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Cape Town - The Stormers vs Bulls encounter this weekend is without doubt the most eagerly anticipated fixture. Seating tickets have been sold out at Newlands for weeks, with the more organised booking their seats for this top of the South African conference.
Heyneke Meyer will no doubt be watching this game closely as he starts to formulate plans for upcoming International season! Many guys are putting their hands up for possible selection after some stellar performances and it will be interesting to see what team Heyneke settles on. However, that is later in the season: for now it is Super Rugby and there are some great fixtures ahead of us this week.
A closer look at Super Rugby, Week 6 action with Bet.co.za:
Friday's action:
(All kick-off's SA time)
Highlanders vs Rebels (Invercargill) – 8.35am
Odds: Highlanders 3/10 Rebels 47/20
After their first loss of the season last week the Highlanders will be hungry to bounce back in a big way and what better way to do it at home against one of the weaker Super Rugby outfits. However, this game is not going to be plain sailing for the men from Otago as their injury woes continue. Colin Slade’s horrible injury last Saturday has resulted in him being out for a year, so third choice flyhalf Chris Noakes will have to step in and do the business. In contrast, the Rebels will have their two stars Beale and O'Connor back.
Prediction: Highlanders win by 2 points
Saturday's action:
(All kick-off's SA time)
Hurricanes vs Cheetahs (Wellington) – 06:30
Odds: Hurricanes 6/25 Cheetahs 29/10
This looks like it is going to be a cracking game to watch. Expect a lot of running rugby and tries as both these sides have shown a tendency to run it from anywhere and score! It certainly would be well deserved if Cheetahs where to secure their second win of the season (and on tour), but it is going to be tough against an equally young and ambitious Hurricanes outfit. If Johan Goosen can keep producing his magic this one should go down to the wire.
Prediction: Hurricanes to win by 5
Chiefs vs Waratahs (Hamilton) – 08:35
Odds: Chiefs 5/10 Waratahs 33/20
The Waratahs' confidence will be buoyed after their impressive victory against the Sharks last week, however it remains to be seen whether the Sharks threw this game away due to fatigue or whether the Waratahs are much improved after their shock loss to the Force two weeks ago. Fatigue is something that the Chiefs will not experience as they are off the bye and should be well up for it at home, we should be set for some attractive running rugby!
Prediction: Chiefs by 10 points
Brumbies vs Sharks (Canberra) – 10:40
Odds: Brumbies 23/20 Sharks 7/10
The Canberra crowd played a massive roll in their victory last week against the previously unbeaten Highlanders. For the Sharks the trick may be to get early points on the board to silence this crowd as they are extremely passionate when on a roll! John Plumtree has stated that the Sharks have been working hard during the week on defense, after leaking too many tries in last week’s game against the Waratahs. This game will probably be a fairly low scoring encounter as both teams’ defenses should be well organized and although Brumbies scored a few tries last week there was an element of fortune in each of them! If Sharks play close to the best of their ability they should pull one over Jake Whites young side.
Prediction: Sharks by 5 points
Force vs Reds (Perth) – 12:40
Odds: Force 1/1 Reds 8/10
The reds are really struggling with injuries and one can only feel sorry for the previous champions (if it is possible for any South African to feel sorry for the Aussies). They are down to their fourth choice flyhalf and very much down on confidence after the drubbing they received from the Bulls last week. However Ewen McKenzie is one of the best in the business and if anyone can motivate his troops it is him. The Force have developed a habit over the last few years of getting very close and then losing. Although the Reds have beaten the Force on the last 4 occasions that they have met, this one is going to be tough against a fired up Force outfit where you feel David Pocock may be crucial in the outcome of this game.
Prediction: Force by 3 points
Lions vs Crusaders (Johannesburg) – 17:05
Odds: Lions 13/5 Crusaders 3/10
The Lions have been playing incredible rugby if you take into account all the injuries that they have had! They have been a great side to watch and have really punched above their weight! Unfortunately the only thing they have to show for it is a victory against the Cheetahs! They will be looking to score much needed logs points, before they head off overseas. This is not going to be easy against tournament favourites, the Crusaders. The Crusaders are yet to play to the best of their ability, something that won’t phase them too much as they have never been fast starters! The lions will have to unite as a side, young and old, to create 80 minutes of the best rugby they have played this season! It will be a real treat to watch the mercurial flyhalf, Dan Carter as he may well make his first start of the season. Josh Strauss will lead from the front as he has done all season! What a fantastic player he is!
Prediction: Crusaders by 8 points
Stormers vs Bulls (Cape Town) – 19:10
Odds: Stormers 5/9 Bulls 15/10
Possibly the best game of the weekend in this local derby! Both teams have looked impressive this season and are first and second in the South African conference. Both teams have not been too badly affected by injuries, always a positive in such a ferocious campaign! This should be a low scoring game with the lead changing hands multiple times via penalties! The side with the most dominant set piece and best discipline should take this derby. The battle between Juandre Kruger and Andries Bekker should be a highlight as they are both vying for a spot in the Bok jersey!
