Despite contrasting results over the weekend, Cardiff and Scarlets are still in with a good chance of making the United Rugby Championship top eight.

With all four Welsh sides in South Africa last weekend and this one coming, it will be a tough test for the two teams still in with a chance of qualifying for the play-offs.

Ospreys’ 29-10 defeat to the Sharks has unfortunately put them out of the reckoning this one game remaining. Let’s assess the chances of Cardiff and Scarlets:

Scarlets in pole position

Scarlets recorded a bonus-point 19-32 victory over Lions in Johannesburg to boost their chances of top eight qualification.

A first victory on South African soil since the four South African franchises were introduced in 2021 came at the perfect time for Dwayne Peel’s side, who are now up to sixth in the table with just one round to play.

Wales wing Blair Murray shook off any British and Irish Lions selection disappointment to dot down for a first half brace, before second half scores from Taine Plumtree and Johnny Williams sealed the 5-point result.

Scarlets travel to Durban to take on Sharks who have already guaranteed their play-off spot. With their match falling as the second last of the weekend, Scarlets will know what they need in order to seal a place in the next round of the competition.

Cardiff suffer Bulls blow

Going into the final two weeks of the regular season, Cardiff were in a great position to qualify. Their bonus-point victory over Munster had left them potentially only needing bonus points.

However, the capital region came up against a rampant Bulls side at altitude in Pretoria. 31-0 down at halftime, Cardiff came back well, scoring three tries through Alex Mann, Teddy Williams, and Gabe Hamer-Webb.

However, their efforts were not enough to earn either a try-scoring or losing bonus point, allowing Scarlets, Benetton, and Munster to leapfrog them.

With Cardiff outside of the top eight going into the last weekend, and Munster facing Benetton, Matt Sherratt’s side can guarantee qualification with a victory.

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