For the first time this year there are SIX matches to be played and I predict the following outcomes:-
Blues vs Brumbies - Unsure - but on form the Brumbies by 7 points
Reds vs Waratahs - Reds by 12
Force vs Crusaders - Crusaders by 20+
Stormers vs Rebels - Stormers by 20+
Sharks vs Cheetahs - Sharks by 12+
Bulls vs Lions - Bulls by 7+
My prediction on the log points is as follows
Brumbies 4
Reds 4
Crusaders 5
Stormers 5
Sharks 5
Bulls 4
The above points are based on the overall performances of the teams this year - but taking into account the performances this past weekend - there is a possibility of upsets also. The teams with the strongest performances were the Reds and the Sharks - especially the latter. I think there is a possibility of three potential upsets that could affect the log points - those being the Brumbies (the Blues performances improved recently), the Reds (The Waratahs could surprise - derbies like that is often unpredictable) and the Bulls ( they played badly against the Sharks and there recent game against the hotchpotch Stormers team was unconvincing). In the latter case what is in favour of the Bulls is the poor backline of the Lions - startimng with Jantjies (the Bulls will really target him and run all over him) and outside of him the players are really slow-speed snails - hence my prediction of a four-pointer.
The Bulls could potentially be knocked out of the play-offs. If the Reds pick up 5 points in their game and the Sharks does the same,- a mere win with 4 points will leave themt no 7 on the log with the Hurricanes at 8. A loss would mean they are out of the play-offs completely. Would not like to see that happening though.
