The Bulls' gritty 23-21 win in Llanelli — sealed by Pollard's kicking and old-guard composure from him and Le Roux — is held up here as the blueprint for how SA sides need to approach the final overseas rounds of the URC league phase. The argument is straightforward: home form is nice, but where teams finish in the standings, and how far they travel in the knockouts, will be decided by what happens on the road. The Sharks' dismal away record is offered as the cautionary tale.
For the Lions, the concern is real — their overseas URC record this season reads three losses and a draw, a stark contrast to their dominant home performances. Their back-to-back tests against Leinster and Munster in Ireland will reveal whether Van Rooyen's side are genuine title contenders or a good home team. The Stormers, with a shot at finishing top of the table and hosting every knockout, face Ulster and Cardiff — both fighting for their play-off lives. Cardinelli's point is that hostile crowds, marginal refereeing calls, and high-pressure moments are coming for both sides, and how they handle those moments will define their seasons — and, with Springbok selection on the line, a few careers too.