Congratulations to the Super Rugby teams making the quarterfinals

With the exception of the Brumbies who reached this stage because of the crazy conference system.   Neither  would the Stormers qualify for a home semi.
If that system did not apply - the following 8 teams would have qualified-
1   Lions2   Crusaders3   Hurricanes4   Chiefs5   Highlanders6   Stormers7   Sharks8   Blues 
However be as it is the quarters will be as follows:-
21 July 2017 -  Friday
Brumbies  vs   Hurricanes 
22 July 2017    Saturday
Crusaders  vs  HighlandersLions  vs  SharksStormers  vs  Chiefs
I think the Chiefs does not have all that good a record beating the Stormers at Newlands and that makes the match a bit uncertain.   As to the other three quarters I think that the games will be won by the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Lions.   
So the semis will be between the following teams:-
Crusaders  vs  Chiefs/StormersLions  vs  Hurricanes

 
1. Lions - (AF2)
2. Crusaders - (NCZ1)
3. Stormers - (AF1)
4. Brumbies - (AC1)
5. Hurricanes - (WC)
6. Chiefs - (WC)
7. Highlanders - (WC)
8. Sharks - (WC)

Quarters

QF 1 - 1 vs 8 (Lions vs Sharks)

QF 2 - 2 vs 7 (Saders vs Highlanders)

QF 3 - 3 vs 6 (Stormers vs Chiefs)

QF 4 - 4 vs 5 (Brumbies vs Canes)

Semis

SF 1 - Winner of QF 1 vs Winner of QF 4

SF 2 - Winner of QF 2 vs Winner of QF 3

 Go Landers and Stormers!

 
Sorry, Mike ... I seem to have done a JW on you here.

 Ha ha wee cc, good one. Nice table. About as empty as that head of yours

 Crusaders final is this weekend, if we can see off the Highlanders it will probably be a Crusaders vs Canes grand final.
Highlanders have me worried, they were unluck to have lost both games against us and it will be more of the same this weekend
Hopefully the fact that the Lions haven't faced any strong opposition works against them, this game will be tight but hopefully the Canes can tip them up (saves us a trip to Africa )
Biggest concern I have for the Canes is their poor forward pack, get the feeling its going to cost them the trophy

Did pretty well last year to win the title. Considering their poor forward pack lol. They have a decent right five. And againgst Saders in the WE showed a ton of improvement in the set pieces. Saders are the ones who have to worry about a Canes side who are not vaunted much upfront. Did a jOB on them. Landers may do a job too. In any case. I'm picking Saders to win anyway. Canes we'll win. Chiefs we'll Win. And Lions we'll win. Crusaders v Chiefs Lions v Canes

 I have my doubts about the Chiefs.   They played the Stormers in 2013 and this year at Newlands and lost both games.  I think the game  is a tosh up. 

 Maaik, the Stormers started the year with a young inexperienced side and ending it almost depleted. It would be a miracle if we don't lose by a big margin.

 
The Highlanders haven't impressed this season. Hot and cold all year long. They should be a walk in the park for the Saders ... however ... anything can happen ... and I will be cheering the Highlanders on .

I am worried about the Canes. They beat us twice last year ... one in horrid conditions ... but that's enough to have established a psychological advantage over us ... which we need to shake off quickly if we stand any chance of advancing. I'm delighted that if they do meet in the semis it'll be at Ellis Park.

On the other hand we have a determined team who want to send Coach Ackerman off to Europe with a Super Rugby title. That could be the edge we need.

We must first get past the Sharks though. You guys are speaking as though it's a forgone conclusion. The Brumbies, as poor as they've been, can also upset the Canes on the day ... so please let's set the arrogance aside and wait for the final whistle before we start celebrating.

Stormers have been pathetic. The don't deserve to be in the competition. The Chiefs are going to eat them up and spit all the unwanted bits out.



 

How do you congratulate a team for reaching a quarter final by default.....?

 Wee cc you miserable turncoat. Your comments about the Stormers are  totally and utterly disgusting. We have a 5th column in our midst! Away with this rotten apple!

 Well said Beano ......... seems though its only the Bokke & WP that belong to the 'Goat Family' ..... CleanCutConfusion apparently fervently supports the Lions. The mind boggles. .

 The Ceradunce at it again.   The bugger cannot read at all.   The Stormers would have been in the top 8 teams anyway - without a home quarterfinal.   He si a goner in the head and is totally stupid.  

 
No BlobbieGoat ... the Bulls were just as useless and should also not be in the competition ... but because I have a few good Bulls mates, they can stay.

 You're the fcking goat ........... rejoicing when the Boks lose to Italy, Japan or just about every-fcking-body. Hope your dogs p!ss on you .

Ladies, please! 

@ComradeMike. Now point to me where I made any mention of the Stormers and maybe, just maybe consider that faint possibility that I could have been referring to another side on that list. Hint: Think about an Australian side. Splat.

Don't worry give it long enough and Turncoat will turn on his dogs.

Haaaaaaahahahahaaa!!! BlobbieGoat get's all emotional.

Yes I sure did celebrate when the Italians clean up your Goats, Blobbie.

I thoroughly enjoyed it when the Japanese thumped the Goats ... can' t remember laughing so hard and for so long ... and I was hoping to rejoice against the French ... but much to my dismay they're were even worse than your Goaties, Blobs my man.

Oh and my dogs only pi$$ on those they regard as low class so I wouldn't suggest you come over. 

LOL!!

 In all honesty, I'm a tad concerned about the Lions form. Their last few games have been anything but convincing. Granted they are still winning by decent margins while playing averagely. 
At least they'll have altitude in their favor from here on out. Wish Combrink could be more involved also. I rate him over Coetzee and wonder if there is any chance they'll swap the two win can play wing and FB. RJSVR needs to start in the 1/4s to get some game time ASAP. 

 Yea Plum,
Agree with you on the recent form. Whiteley sorely missed, but Rohan would be a massive boost. Jet lag and altitude for the NZ teams could be enough to see the Lions through however. Stormers may beat the Chiefs, but are not winning a semi-final in NZ.