Well it is that time again… a bit late but still that time when we give our opinions. So without too much flash and pizzazz here are my predictions:

 

Friday

Highlanders vs. Cheetahs:

As much as I like the Cheetahs this is a no brainer. The Highlanders have been playing good rugby and the Cheetahs have already lost 11 front-line players. So Highlanders to win by 10 or more.

 

Saturday

Crusaders vs. Bulls:

I see that on Supersport the guys are really trying to give the Bulls a chance but the fact of the matter remains. The Bulls are not playing good rugby and the Crusaders are on a roll and look unstoppable. Yes they lost Carter and Whitelock but in Berquist and Jack they have very, very good replacements. And SBW will cause problems for an under-performing Bulls midfield. I know the Bulls will try and win the exchanges in the forwards but I don’t see them beating a great Crusaders pack. Crusaders to win by 10 or more.

 

Brumbies vs. Hurricanes:

Both teams have not been firing but at least with the Brumbies they have been able to show some brilliance. I think Nonu realizes that with SBW there he isn’t the man in 12 for the All Blacks anymore and it is negatively influencing his game. Brumbies to win by 6 or more.

 

Western Force vs. Waratahs:

No this should be a good old derby match. Yes the Force did lose to the Rebels last week and the Waratahs don’t look as sharp as they did when the competition started but they are still the Aussie teams to beat in my opinion. Will go down to the wire and I think it will be low scoring. Waratahs to win by 3 or more.

 

Stormers vs. Reds:

This game should be a humdinger. A stingy defence against a creative attack. Oh which way, which way? I almost don’t want to call this but I feel the Stormers should win this. They have shown versatility in games. They can adapt to the conditions but their stout defence will be up against the magic of Cooper and Genia. Stormers by 5 or more and it might very well be high scoring.

 

Sharks vs. Lions:

The Lions showed so much promise but yet again fail to deliver. The Sharks started off well but the loss of their talisman, Lambie, seems to be causing the backline some problems. On can probably blame age and Potgieter. The Lions will show enterprise again for most of the match but I feel that as is the story all tournament they will crash and burn near the end. I could be wrong. Sharks to win by 4 or more.

 

And that as they say, is that!

Well it’s time I post my reflections of the form players over the last few weeks. I did say every week I would post one. The only difference between mine and Supersport and Rugby365’s is that mine is not a reflection of just that week, but a reflection of overall form thus far. So without further ado I give you my Bok barometer.

 

15. Gio Aplon –say what you will but this “little” man plays one hell of a game and is proving he can stand up to the bigger boys. Despite his size he plays a fearless, balls-to-the-wall game!

Backup – Riaan Viljoen

Honourable Mentions – Jaco Taute, Zane Kirchner

 

14. Francois Hougaard – Out of all the right wings that played this weekend he was the best and the reason I pick him based on one game is because even though he has had only one game, his form already seems better than any other out there.

Backup – Michael Killian

Honourable Mentions – Odwa Ndungane

 

13. Jaques Fourie – Once again showed his class. His combination with Jean definitely makes them one of the best centre pairings in world rugby.

Backup – Juan de Jongh

Honourable Mentions ­– Waylon Murray

 

12. Jean de Villiers – he has a calming influence and along with Grant and Fourie in combination is making a strong claim for Bok berths.

Backup – Doppies le Grange (way too under-rated in my opinion)

Honourable Mentions – Andries Strauss

 

11. Bjorn Basson – Basson has proved he is the best exponent of the high ball in SA. Perfect for the Bulls game plan. Would love to see him get more of a chance to run as he is a deadly finisher.

Backup – Lwazi Mvovo

Honourable Mentions – Lionel Mapoe

 

10. Peter Grant – Mr. Cool under pressure. Say what you will but at the moment is definitely the form flyhalf in SA at the moment

Backup – Morne Steyn (only because Lambie is injured)

Honourable Mentions – Jacques-Louis Potgieter

 

9. Charl McLeod – did make a stupid call on the weekend by not passing to an open player. Still the form scrumhalf over the last while the Fourie du Preez is starting to narrow the gap as is Dewald Duvenhage. And Sarel Pretorius

Backup – Fourie du Preez

Honourable Mentions – Sarel Pretorius, Dewald Duvenhage

 

8. Duane Vermuelen – once again gave a stellar physical performance. Still better than Bok incumbent Spies. Kankowski is not far behind

Backup – Ryan Kankowski

Honourable Mentions – Warren Whitely

 

7. Willem Alberts – and again the power house had a great game… albeit on the losing team which speaks volumes then. Best open-sider by a street mile.

Backup – Schalk Burger

Honourable Mentions – Joshua Strauss

 

6. Francois Louw – showed again he should never have been discarded in the Bok setup. But then again he has a coach who can coach and instils belief in his players

Backup – Keegan Daniel (Brussouw is injured)

Honourable Mentions – Derrick Minnie

 

5. Andries Bekker – showed again he can get stuck in with the rough stuff. Not afraid to give it his all and is still the form number 5 even if Matfield had his best game this season.

Backup – Franco van der Merwe

Honourable Mentions – Victor Matfield, Wilhelm Steenkamp

 

4. Steven Sykes – he was always in the “oven” but was a bit over shadowed by the game that Elstadt had. Still on form my number one choice but might not be for long as the other guys improve.

Backup – Bakkies Botha

Honourable Mentions – Rynhardt Elstedt

 

3. Jannie du Plessis – still the best tighthead we have. Had a good game and is still on overall form the best we have.

Backup – Brock Harris

Honourable Mentions – WP Nel, Werner Kruger

 

2. Bismarck du Plessis – He ad a good physical game against the Stormers. Still on form the best number 2

Backup – Gary Botha

Honourable Mentions – Bandisu Maku, Deon Fourie

 

1. Tendai Mtwarira – even though the Sharks lost the front three had a good game. Dean Greyling of the Bulls had a damn good game in my opinion and is not far behind the Beast when it comes to form.

Backup – Dean Greyling

Honourable Mentions – Wicus Blaauw, Coenie Oosthuizen

Well it’s time I post my reflections of the form players over the last few weeks. I did say every week I would post one. The only difference between mine and Supersport and Rugby365’s is that mine is not a reflection of just that week, but a reflection of overall form thus far. So without further ado I give you my Bok barometer.