Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Sport24 readers believe that the Bulls are the only SA team left with a realistic chance of claiming this season's Super Rugby title.
Following the Bulls' victory over the Highlanders, they currently lie second on the Overall Super Rugby log, and are first in the South African Conference, leading the second-placed Cheetahs by six points.
With five games left in the regular season, the Bulls appear to be the only SA team likely to book a home semi-final, or possibly even a home final, provided they win most - if not all - of their remaining matches.
The Cheetahs are currently placed seventh overall on the Super Rugby log, outside of the six top teams to qualify for the knockout phase, and look likely to miss out on a playoff spot if they don't win their remaining matches. They do however have a bye in the final round of competition, so are guaranteed four log points that weekend.
Home-ground advantage will be a vital factor in the run-in of the competition due to the proven difficulty of travel and winning away.
A key match in deciding in who will top the SA Conference will come in Round 16 when the Cheetahs host the Bulls in Bloemfontein (kick-off at 19:10). The Bulls beat the Cheetahs 26-20 in their match in Pretoria back in April.
Here's what Sport24 readers had to say about SA's Super Rugby playoff chances:
"I reckon the Bulls are your only hope for Super Rugby glory." - Raymond Huxley
"Bulls fourth time for sure!" - David Boswel
"The three South African coastal teams are much of a muchness, aren't they?" - Bard of Blairgowrie
"I am certainly not a Bulls supporter, though I find it hard not to like the idea that they are powering their way to SupeRugby glory once again." - JJ Maritz
"In the interests of keeping South Africa in the semis - and finals, let us anti-Bull supporters swallow our pride and turn around and give them encouragement." - Ramon Allen
"Well done Bulls. Although I am no staunch Bulls supporter you are our only hope now and therefor all SA rugby supporters should support you." - Erich Goosen
"Well, we need at least one SA team to perform ... definitely not coming from my Stormers ... Good luck Bulls." - Pieter Samie
"It is just a shame that there is usually more losing than winning from SA sides this season." - Fabricante di Broma
"As a Bulls supporter I hate the Stormers fiercely but i must say i was very disappointing to see them lose against the Rebels the weekend. But let's put that aside and support our teams in the closing stages of this tournament." - Grant Ninon
"Congrats Bulls, you are playing good rugby hope we see u in playoffs or rather in the final against us Cheetahs." - Heinrich van Jaarveld
Despite a lacklustre performance, the Bulls dominated against the Highlanders (Gallo Images)
Are the Bulls the last hope for a South African team to win the Super Rugby competition this year? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
Following the Bulls' victory over the Highlanders, they currently lie second on the Overall Super Rugby log, and are first in the South African Conference, leading the second-placed Cheetahs by six points.
With five games left in the regular season, the Bulls appear to be the only SA team likely to book a home semi-final, or possibly even a home final, provided they win most - if not all - of their remaining matches.
The Cheetahs are currently placed seventh overall on the Super Rugby log, outside of the six top teams to qualify for the knockout phase, and look likely to miss out on a playoff spot if they don't win their remaining matches. They do however have a bye in the final round of competition, so are guaranteed four log points that weekend.
Home-ground advantage will be a vital factor in the run-in of the competition due to the proven difficulty of travel and winning away.
A key match in deciding in who will top the SA Conference will come in Round 16 when the Cheetahs host the Bulls in Bloemfontein (kick-off at 19:10). The Bulls beat the Cheetahs 26-20 in their match in Pretoria back in April.
Here's what Sport24 readers had to say about SA's Super Rugby playoff chances:
"I reckon the Bulls are your only hope for Super Rugby glory." - Raymond Huxley
"Bulls fourth time for sure!" - David Boswel
"The three South African coastal teams are much of a muchness, aren't they?" - Bard of Blairgowrie
"I am certainly not a Bulls supporter, though I find it hard not to like the idea that they are powering their way to SupeRugby glory once again." - JJ Maritz
"In the interests of keeping South Africa in the semis - and finals, let us anti-Bull supporters swallow our pride and turn around and give them encouragement." - Ramon Allen
"Well done Bulls. Although I am no staunch Bulls supporter you are our only hope now and therefor all SA rugby supporters should support you." - Erich Goosen
"Well, we need at least one SA team to perform ... definitely not coming from my Stormers ... Good luck Bulls." - Pieter Samie
"It is just a shame that there is usually more losing than winning from SA sides this season." - Fabricante di Broma
"As a Bulls supporter I hate the Stormers fiercely but i must say i was very disappointing to see them lose against the Rebels the weekend. But let's put that aside and support our teams in the closing stages of this tournament." - Grant Ninon
"Congrats Bulls, you are playing good rugby hope we see u in playoffs or rather in the final against us Cheetahs." - Heinrich van Jaarveld
Despite a lacklustre performance, the Bulls dominated against the Highlanders (Gallo Images)
Are the Bulls the last hope for a South African team to win the Super Rugby competition this year? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
