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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers might be sitting ninth on the overall United Rugby Championship (URC) standings, but that picture could be vastly different in a few weeks.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2022 URC champions are only two points out of play-off position, and with four home games in the next four rounds to come, they have the opportunity to be sitting pretty in a matter of weeks.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Saturday, the Stormers host Edinburgh at DHL Stadium. The team has enjoyed a strong season but is without several key international players who are being rested after the Six Nations.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers follow that against Ulster in round 13, the Ospreys in round 14, and Leinster in round 15. Coach John Dobson will be targeting at least 16 points from those four matches — but a few try-scoring bonus points would be handy too.</span><b> </b>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2103861 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1945529986.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2001\" /> <em>Sean Everitt, Head Coach of Edinburgh Rugby, knows it will be tough to topple the Stormers in Cape Town. (Photo: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>Stormers optimism</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is reason to be optimistic as the Stormers have an impressive home record, with only three defeats in three seasons in Green Point. While there is comfort in that history, it also adds to the expectation and pressure for log points in this crucial period.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Coming to Cape Town is always a difficult task, as Stormers have done exceptionally well here over the last two campaigns,” Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“They rarely lose at the DHL Stadium. They’re a very good team that’s also grown depth over their squad.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Bringing our team here, like any northern hemisphere team, is always a challenge. But the belief is there. Edinburgh got a win over the Sharks in South Africa two years ago, and the Ospreys got a win over the Lions at Ellis Park several weeks ago.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“So, there’s a bit of belief building that teams can be beaten in South Africa and that’s a mindset we’ve got to take.”</span>\r\n<h4><b>Top four fight</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the fight for a place in the top four, which guarantees a home quarterfinal at least, Everitt conceded that it’s still a long way to go to decide the leading teams.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edinburgh currently occupy fourth on the standings with 34 points, but they are only four points clear of the Stormers in ninth, to underline just how tight it is.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-03-10-bulls-revel-in-momentum-stormers-in-do-or-die-situation/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rampant Bulls revel in momentum while Stormers grapple with do-or-die situation</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“You can see by the log it’s really tight. The Stormers are sitting in ninth because they are only four points behind us,” Everitt said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“If we don’t get a win this weekend, we could find ourselves in ninth position. So, it’s something that probably won’t be decided until the final round of the URC, who finishes in the top eight and top four.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I think any of the top eight or nine teams just now would have an opportunity to challenge for a place in the top four. I’m sure that’s what those teams will be playing for rather than playing against the name of the opposition.”</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><b>Stormers equity deal completed</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it’s a crucial period for the Stormers, they also go into the Edinburgh clash with positive boardroom news.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red Disa Investments formally completed its R150-million equity purchase of the professional arm of the union this week.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red Disa is a consortium made up of Fynbos Ekwiteit (Pty) Ltd and Ardagh Glass Packaging Africa. Capitec Bank’s Michiel and Johan le Roux are shareholders in Fynbos Ekwiteit, while Paul Curnow is CEO of Ardagh, who recently acquired Consol Glass, among its many businesses.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marble Head Investments, </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Cape-based personal investment company of Andre van der Veen, completes the consortium.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the deal was accepted by the clubs that make up the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) last September, the consortiums’ bid needed to go through Competitions Commission scrutiny.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-12-sharks-aim-to-resurface-with-vital-cultural-shift-as-defeats-stack-up-to-critical-levels/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sharks aim to resurface with vital cultural shift as defeats stack up to critical levels</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new entity will be established, called Western Province Professional Rugby Pty Ltd (WPPR), with Red Disa as 71.5% shareholders, Marble Head 2.5% and the WPRFU holding 26%.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new WPPR board with a maximum of 10 members will be established, on which the WPRFU will have no more than two seats. There will be independent directors as well as representatives from all the shareholders.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Clear break</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will be a clear break from the WPRFU when it comes to the running of professional rugby. Issues such as the </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-11-02-almighty-battle-for-survival-of-the-western-province-rugby-football-union/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sale of Newlands stadium</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is still threatening to sink the union, will not affect the business of professional rugby.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are all really looking forward to this new chapter and to taking our organisation forward together,” Stormers coach John Dobson said.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The Red Disa Consortium clearly has the best interests of our team and their supporters at heart, and hopefully we can build on the strong foundation that we enjoy, given the considerable strength of rugby in the region and the passion that our wider community has for the game.”