From challenging for the National Rugby Premiership title to plotting relegation survival, Jinja Hippos have had a whirlwind of fortunes.
History won’t matter when the Hippos host the Victoria Sharks on Saturday, as both teams have barely delivered this season.
However, both sides need to win since this is an opportunity for the Hippos to exit the Bottom 4, while the Victoria Sharks will want to cement their place in the Top 8.
The Hippos have been going about their business quietly since the split, but by all measures, they’ve managed to hold on. Deserved wins against fellow bottom sides, the Kakira Simbas and Warriors, have earned Hippos valuable 8 points, but it’s in the bonus point tally where they’ve come short.
The Sharks had finally gotten going, but that crumble against the Heathens washed away all that hard work. With only four games left in the regular season, the university side can’t afford to be picking up losses and lessons at this stage of the season.
Only 10 points separate Hippos, in 9th position, from Impis, who are in 8th position. The Hippos have every right to go after this game, but the Sharks won’t hand it to them easily, as they have ambitions of their own.