SUPERBRU – Round 13 Preview
Many of you will have backed the team to win by a more convincing margin last week on SuperBru, and for a while it looked set to be that way. But the Cheetahs are a resilient outfit and that shone through in their second half performance, with the hosts unable to kill the game off by a more handsome margin.
That said, a win is a win, keeping the side in a strong position for the end of season playoffs. Attention turns this week to the visit of the Waratahs, who lost in the final minutes last weekend against the Bulls after prop Werner Kruger drove over from close range.
Some of the Waratahs’ defence was very sloppy, particularly when Francois Hougaard kept the tempo high and had the Tahs scrambling. If Dewald Duvenage can do the same from tap penalties and keep working the Waratahs pack around Newlands till the gaps appear, then the win will come. DHL Stormers by 5
Close rivals the Bulls will be taking on the Highlanders in New Zealand as they look to continue their lead at the top of the South African conference, which is currently just a slender point. With stars returning from injury and confidence on a high after last week’s win in Sydney, this should be no problem. Bulls by 10
The other South African side on tour is the Lions, who following their demoralizing loss against the Blues last weekend now travel to Queensland to play the Reds. The champions have got their spark back after a big win over the Chiefs last weekend, so should canter home in this one. Reds by 13
Meanwhile in this weekend’s South African derby the Cheetahs host the Sharks in Bloemfontein. The visitors are on a hot streak after two big wins at home, and they’ll look to continue their run as they attempt to make a surge towards the playoffs. Sharks by 9
The weekend’s other matches see the Hurricanes host the Brumbies in Wellington, in what should be a straightforward away win for Jake White’s exciting young side. Brumbies by 8. The Crusaders will also be at home against the Blues in what could be a heavy home victory. Crusaders by 12.
Finally, the Force play at home against the Rebels on Sunday, with the visitors on a high following their shock win over the Crusaders. Rebels by 7
That’s all for this week, best of luck with your SuperBru picks and let’s hope for another Stormers victory.
