The SA Franchises Warn Up games

The Sharks
The  Sharks went off to France and played 2 of the top teams in France - Toulon and Toulouse.   Both the French teams did not have their internationals available and rested some of their key players - not wanting to expose them to injuries in friendly encounters.
On the other side it must be borne in mind that the games were played in the middle of the  European season - while the  Sharks players have not played any games since October last year.
The Sharks win was largely the result of good displays by their backline and loosies and they played games entirely different from what they produced last year.   promising performances - but the commentators said they played a game too fast for their opponents.  The question remains what will happen when they meet players playing a similar game in Super Rugby.
The Stormers
The Stormers played Los Jaguaros and beat them convincingly.  The backline was outstanding and they played exactly the players I would have selected - Huw Jones as 12 in the absence of De Allende.  
An interesting replacement player was Schickerling at lock - who also scored a try.
Two of their best players was not played to save themn from potential injuries - Etzebeth and Malherbe,   
Good sign - but they will have to show that they play their best performing backline  and not clutter it up with incompetents like De Jongh.
Bulls and Lions
The Bulls beat the Lions narrowly (28-24) - scoring three tries in the second half.   Interesting result - since last year the Lions wiped the floor with the Bulls.
INTERESTING - SINCE IT SHOWED THAT THE OLD-TIMERS WHO LEFT THE VARIOUS TEAMS ARE NOT MISSED AND THE TEAMS ACTUALLY PERFORMED BETTER WITHOUT THEM.