BRUMBIES vs CHEETAHS, CANBERRA, SAT 06:35
VREDE’S CALL: There’s so much wrong with the Cheetahs at the moment that I can’t see them in the frame in this match. Their set piece is poor, their forwards have failed to front and their defence went all Powerlines FC against the Bulls. The Brumbies have the forwards to erode their resolve and the backs to ensure the Bloem boys stay winless. Brumbies by 10
JC’S CALL: It was interesting to read why Naka Drotske selected Ashley Johnson and George Earle for this clash. Drotske believes that the pair will add more power to the Cheetahs pack, but you have to ask why the same mentality wasn’t applied for physical clashes against the Lions and Bulls. (Well done boys but the answer is Naka read my post on SARugby.com and woke up!!!) Coenie Oosthuizen hasn’t played a match in 2012 and shouldn’t be expected to get it absolutely right in this game (Please note windpomp). The Brumbies by comparison look a more organised and settled unit, and would be expected to put this Cheetahs side away. While Jake White is big on structure, the power play will create opportunities for the Canberra side’s talented back division. The Cheetahs’ defence has been woeful, and again it’s been worrying to read about Drotske’s complete surprise. It’s going to be a long tour for the Cheetahs. Brumbies by 9
Beeno's call: Brumbies to win. Cheetahs however should show some improvement.
SHARKS vs LIONS, DURBAN, SAT 17:05
VREDE’S CALL: The Lions refused to play the percentages against the Hurricanes last week and paid the ultimate price. Nothing coach John Mitchell has said in the week suggests they will look to be more balanced. The Sharks struggle when they are pushed back deep through accurate tactical kicking and then confronted with an organised defensive unit. The Lions won’t challenge them in this way. The return of Willem Alberts to the starting line-up offers the Sharks a gainline force and a competent lineout target. The Sharks will boss both these facets of play, as well as the scrums. Sharks by 7
JC’S CALL: Butch James will lend the Lions more grunt on attack and defence, but the Sharks have to be favourites to take the Lions at Kings Park. A lot will be expected of the wrecking ball Willem Alberts, but Marcell Coetzee could also have a big role to play in the battle at the gainline. I think this game will be tighter than most expect, as while the Lions have lost some key forwards the Sharks have also battled in this department in the past two matches. The decision-making of the Sharks halfbacks will also need to be better than it was last week, and Pat Lambie must be more accurate in front of goal as Elton Jantjies has shown himself capable of slotting pressure penalties from long distances. The Sharks also need to utilise the kicking strengths of Riaan Viljoen far more. If the Sharks can keep the Lions pinned in their own half, and if the Lions look to employ the same multi-phase strategy as last week, then the hosts will win this one comfortably. However, the Sharks will need to be more clinical if they are going to reap the rewards of this game plan. Sharks by 10
Beeno's call: Sharkies by 20
BULLS vs BLUES, PRETORIA, SAT 19:10
VREDE’S CALL: With the Bulls on a hot streak and the Blues travelling to Loftus without Jerome Kaino and the elusive Rudi Wulf the odds are stacked against the Kiwi side. (DOUBLE WHAMMY - TRAVEL PLUS ALTITUDE AND NOW A FEW KEY INJURIES AS WELL) Ma’a Nonu starts in midfield and will test the 10-12 axis of Morne Steyn and Francois Venter’s defensive strength. But he will do so largely without a notable platform given the inferiority of his forwards. The Bulls will rule at the set phases as well as on attack and defence at the gainline. Steyn will drive them deep into their half and the Blues’ attacking instinct won’t allow them to respond conservatively. The Bulls’ defence has been outstanding thus far and expect them to isolate runners and force infringements. Steyn will build the lead and the Bulls will accelerate in the final quarter to register a comfortable win. Bulls by 15
JC’S CALL: The Blues have played some stupid rugby over the past two weeks. Aside from their tactical failings, they have also been hampered by poor leadership and unforced errors at the set piece. It bodes badly for a match against the Bulls, who have been excellent at the lineout despite the loss of several second-row Springboks. The Bulls have shown themselves to be disciplined and aggressive at the collisions, while the Blues have only fired in patches. They may look to unsettle the Bulls with their two fetchers, Daniel and Luke Braid, but as long as the Bulls win the physical fight at the collisions, the Braids will struggle to disrupt the Bulls’ attacking flow. There are some dangerous individual runners in that Blues back division, but they’ve shown nothing as a collective to suggest they can topple a structured side like the Bulls at a notoriously intimidating venue like Loftus. I don’t think the Bulls are as polished as they have been in previous seasons, but they should beat this disjointed Blues side comfortably. Bulls by 10
BEENO'S PREDICTION: BULLE TO WIN BY BUT I CANNOT BUT WONDER HOW DESPARATE THE BLUES ARE.
