The SA tems this week will be severly tested o remain in their log positions. The only side with a relatively easy match on their hands will bethe Cheetahs who are playing at home against the Kings. The latter team did well on tour - but came back and was not good at all against the Bulls.
The Bulls have a tough on on their hands. They play against the Waratahs and I really have a problem in assessing the likely outcome of that mactch. Homeground advantage is in their favour and so is altitude. However, in their latest performance against the Chiefs - the Waratahs did show improvement and thye do have some very talented players in their midst. The Bulls did not travel well this year at all and was weak against the Crusaders and the two Australian teams they met on tour. Morne's goal kicking at Loftus is much more accurate than it was in Australasia, I give the Bulls about a 50-50 chance to prevail at this stage, but a loss is more likely with a bonus point a possibility.
The Sharks has three problems to contend with in their game against the Chiefs. The one is he jet-lag factor. The second one is their long list of injured players. The third problem is the serious perfornace deficiencie shoewd by some of their players. The Chies on the other hand has been average in games against outside teams - but in this case I belive that the Sharks has only a 20% chance of bbeating them and is unlikely to get a bonus point in this game.
The Stormers is basically out of contention insofar as conference leadership is concerned. Provided some of their injured players are really back and they pick their strongest combination - and taking into account the poor form of the Hurricanes in their most recent match - I think that the Stormers have a slightedge against the Hurricanes and can move up further on the log.
I believe that the log situation after the next round will be the following:-
1 Cheetahs
2 Bulls
3 Stormers
4 Sharks
5 Kings
