At this stage the two top teams - Blue Bulls on 32 points and the and Cheetahs are 31 points. With the Stormers and Sharks boith on 28 points. What will happen in Round 12? There is only one certainty. The Cheetahs will be on 35 points and is likely to retain their number 6 position on the overall log. In the unlikely case of the Bulls losing to or drawing the match with the Hurricanes - the Cheetahs will go to numer 3 on the oevrall log.
If the Bulls win with a bonus point victory they will be two points clear of the Cheetahs - who made a serious mistake by not trying for a fourth try against the Kings this weekend. If they did - that would have put them above the Bulls on the log as it stands at present.
The Stormers have a very difficult game coming up. They have Etzebeth returning on Saturday and should not have any problems in the line-outs and scrums. However, they may be even stevens with regard to the Loosie situation - especially sinc Luatua is so good in that position. That is where the situation stands. Insofar as the backline is concerned - there really is a major problem. Coetzee is likely to bring Jantjies on Board and leave the rest of the backline unaltered. That means the backline would be a defnsive sieve and the Blues are going to run riot around them. I would leave Van Aswegen at 10 and moe De Allende to 12 - with De Villiers at 13 to deal with the threat of Ranger - and keep the present wings. That would strengthen their backline defence substantially. My guess is that Coetzaa will not see it that way and the Stormers is as a result going to lose badly against the Blues. A bonus point is unlikely as well.
The Sharks have an easier game on their hands. I think they can cope with the Highlanders forwards - but the backline is still in disarray. There main problem will be at center and on th wing. Bosman is the only certainty and Lindeque as well. Steyn - due to his idiocy - is likely to be suspended for two weeks as a result of his citing. He was poor in any event and would be no great loss. I think Plumtree is likely to call up a further player - I hope it is Stokkies Hanekom - to strengthen the backline. That would leave the wings - but I think they are strong enough in that position. The Sharks should win this one and may even score a bonus point.
Assuming as forseen a Bulls and Sharks win and a Stormes loses - I think the situation will be as follows after Round 12:-
Bulls - 36 (plus 1 for a bonus point vistory)
Cheetahs - 35 points
Sharks - 32 (plus 1 for a bonus point victory)
Stormers - 28 points
Kings - 15 points
It looks more and more likely that the Stormers will end up in log position 10 or 11 on the overall log.and that the other three teams will have a fighting chance of making the top 6 positions on the overall log.
