There are four SA teams playing this coming weekend - 2 against New Zealand teams and 2 against Australian Teams. So what can one expect from these four matches?
Blues vs Bulls
This is to my mind an open match despite the fact that the Blues are strongly tendering to be the bottom of the log team this year. The issue with the Bulls is that thus far in Super 15 - there Tight 5 has been a mess as they had problems with their props and Matfield brings zero to Tight 5 play.
For any team to compete with the Blues they need to be able to contain the Blues forward pack - since they have a very good backline combination.
I would say this is a much - win game for the Bulls - but I am hesitant to predict a Bulls win. All we can hope for is a Bulls win by less than 7 points - lets just hope it happens.
Waratahs vs Sharks
Although the Sharks played better in the game against the Hurricanes, the chances of them winning this game is zero-minus. There are way too many poor players in critical positions in the Sharks team and they are going to lose this one. Hope it is not another humiliating defeat - so I would say a 15 point loss is on the cards in this case.
Lions vs Brumbies
The Lions showed a lot of positives in their games thus far this year and their backline in particular has been a revelation. I also think that Berry gave the Brumbies too much leeway last week - since they were playing a negative and counter-productive game against the Stormers. If they try the same stunts against the Lions - they will be doomed.
If the Lions get their team selection right - they should win this one with relative ease and this is the only game likely to be a favourable outcome from an SA perspective.
Cheetahs vs Highlanders
This will be an entertaining game. It is not always easy to beat the Cheetahs at home - ask the Stormers about that one. However, the team of the Cheetahs are definitely not the strongest one in SA and they should be easy meat for the Highlanders. I think the Highlanders would win this game easily.
If SA teams win 2 of the four matches they play this weekend it would indeed be the best we can hope for. However, the chances of that happening is not really a certainty at all and I suspect their will be some gnashing of teeth and serious criticism of the standard of SA Super 15 teams on Sunday.