</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2103864 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TL_2188604.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4140\" height=\"2448\" /> <em>Decorated lock Eben Etzebeth made no excuses for his side's poor run in the URC, with just one win in 11 games. (Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>Other matches</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second-placed Bulls are the only team in the top half of the standings, while the Sharks meet Ulster with a chance to add to their one win throughout the season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lions meet Connacht in Galway, while the Bulls will battle it out with the Dragons in Newport.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pressure will be on the Sharks at home. They have struggled to close out a few tight games, which has seen them earn six losing bonus points.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Springbok lock and recently crowned SA Player of the Year Eben Etzebeth was in no mood to sugarcoat his team’s performances this year.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We haven’t had a good season so far and no excuses, we need to take a hard look at ourselves as individuals and as a collective,” Etzebeth said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Somehow, we haven’t been executing our plans and that’s disappointing, but we’ll be looking to rectify that over the remainder of the season and to make the last part of it a successful one.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We’re looking to end strong, there’s always a sense of pride when we wear the Sharks jersey and win games, and that motivates the guys to not give up, but to make it difficult for the teams coming to Durban.” </span><b>DM</b>\r\n<h4><b>Match information:</b></h4>\r\n<h4><b>Sharks vs Ulster</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 23 March</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: Kings Park, Durban</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Ben Whitehouse</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 3pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><b>Stormers vs Edinburgh</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 23 March</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Adam Jones</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 5.05pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><b>Connacht vs Lions</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 23 March</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: Dexcom Stadium, Galway</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Craig Evans</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 7.15pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><b>Dragons vs Bulls</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 23 March</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Eoghan Cross</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 9.35pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n ",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers might be sitting ninth on the overall United Rugby Championship (URC) standings, but that picture could be vastly different in a few weeks.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2022 URC champions are only two points out of play-off position, and with four home games in the next four rounds to come, they have the opportunity to be sitting pretty in a matter of weeks.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Saturday, the Stormers host Edinburgh at DHL Stadium. The team has enjoyed a strong season but is without several key international players who are being rested after the Six Nations.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers follow that against Ulster in round 13, the Ospreys in round 14, and Leinster in round 15. Coach John Dobson will be targeting at least 16 points from those four matches — but a few try-scoring bonus points would be handy too.</span><b> </b>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2103861\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"3000\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2103861 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1945529986.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2001\" /> <em>Sean Everitt, Head Coach of Edinburgh Rugby, knows it will be tough to topple the Stormers in Cape Town. (Photo: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Stormers optimism</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is reason to be optimistic as the Stormers have an impressive home record, with only three defeats in three seasons in Green Point. While there is comfort in that history, it also adds to the expectation and pressure for log points in this crucial period.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Coming to Cape Town is always a difficult task, as Stormers have done exceptionally well here over the last two campaigns,” Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“They rarely lose at the DHL Stadium. They’re a very good team that’s also grown depth over their squad.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Bringing our team here, like any northern hemisphere team, is always a challenge. But the belief is there. Edinburgh got a win over the Sharks in South Africa two years ago, and the Ospreys got a win over the Lions at Ellis Park several weeks ago.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“So, there’s a bit of belief building that teams can be beaten in South Africa and that’s a mindset we’ve got to take.”</span>\r\n<h4><b>Top four fight</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the fight for a place in the top four, which guarantees a home quarterfinal at least, Everitt conceded that it’s still a long way to go to decide the leading teams.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edinburgh currently occupy fourth on the standings with 34 points, but they are only four points clear of the Stormers in ninth, to underline just how tight it is.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-03-10-bulls-revel-in-momentum-stormers-in-do-or-die-situation/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rampant Bulls revel in momentum while Stormers grapple with do-or-die situation</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“You can see by the log it’s really tight. The Stormers are sitting in ninth because they are only four points behind us,” Everitt said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“If we don’t get a win this weekend, we could find ourselves in ninth position. So, it’s something that probably won’t be decided until the final round of the URC, who finishes in the top eight and top four.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I think any of the top eight or nine teams just now would have an opportunity to challenge for a place in the top four. I’m sure that’s what those teams will be playing for rather than playing against the name of the opposition.”