The weekend’s full slate of fixtures did not disappoint as the race to secure a home Final Eight fixture got even tighter. The South African franchises' move up the log is spectacular and three franchises are well placed to secure their place in the top eight to secure their place in the upcoming quarter finals.
Only one point now separates the teams from second to fifth in the overall standings while the eighth-placed Vodacom Bulls are just four adrift of the second-placed DHL Stormers.
Leinster are nine points clear at the summit but missed an opportunity to secure top seeding for the play-offs as they lost to the Cell C Sharks on Saturday. They visit the Stormers this weekend before facing Munster in their final fixture.
Ulster and Glasgow Warriors slipped out of the top four thanks to their defeats to Munster and the Stormers and head to Edinburgh and the Bulls respectively in potentially pivotal Round 17 fixtures.
In total, six of the top eight face fellow play-off contenders next weekend while third-placed Munster host Cardiff and the fourth-placed Sharks welcome Connacht.
Only the top four will earn a home fixture in the first round of knockout matches.
Vodacom Bulls will play Glasgow Warriors currently placed 6th at Loftus Versveld on Friday 29 April 2022 @ 19h00. Their last match will be against the Ospreys, placed 11th at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea @ 21h10, Friday 20 May 2022.
Emirates Lions will play 13th placed Benetton at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday 30 Apr 2022 @ 14h00. Their last match will be against the Dragons, placed 15th at the Rodney Parade Stadium @ 16h00, Saturday 21 May 2022.
Cell C Sharks will play 10th placed Connacht at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday 30 Apr 2022 @ 16h05. Their last match will be played against Ulster, placed 5t at the Kingspan Stadium @ 20h35, Friday 20 May.
DHL Stormers will play 1st placed Leinster at the DHL Stadium on Saturday 30 April 2022 @ 18h15. Their last match will be played against Scarlets, placed 9th at the Parc Y Scarlets Stadium @ 18h10, Saturday 21 May 2022.
