Here is my totally biased view of the South African challenge. It is early and so much can change. But this is my view today.

Bulls(33): v Reds (a); v Lions (h); v Sharks (h); v Crusaders (h); v Stormers (a)

My Prediction- W,W,L,W,W

Final Log Points 49

Bulls get the Reds on their return home, it is almost like the Bulls are at home. But the leaky defense of the Bulls must have the Reds team licking their lips. Lately the Bulls are building towards a more solid finals type of game. If they can keep it more tight the can beat the much improved Reds side.

Lions game , if they lose this one it will be the shock of the decade. This is a game worth resting many of the senior players.

What will be the mindset of the Sharks. If they won their previous two games this will be a crucial win at all cost game for them. Bulls might have the home semi final all wrapped up by then. If the Bulls have the home semi secured it will be a great chance to rest players. But no player in this Bulls team wants to rest.

The Crusader game might be a repeat of last years league game against the Chiefs. It will be all about who gains the mental advantage and confidence for a possible semi final game two weeks later.

The Stormers game , that is now a final before a possible final. This is a massive game, one of the most exciting prospects for years. A supper North vs South battle. Get your tickets early, they will be scarce. This game might determine who is first or second.

Stormers(28): v Chiefs (a); v Reds (a); v Crusaders (h); v Sharks (a); v Bulls (h)

My Prediction- W,W,L,W,L

Final Log Points 44

Chiefs game should be easy, last week the Bulls tired the Blues and this week they did it to the Chiefs. Stormers must not dare slip this game. They have a much stronger and complete team than the Chiefs.

Reds will be a good game to watch , best attack vs best defence. I really find it difficult to predict this one, maybe after the Bulls vs Reds game it will be easier to pick a winner there.

Crusaders in Cape Town, must be the Stormers, that’s what most Capetonions would say. If the Crusaders have Dan Carter not at his best they will be paying the prize. I worry more about the fatigue factor for the Stormers this is the weeks where I think their extra 3 games before the season will catch up with them.

Sharks , well like I said with the Bulls game it all depends what happened in the previous 3 games, if they have a small hope left the Sharks will be vicious. On the udder hand they might be toothless then. Stormers win predicted.

Bulls, almost a final before the finals. Great prospect. So many battles to be settled in that game, in fact the only teams that is going to benefit from this battle is the ones waiting the next week.

Sharks(16): v Lions (a); v Blues (h); v Bulls (a); v Stormers (a); v Force (h)

My Prediction- W,W, W, L,W

Final Log Points 36

Lions game will be a hard grudge settling game. There was so much fighting about players between this two teams I would have loved to give all 30 player boxing gloves to settle things once and for all. This will be a true South African derby, they will stop just short of murdering each other.

Sharks to win a low scoring game , they will suffocate the Blues wild running game.

I hate to say it but this will be the first game I think the Bulls will lose at Loftus after such a long winning streak.

The energy sapping game at Loftus will make them a spent force. This will go to the Stormers.

Force will get a hiding at the Shark tank, all the frustrations the Sharks had this season will boil over in this game.

Cheetahs (9): v Crusaders (a); v Chiefs (a); v Blues (h); v Force (h); v Lions (h)

My Prediction- L, L, W, W, W

Final Log Points 22

Typical Cheetah style they will eliminate one of the big teams, the one in Bloemfontein against the Blues is my pick. That will spur them on to their usual late season wonders. Well I wish them some luck too, they don’t have much depth and were severely struck by injuries.

Lions (4): v Sharks (h); v Bulls (a); v Force (h); v Blues (h); v Cheetahs (a)

My Prediction- L, L, L, L, L

Final Log Points 8

If the Lions had 20 log points now this would have been a great home run, the two away games are not further than 2 hours drive by bus. The table was set for a great run in, now it turns out to be  a parade to the wooden spoon.

I really can not see them winning any game this year.