</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><b>Stormers equity deal completed</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it’s a crucial period for the Stormers, they also go into the Edinburgh clash with positive boardroom news.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red Disa Investments formally completed its R150-million equity purchase of the professional arm of the union this week.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red Disa is a consortium made up of Fynbos Ekwiteit (Pty) Ltd and Ardagh Glass Packaging Africa. Capitec Bank’s Michiel and Johan le Roux are shareholders in Fynbos Ekwiteit, while Paul Curnow is CEO of Ardagh, who recently acquired Consol Glass, among its many businesses.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marble Head Investments, </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Cape-based personal investment company of Andre van der Veen, completes the consortium.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the deal was accepted by the clubs that make up the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) last September, the consortiums’ bid needed to go through Competitions Commission scrutiny.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-12-sharks-aim-to-resurface-with-vital-cultural-shift-as-defeats-stack-up-to-critical-levels/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sharks aim to resurface with vital cultural shift as defeats stack up to critical levels</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new entity will be established, called Western Province Professional Rugby Pty Ltd (WPPR), with Red Disa as 71.5% shareholders, Marble Head 2.5% and the WPRFU holding 26%.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new WPPR board with a maximum of 10 members will be established, on which the WPRFU will have no more than two seats. There will be independent directors as well as representatives from all the shareholders.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Clear break</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will be a clear break from the WPRFU when it comes to the running of professional rugby. Issues such as the </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-11-02-almighty-battle-for-survival-of-the-western-province-rugby-football-union/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sale of Newlands stadium</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is still threatening to sink the union, will not affect the business of professional rugby.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are all really looking forward to this new chapter and to taking our organisation forward together,” Stormers coach John Dobson said.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The Red Disa Consortium clearly has the best interests of our team and their supporters at heart, and hopefully we can build on the strong foundation that we enjoy, given the considerable strength of rugby in the region and the passion that our wider community has for the game.”</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2103864\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"4140\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2103864 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TL_2188604.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4140\" height=\"2448\" /> <em>Decorated lock Eben Etzebeth made no excuses for his side's poor run in the URC, with just one win in 11 games. (Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Other matches</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second-placed Bulls are the only team in the top half of the standings, while the Sharks meet Ulster with a chance to add to their one win throughout the season.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lions meet Connacht in Galway, while the Bulls will battle it out with the Dragons in Newport.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pressure will be on the Sharks at home. They have struggled to close out a few tight games, which has seen them earn six losing bonus points.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Springbok lock and recently crowned SA Player of the Year Eben Etzebeth was in no mood to sugarcoat his team’s performances this year.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We haven’t had a good season so far and no excuses, we need to take a hard look at ourselves as individuals and as a collective,” Etzebeth said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Somehow, we haven’t been executing our plans and that’s disappointing, but we’ll be looking to rectify that over the remainder of the season and to make the last part of it a successful one.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We’re looking to end strong, there’s always a sense of pride when we wear the Sharks jersey and win games, and that motivates the guys to not give up, but to make it difficult for the teams coming to Durban.” </span><b>DM</b>\r\n<h4><b>Match information:</b></h4>\r\n<h4><b>Sharks vs Ulster</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 23 March</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: Kings Park, Durban</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Ben Whitehouse</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 3pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><b>Stormers vs Edinburgh</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 23 March</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Adam Jones</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 5.05pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><b>Connacht vs Lions</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 23 March</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: Dexcom Stadium, Galway</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Craig Evans</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 7.15pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><b>Dragons vs Bulls</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 23 March</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Eoghan Cross</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 9.35pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n ",
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"summary": "The Stormers have a chance to start a run for a high URC finish, while the Sharks are aiming to gain respect after a disappointing campaign. The Stormers are also riding high after positive news about completion of a R150m equity purchase of its professional arm.",
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Sean Everitt, Head Coach of Edinburgh Rugby, knows it will be tough to topple the Stormers in Cape Town. (Photo: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
Decorated lock Eben Etzebeth made no excuses for his side's poor run in the URC, with just one win in 11 games. (Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)