Sharks to be lone SA winners

Cape Town – Sport24 chief writer Rob Houwing, in the seventh of his regular South African-focused Super Rugby previews this year, sees the Sharks doing enough to down the Force at Kings Park despite so much upheaval in personnel of late.

But unimpressed by their showing even in victory over the tourists from Perth last weekend, he reluctantly sees the Bulls – in a blow to their playoffs chances -- being narrowly outwitted by the Crusaders at Loftus.

There may similarly be no joy (though they have punchers’ chances) for the Stormers in Dunedin or the Lions in Brisbane ... and as for the very weakened Cheetahs, it could turn fairly gory on them in Hamilton.