Looking at the upcoming games for SA teams in S18 comp & some observations

I took a look at the upcoming schedule for SA teams & conclude:

1. Most teams have only 2 or at most 3 "tough games" left

2. We will get some insight into the effectiveness of what I call the "trad vs. mad" SA style of play Trad is "traditional SA style of play being coined by Mozart (what we saw the Sharks play this weekend was not fully traditional SA rugby though); and the "mad" style of play being more balanced rugby.

Bulls

Week

Opposition

 

12

Tahs

 Competitive

13

Stormers

 Competitive

14

Lions

*Trad vs mad game plans competitive

15

Jags

 easy

16

Sunwolves

 easy

17

Cheetahs

*Trad vs mad game plans easy

Only 2 or 3 tough games.

Sharks

Week

Opposition

 

12

Jags

easy 

13

Kings

 easy

14

Bye

 

15

Lions

*Trad vs mad game plans competitive

16

Cheetahs

*Trad vs mad game plans easy

17

Sunwolves

 easy

Only 1 tough game

Lions

Week

Opposition

 

12

Blues

 Competitive 

13

Jags

 easy

14

Bulls

*Trad vs mad game plans Competitive

15

Sharks

*Trad vs mad game plans Competitive

16

Kings

 easy

17

Jags

 easy

Only 2 tough games although the Blues could be competitive

Stormers

Week

Opposition

 

12

Sunwolves

 easy

13

Bulls

 competitive

14

Cheetahs

 easy

15

Rebs

 easy

16

Force

 competitive

17

Kings

 easy

Only 2 tough games

 

This schedule shows how easy the SA games are over the next 6 weeks. The question is how well will it prepare them for the finals?

We should hear some serious chest-beating from the Sharks & stormers fans but they have an easy schedule so don't get too carried away.

Comments: 

1. I appeal to all posters to help Beeno maintain some semblance of sanity as we approach the finals as the hapless stormers will appear to be world class - all an illusion of course

2. Mozart and CleverMike will be engaged in "serious debate" about the so called "traditional SA style of play (an illusion) and the "mad style of play (balanced rugby). We all look forward to a civil & mature discussion

 I do think the Lions have some problems with losing so many of their props - and i do not trust Jantjies under pressure while they have serious problems with their present center combination.
Mozart has some mythical thinking about a traditional form of SA rugby - but he constantly favour players incapable of producing the so-called traditional game.  That makes debating anything with him on the issue difficult to understand.  
However, when any SA teams beat another team - like happened yesterday - they suddenly played "traditional SA Rugby" even though they in fact plays a more comprehensive style of rugby than Mozart favoured in the past.          

 I agree CleverMike, the sharks game yesterday was not 'traditional" SA rugby but only had a few of the elements. The stats I gave on the other thread showed this.
Anyway, Mozart's objectives in these debates are not always transparent. One might think he just likes to bait other posters & argue regardless of the evidence or logic

To be honest, I never liked the format of this year's competition. 
However for the first time in the history of the competition, it is not the South African teams that get stuck with a hard tour. Having had to play 4-5 back to back games on an away tour always made things harder for SA teams. (If the Kings could be removed from the tournament- I think it would be better for SA- as they are just a points cow for the opposition when they tour SA