The Sharks will chase a third Vodacom URC win in seven visits to Pretoria when they face the Bulls on Saturday.
Loftus Versfeld has not always been kind to the men from Durban and they have suffered URC playoff heartbreak there twice, including last season’s semi-final.
In six URC encounters in Pretoria, including playoff matches, the Sharks have won only two and been on the receiving end of a couple of 40-plus scores.
The Sharks won the very first URC encounter on the Highveld in 2021-22, but lost a quarter-final clash later that season.
The Durban-based side had to wait until the 2024-25 season for their next victory at Loftus, but it was the Bulls who emerged victorious when it counted as they reached a third final in four seasons.
STATE OF THE URC: Bulls, Stormers back in business
If the two most recent clashes are anything to go by, expect fireworks and yellow cards.
In the round 11 encounter last season, the Sharks won despite three yellow cards, while Bulls won the semi-final despite losing three players to the sin bin.
Bulls vs Sharks in URC at Loftus Versfeld
2021-22: Bulls 22 Sharks 29
2021-22: Bulls 30 Sharks 27 (quarter-final)
2022-23: Bulls 40 Sharks 27
2023-24: Bulls 44 Sharks 10
2024-25: Bulls 19 Sharks 29
2024-25: Bulls 25 Sharks 13 (semi-finals)
URC SA SHIELD: Up for grabs as Sharks falter
Relive the two most recent clashes between the teams at Loftus:
BULLS 25 SHARKS 13
7 June 2025
Semi-final, 2024-25 season
The Sharks had done the double over the Bulls in the regular season, but when it mattered most, the Pretoria-based side emerged victorious in this rip-roaring semi-final which had everything.
The 25-13 win saw the Bulls book their third URC final in four seasons, but they had to do it the hard way. Jake White’s men survived three yellow cards and 14 minutes with 13 players to repel a determined Sharks outfit.
The Bulls struck first when Embrose Papier sliced through and sent Sebastian de Klerk over, before a Jaden Hendrikse slip on his own line allowed De Klerk to tee up Canan Moodie via a cross-kick. A Johan Goosen penalty stretched the lead to 15-3 at the break.
Ill-discipline threatened to derail the hosts, however, as Cameron Hanekom and Marcell Coetzee were sent to the sin bin late in the first half. The Sharks capitalised through Makazole Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker to close the gap to 15-13 and set up a tense finish.
Keagan Johannes nudged the Bulls further ahead with a crucial penalty before the decisive blow arrived in the 67th minute. Papier again found space and released Cobus Wiese, whose break created the platform for David Kriel to dive over and set up a Dublin final against Leinster.
FREE DIGI-MAG: How Andre the Giant became hybrid hero
BULLS 19 SHARKS 29
15 February 2025
Round 11, 2024-25 season
The Bulls were their own worst enemies in this encounter as they somehow allowed the Sharks to escape Loftus with a win.
The Sharks survived three yellow cards and were under the pump for extended periods as the Bulls dominated at scrum and maul time.
But the Bulls wasted a plethora of chances and it proved costly as the Sharks produced a cold and calculating display, preying on home side errors.
The visitors led 10-7 at the break after Ethan Hooker cancelled out Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ early try.
Johan Grobbelaar struck to put the Bulls in front, but then the Bulls pushed the self-destruct button.
An up-and-under was seized upon before slick handling sent Jurenzo Julies clear, the centre drawing the final defender to put Jordan Hendrikse over. Moments later, a miscommunication between Celimpilo Gumede and Boeta Chamberlain allowed Tino Mavesere to race 65m untouched.
Another aerial blunder, this time between Devon Williams and Sergeal Petersen, gifted Yaw Penxe a simple finish that effectively sealed the result.
Grobbelaar’s late second try proved mere consolation for the Bulls, who were left ruing costly missed chances and handling errors.
AFRICA PICKS: Six Nations – Round 3 wrap and betting lessons
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images