Preview: SuperBru Super Rugby Week 7

Cape Town - What does Week 7 of this year's Vodacom Super Rugby tournament hold? Time to get your SuperBru campaign back on track!

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FRIDAY, APRIL 8

Chiefs v Blues, Waikato - 09:35

The Chiefs are on fire, with three bonus point wins from their last four games. The Blues snapped their winless streak with a victory over a depleted Jaguares last weekend, but given their woeful away form it's looking like there's only going to be one winner here. The only thing that might keep the scoreline civil is the fact that the Chiefs are at the end of a gruelling tour.

Prediction: Chiefs by 15

Force v Crusaders, Perth - 13:00

The Force are another team returning after a reasonably long sojourn away from home - but unlike the Chiefs they have not had a good time of it, picking up precisely zero points from three games in New Zealand. They welcome a Crusaders side that romped home in a brilliant game against the Lions last weekend - if they can overcome fatigue, it looks like a comfortable away win here.

Prediction: Crusaders by 10

Stormers v Sunwolves, Cape Town - 19:00

So close, but so far for the Sunwolves once again last weekend, as they went down by five points to the Kings. They are doing a lot of good things, however, which is encouraging to see. The Stormers are refreshed from a week off, but have a real fly-half crisis with both Robert du Preez and Kurt Coleman out long-term. Regardless of that, they have way too much experience and quality to lose to the newbies at home.

Prediction: Stormers by 21

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

Hurricanes v Jaguares, Wellington - 09:35

After a couple of losses in the opening round, the Hurricanes have put together three wins in a row. They welcome a Jaguares side that has yet to fully acclimatise to Super Rugby, you feel, and will likely once again be some way below full strength. It should be a lot of fun, as it always with the Argentinian side, but they're unlikely to overcome a confident Canes.

Prediction: Hurricanes by 15

Reds v Highlanders, Brisbane - 11:45

The Highlanders gave us all a scare when they threatened to ruin everyone's GSP in the first game of last weekend, going 0-14 down to the Force early on. They recovered, though, to win comfortably. This week they travel to face a Reds side that, despite not having won a game yet, looks rejuvenated after the departure of Richard Graham. The champions should still be good enough to win, but the margin may not be as big as expected.

Prediction: Highlanders by 8

Sharks v Lions, Durban - 17:05

This is probably your most difficult pick this weekend. The Lions don't have a win at Kings Park against the Sharks for over 12 years, so it's fair to say this is something of a bogey ground for them. And after last weekend's loss to the Crusaders, confidence will be low. The Sharks had a week off, but their most recent game was also a home loss to the men from Christchurch. Both need to bounce back, then, but despite a lot of the good stuff the Lions have been doing this season, you cannot ignore their dire record in Durban.

Prediction: Sharks by 5

Kings v Bulls, Port Elizabeth - 19:15

The weekend finishes in Port Elizabeth where the Kings look to back up their first win of the season with another over the Bulls. The visitors are unbeaten in their last four games, but with one draw and two winning margins of five or less, it's fair to say it hasn't all been plain sailing for the Bulls. They will likely be too powerful and too experienced for this Kings outfit, however.

Prediction: Bulls by 12