240 minutes in & it's a 2-team title race

Cape Town - 240 minutes into the 2019 Super Rugby season and bookmakers are already prepared to call it a two-team race for the title.

No surprise that leading SA bookies Sportingbet have installed the hitherto unbeaten nine-time champion Crusaders as 9/10 favourites, followed by their fellow New Zealanders, the Hurricanes, at 3/1.

Then there's daylight.

A third New Zealand side, the Highlanders (10/1) are marginally ahead of the only other unbeaten side to date (albeit having played just two matches), the Rebels (12/1).

Somewhat surprisingly, the Lions are next best (20/1) despite currently bringing up the rear in the South African Conference.

The Johannesburg-based franchise, losing finalists in the last three seasons, find themselves alongside the Brumbies.

The Bulls, impressive winners over the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday, are available at 25/1, while the Jaguares, who have shown steady improvement over the past fortnight, have seen that form reflected in their cut 28/1 title odds.

The Waratahs are also on offer at 28/1, while the disappointing Chiefs can be backed - by the very brave - at 33/1.

At the same price, but surely (?) better value, the Stormers are also at 33/1, followed by the Sharks (40/1).

The Blues (50/1), Reds (200/1) and Sunwolves (500/1) can be considered rank outsiders.