for the Capetonians.
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Cheswill Jooste, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Dylan Maart.
Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Chay Mullins, 13 Jamie Benson, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Michael Lowry, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 David McCann, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Ben Donnell, 3 Keynan Knox, 2 Tom Stewart (captain), 1 Tom O’Toole Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 James McNabney, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 James McKillop
Referee: Ru Campbell (SRU) Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU), Sean Muller (SARU). TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU).
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Markus Muller, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Evan Roos, 6 Paul de Villiers (captain), 5 Connor Evans, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Yaqeen Ahmed.
Scarlets: 15 Ioan Nicholas, 14 Ioan Jones, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Macs Page, 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Harri O’Connor, 2 John McKee, 1 Kemsley Mathias. Replacements: 16 George Roberts, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Harvey Cuckson, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Isaac Murray-Macgregor
Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland). Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (SA); Juan de Bod (SA). TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU).