Bulls have their URC destiny in their own hands

For the Vodacom Bulls the prospect is easy. Win and nothing else matters. Win and you give yourself a chance.

While they are enjoying a week off with their families, the Bulls will know that while they sit seventh on the log, two good weeks will see them into the playoffs and very possibly into the top four.

Given where they were a few months ago, that would never seem likely and at one stage coach Johan Ackermann admitted that the top four was no longer a possiiblity.

But some results have gone their way and others they have crafted themselves to give themselves a shot.

Nine points out of a possible 10 on their trip to Wales over the past fortnight has put them within touching distance, and should some teams falter, they could well find themselves in the top four.

Benetton are their next opposition, a team not to be taken lightly, especially after their shock win over Leinster this past weekend, but the Italian side have not been the same this season since they changed coaches.

Zebre Parma follow a week later and a home game against the last ranked side in the competition should be targeted for a full house of points.

Either way, the Bulls know they can give themselves the best chance they have of a top four finish.

All the teams above them have tough games to come. So do the two teams below them desperate to get into the top eight.

Ulster and Connacht sit below the Bulls in eighth and ninth spot respectively. One team has to fall out and the Bulls therefore can't take things too lightly.

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But both have tough games. Ulster face the top two teams in the competition - the Stormers and Glasgow Warriors in their final two games, and have EPCR Challenge Cup action as well on this weekend.

Connacht have it just as tough, facing Munster and Edinburgh in their last two games.

Stuart Lancaster's side can do the SA sides a favour if they beat Munster next weekend as it will open up an opportunity for the Bulls to move up.

Above the Bulls, in sixth spot are Cardiff, and Corniel van Zyl's side have a similarly tough task with Glasgow and the Stormers facing them.

Munster are fifth, and their last two games are Connacht and the Lions, both games they can easily struggle to win.

Leinster are in fourth currently, but have their minds on the Champions' Cup against Toulon this weekend before they face the Lions.

Their final game will be against the Ospreys and they could win both, depending on where they prioritise their time.

Out of the top four, the Lions have the toughest task, while the other three could easily win both their remaining games. And if that happens, a path opens up for the Bulls.

But they will need to play well enough to get 10 points at home first.

Ackermann warned the Bulls fans not to underestimate the Italians.

"You must not underestimate Zebre, and Benetton showed this past weekend that they are one of the top teams in the competition,” Ackermann said. “They can beat any team on any given day with all the Italian internationals they have in their squad.”

But from where they have come from, to where they are now, the Bulls have seen an opening, and if they want to consider this season a success, they need to be ready if the log opens up for them to take advantage in the next fortnight.