Prediction: Bulls by 4 points
Visit www.bet.co.za for updated odds ahead of the weekend.
Heyneke Meyer will no doubt be watching this game closely as he starts to formulate plans for upcoming International season! Many guys are putting their hands up for possible selection after some stellar performances and it will be interesting to see what team Heyneke settles on. However, that is later in the season: for now it is Super Rugby and there are some great fixtures ahead of us this week.
A closer look at Super Rugby, Week 6 action with Bet.co.za:
Friday's action:
(All kick-off's SA time)
Highlanders vs Rebels (Invercargill) – 8.35am
Odds: Highlanders 3/10 Rebels 47/20
After their first loss of the season last week the Highlanders will be hungry to bounce back in a big way and what better way to do it at home against one of the weaker Super Rugby outfits. However, this game is not going to be plain sailing for the men from Otago as their injury woes continue. Colin Slade’s horrible injury last Saturday has resulted in him being out for a year, so third choice flyhalf Chris Noakes will have to step in and do the business. In contrast, the Rebels will have their two stars Beale and O'Connor back.
Prediction: Highlanders win by 2 points
Saturday's action:
(All kick-off's SA time)
Hurricanes vs Cheetahs (Wellington) – 06:30
Odds: Hurricanes 6/25 Cheetahs 29/10
This looks like it is going to be a cracking game to watch. Expect a lot of running rugby and tries as both these sides have shown a tendency to run it from anywhere and score! It certainly would be well deserved if Cheetahs where to secure their second win of the season (and on tour), but it is going to be tough against an equally young and ambitious Hurricanes outfit. If Johan Goosen can keep producing his magic this one should go down to the wire.
Prediction: Hurricanes to win by 5
Chiefs vs Waratahs (Hamilton) – 08:35
Odds: Chiefs 5/10 Waratahs 33/20
The Waratahs' confidence will be buoyed after their impressive victory against the Sharks last week, however it remains to be seen whether the Sharks threw this game away due to fatigue or whether the Waratahs are much improved after their shock loss to the Force two weeks ago. Fatigue is something that the Chiefs will not experience as they are off the bye and should be well up for it at home, we should be set for some attractive running rugby!
Prediction: Chiefs by 10 points
Brumbies vs Sharks (Canberra) – 10:40
Odds: Brumbies 23/20 Sharks 7/10
The Canberra crowd played a massive roll in their victory last week against the previously unbeaten Highlanders. For the Sharks the trick may be to get early points on the board to silence this crowd as they are extremely passionate when on a roll! John Plumtree has stated that the Sharks have been working hard during the week on defense, after leaking too many tries in last week’s game against the Waratahs. This game will probably be a fairly low scoring encounter as both teams’ defenses should be well organized and although Brumbies scored a few tries last week there was an element of fortune in each of them! If Sharks play close to the best of their ability they should pull one over Jake Whites young side.
Prediction: Sharks by 5 points
Force vs Reds (Perth) – 12:40
Odds: Force 1/1 Reds 8/10
The reds are really struggling with injuries and one can only feel sorry for the previous champions (if it is possible for any South African to feel sorry for the Aussies). They are down to their fourth choice flyhalf and very much down on confidence after the drubbing they received from the Bulls last week. However Ewen McKenzie is one of the best in the business and if anyone can motivate his troops it is him. The Force have developed a habit over the last few years of getting very close and then losing. Although the Reds have beaten the Force on the last 4 occasions that they have met, this one is going to be tough against a fired up Force outfit where you feel David Pocock may be crucial in the outcome of this game.
Prediction: Force by 3 points
Lions vs Crusaders (Johannesburg) – 17:05
Odds: Lions 13/5 Crusaders 3/10
The Lions have been playing incredible rugby if you take into account all the injuries that they have had! They have been a great side to watch and have really punched above their weight! Unfortunately the only thing they have to show for it is a victory against the Cheetahs! They will be looking to score much needed logs points, before they head off overseas. This is not going to be easy against tournament favourites, the Crusaders. The Crusaders are yet to play to the best of their ability, something that won’t phase them too much as they have never been fast starters! The lions will have to unite as a side, young and old, to create 80 minutes of the best rugby they have played this season! It will be a real treat to watch the mercurial flyhalf, Dan Carter as he may well make his first start of the season. Josh Strauss will lead from the front as he has done all season! What a fantastic player he is!
Prediction: Crusaders by 8 points
Stormers vs Bulls (Cape Town) – 19:10
Odds: Stormers 5/9 Bulls 15/10
Possibly the best game of the weekend in this local derby! Both teams have looked impressive this season and are first and second in the South African conference. Both teams have not been too badly affected by injuries, always a positive in such a ferocious campaign! This should be a low scoring game with the lead changing hands multiple times via penalties! The side with the most dominant set piece and best discipline should take this derby. The battle between Juandre Kruger and Andries Bekker should be a highlight as they are both vying for a spot in the Bok jersey!
Prediction: Bulls by 4 points
Visit www.bet.co.za for updated odds ahead of the weekend.
