SuperBru Preview – Week 16
Cast your minds back to the start of the month and the side picked up a crucial away win against the Bulls in Pretoria, Bryan Habana getting the winning try with little time left on the clock.
The win kept them five points clear of the Bulls, which with only three rounds to go is a crucial margin considering it takes into account a possible try bonus point from their Pretoria rivals. This week the DHL Stormers though are back home and taking on the Lions, who have undergone an interesting couple of weeks with John Mitchell departing, with Johan Ackermann and Carlos Spencer taking over on a temporary basis. Losing a coach midway through a tough season is the last thing the Lions needed and so at the end of turbulent few weeks, a win against the Conference Leaders seems too much of an ask. Stormers by 12
Up in Pretoria the Bulls will be hoping the Stormers slip up when they take on the Cheetahs at Loftus, welcoming back their Springbok stars. Morné Steyn has endured a tough series for the Boks but back in the blue of his beloved Bulls he should find his form once more. Bulls by 16
Over in Australia the Force will host the Brumbies looking for just their fourth win this season against the in-form Australian Conference leaders. Jake White’s side had a blistering start to this year’s Super Rugby campaign and the hope will be that after the international break they can carry on from where they left off. Brumbies by 10
The other game sees the Rebels play the Reds at home in Melbourne, with the champions not yet out of the playoff race sitting on 44 points just one away from the wildcard spots. Losing James Horwill for the season is an enormous blow but with Quade Cooper back playing and Will Genia pulling the strings they should win this. Reds by 5
Finally the two games in New Zealand see the Crusaders host the Hurricanes in Christchurch looking to complete a double over the Canes for the season after the 42-14 success in Round 9 in Wellington. Crusaders by 9
Last but not least, the Highlanders are in action against New Zealand Conference leaders the Chiefs, who will be travelling to Dunedin looking for revenge after their defeat at home earlier in the season in Waikato. Chiefs by 8
That’s all for this week, good luck with your SuperBru picks and let’s hope for another Stormers success.