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Cape Town - The five South African franchises are back in action in Round 18 - including two mouth-watering derbies!
FRIDAY, JULY 4
Chiefs v Hurricanes, Hamilton - 09:35
The Chiefs, almost unbelievably, have slipped to the bottom
of the New Zealand rankings after last weekend's loss to the Highlanders. They
know a defeat here would all but end the defence of their title, while the
Hurricanes come into this buoyed by their impressive win over the Crusaders
last weekend. It's their last chance to score points with a bye still to come,
so it's must win for them too. All of which makes this almost impossible to
call - as if kiwi derbies haven't been unpredictable enough yet this season.
The Hurricanes' away form has been patchy, but they pumped the Chiefs a few
weeks ago, and I think that'll be enough to see them through here - just.
Prediction: Hurricanes by 3
Lions v Rebels, Johannesburg - 19:10
There's not been a great deal to shout about for either of
these sides this season. The Rebels capitulated fairly poorly against the Reds
last week and look ready for the end of the season - the Lions will be rusty
having not had a game for over a month. Ellis Park is not an easy place to
travel to, so home advantage should do the trick here.
Prediction: Lions by 10
SATURDAY, JULY 5
Crusaders v Blues, Christchurch - 09:35
Before last weekend this looked an easy one to pick - now,
not so much. The Blues brought their awful away form to an emphatic end as they
brutalised the Force in Perth, while the Crusaders looked toothless as they
failed to score a try in going down to the Hurricanes. The home side's fate is
in their own hands, with the visit of the Highlanders to follow, and a win here
would all but confirm their play-off spot ahead of time. The Blues will put up
a stern challenge, but I'd expect this to be the end of the road for their
knockout hopes.
Prediction: Crusaders by 7
Force v Reds, Perth - 11:40
The Force came crashing down to earth last weekend as they
were demolished by the Blues at home, while the Reds seem to play to a
considerably higher standard when neither of their biggest names - Genia and
Cooper - are playing. Go figure. Form says the Reds should win this one, and
comfortably, but with the Force's play-off hopes hanging by a thread I expect
to see them bounce back this weekend with a win.
Prediction: Force by 5
Stormers v Bulls, Cape Town - 17:05
It's tough to predict form coming back from an international
break, but before it the Stormers had begun to turn their season around
somewhat, having won four of their last five games. The Bulls haven't won away
from home yet this season, but they did beat the Stormers by 16 in the return
fixture this season, so will bring confidence into the game from that. That
said, in Cape Town, the home side have the edge.
Prediction: Stormers by 6
Cheetahs v Sharks, Bloemfontein - 19:10
It's not all been going the Sharks' way in recent rounds,
but they're still comfortably clear at the top of the South African conference
and guaranteed a play-off place. The Cheetahs have had a season to forget and
have been hit with more bad news this week after captain and talisman Adriaan
Strauss confirmed he would be leaving for the Bulls next season. They're not in
a good place, and even Willie le Roux's never-ending brilliance won't get them
a win here.
Prediction: Sharks by 12
SUNDAY, JULY 6
Waratahs v Highlanders, Sydney - 08:05
The scoreline may have flattered the Waratahs against the
Brumbies last weekend, but there's still no doubt that they were highly
impressive on their way to their seventh bonus point win of the season. The
Highlanders also impressed in their win over the Chiefs, but in a different
way, with their last ditch defence securing a win that keeps them very much in
the hunt for a knockout spot. They've got to travel to the Crusaders after this
too, so they know a win here would be invaluable - but I just can't see it
happening, the way the hosts are playing.
Prediction: Waratahs by 10
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