Red-hot Stormers, Sharks given no title chance by bookies

Cape Town - Despite impressive weekend performances from the Stormers and Sharks, bookmakers have given neither team much chance of lifting this year's Super Rugby title.

READ: 5 talking points - Super Rugby Week 12

The Cape side put in their best display of the season in dispatching the Bulls 29-17 at Newlands on Saturday, while the Durban-based side were equally impressive in downing the Highlanders 38-12 at Kings Park later in the day.

The Sharks find themselves in third spot in the South African Conference and eighth in the Overall log, with the Stormers fourth and ninth, respectively, having played one more match.

However, leading SA bookies BET.co.za have the Sharks (83/1) and Stormers (85/1) as rank outsiders for glory this season.

Predictably, the New Zealand sides dominate the odds with the Hurricanes marginal 13/10 favourites, followed by the Crusaders 5/2 and the Highlanders (13/2).

That trio are followed by a fourth New Zealand side, the Chiefs, at 17/2, and then the Lions (45/4) and Waratahs 20/1, the latter based solely on the fact the 'Tahs will automatically qualify for a home quarter-final as likely Australian Conference winners, and certainly not on their standard of play this year.

The Bulls (43/1) are next best, followed by the impressive-of-late Jaguares (53/1) and Rebels (73/1).

All of the Blues (179/1), Reds (189/1), Brumbies (249/1) and Sunwolves (999/1) can be discounted.