This weekend saw the SA teams slip down the log and face the real possibility of having to travel away for semi-finals. I think the Sharks will miss out with the 4th spot up for grabs between the Worrytahs, Crusaders and Brumbies.

Picks 4/7

Horrorcanes (45) v Blues (27)
The Blues were awful at the cake tin. Whilst they looked threatenting with ball in hand, they lacked the neccessary patience and accuracy to put the Horrorcanes under pressure. The Horrorcanes were extremely patient and took their opportunities clinically, helped by some very porous defence. A poor result for the SA teams leaves the Horrorcanes in a fantastic position to claim top spot on the log.

Lions (20) v Crusaders (32)
Not much riding on this game. Lions were awful. Crusaders aren’t that much better, and simply dont have much of an attacking game without Carter. Eloff will probably be fired at the end of the season. Could Jake White step in?

Cheaters (10) v Worrytahs (18)
The Worrytahs still have a chance of making the semis. A pretty bland game of rugby. The Cheaters are totally inconsistent and simply lack the mental application and skill to compete at this level. Check out this article to see me illustrate my point that consistency is a problem in SA rugby.

Reds (13) v Brumbies (52)
The Reds lost their playmaker Berrick Barnes just before the game which disrupted them. However it is still a sorry excuse, and the Reds were completely disappointing. The Brumbies still have an outside chance, and i’m hoping they can beat the Chiefs in the last round!

Sharks (23) v Islanders (15)
The Sharks were sensational in the scrums and for once this year broke the advantage line with ease. Their handling was atrocious! It was embarrassing, and Bismarck Du Plessis, Rory Kockott and Ryan Kankowski were the main culprits. For all their good work around the park, they let themselves down to often. In fact Kankowski’s poor defensive effort allowed the Islanders their second try. Kankowski simply does not man up in the tight phases for my mind.

The Sharks had the ability to put the Islanders away in the first 30 minutes of the game. The fact they were only 2 points ahead at half-time, shows you need to take your opportunities.
They may be an expansive team, but the Sharks have earned very little in the way of bonus points, and simply do not score enough tries.

Rory Kockott had a moment of madness and was red carded towards the end. He deserves a 6 week ban in my view. This could severly impact the Sharks semi-final hopes. After having a great draw all set up for them, I don’t think they are going to make it now.

Bulls (32) v Farce (29)
This was an intense game and ruined by referee Stuart Dickinson. He allowed the Farce too many 50/50 calls, and the Bulls meanwhile were penalised quite heavily. Why at the end did he blow the whistle as soon as the Farce knocked on, when a bit of advantage gave us a chance for a bonus point? Why was Valentine not carded for his shoulder charge, yet Morne Steyn got ten vital minutes in the bin for his minor offence?

Refereeing aside, the Bulls forward pack stuttered a bit. At times we were dominant, and at times we let them back into the game through lack of intensity and poor execution. The backs looked reasonably sharp, and I think JP Nel must play ahead of Jaco Pretorius who blunts our attack. Habana showed what he can do with a bit of space and how good he would be as a centre! However with 3 tries after 42 minutes we should have gotten the bonus point. We are now in danger of missing out on home semi-final status, and I really think we do need to finish top of the log. Let’s hope luck goes our way!

Stompers (14) v Chiefs (28)
The Stompers suffered 2 major injuries which will impact SA rugby this year. Whilst I wouldn’t have picked Jantjies in my Springbok squad, I have a feeling he was firmly in De Villier’s plans. The injury to Schalk Burger was more serious, although again I would have dropped him! Injuries aside, the Stompers are simply not up to Super rugby standard. Citing lack of depth and injuries is clutching at staws.
Why do SA teams always concede bonus points right at the end of the game?!! This one could really help the Chiefs out.