Super Rugby Predictions - Round 10
Rugby scribe Brenden Nel hopes his magic wand is back in working condition again this week as he gives us his Super Rugby predictions
Thanks to the 'snorefest' at Kings Park between the Sharks and the Rebels and an unexpected Kings victory in Sydney last weekend,rugby scribe Brenden Nel had to settle for a 6/8 return in Round 9.
Nobody could have foreseen that horror show at the Shark Tank and Andre Esterhuizen's rush of blood to the head. Coach Robert du Preez may not have found favour with the Sharks authorities -- a certain Nick Mallett got fired for less -- but there was certainly merit in his statement that the fans should be 'refunded'.
A whole new call to #PayBacktheMoney.
Again Brenden admits that he never had the 'guts' to back the Kings in Sydney, but he should have gone with his initial instinct.
The Stormers visit Dunedin this week (Friday 09h35 SA time) following a 57-24 mauling by the rampant Crusaders last week, but seem quite relaxed in the face of it.
Brenden lists the Cape Town boys as his 'wildcard' for the week and backs them to win ugly, but win by a slim margin.
The Lions start their tour Down Under in Perth against the Force on Saturday (13h55 SA time).
The Joburg side travelled surprisingly well last season but shouldn't be too easily lulled into a sense of false security against Aussie sides low on confidence and self-belief.
The Force, much like the Kings and the Cheetahs are a desperate side and could be axed from Super Rugby at the end of the season and their will to prove their detractors wrong could be a banana peel for Johan Ackermann's boys, but highly unlikely.
After last week's pathetic show in Durban, the Sharks may find the going tough against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires (Saturday 21h40 SA time).
Most teams visiting the Argentine capital have found the going tough against a Puma-laden Jaguares side and the Sharks should be no exception.
It is also disruptive to make the long cross-Atlantic dash to South America for a single match before heading back home. Brenden has the Jaguares to win this one.
Other matches:
The Kings are back on home soil where they host the Rebels (Saturday 19h30).
Their flame is still burning despite the axe hanging over their heads and will be bouyed by their win last week in Sydney.
Shot in the dark -- Kings to make it two on the bounce.The Cheetahs will have to find that 80-minute performance against the seemingly unstoppable Crusaders in Bloemfontein, but one can't help feeling the New Zealanders will settle quickly at altitude and be too strong for the Free Staters.
Other Matches:
Chiefs to down the Sunwolves in Hamilton (Saturday 09h35 SA time), Reds-Waratahs Aussie dogfight in Brisbane (Saturday 11h45 SA time) and Brumbies at home to the Blues in Canberra (08h05 on Sunday).
WATCH: Super Rugby Predictions: Round 10