Super Rugby Predictions - Round 7
Rugby pundit Brenden Nel hit the jackpot in Week 6 (clap clap!) with a full house return and hopes to keep the momentum going in what is admittedly a more predictable Round 7 of Super Rugby.
But Brenden has always been an advocate of a match by match approach, so he'll be keeping the gloating to a minimum as he sinks his teeth into the next set of predictions.
Based on form and a massively underwhelming return of one win in five starts, Brenden seems a touch hesitant to comfortably predict a Bulls victory over the ever-improving Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday morning (07h15 SA time).
Within his prediction seems to lie a veiled warning that there is still a potential banana peel for the Pretoria side in the Japanese capital, but leans towards the Bulls in a tough game.
The Kings are also on the road and face what Nel terms 'South Africa's 7th franchise' -- the Force -- in Perth. Both sides are basement teams in their respective countries but it would seem that Dave Wessels' Western Australian team will get the better of the Kings on their home patch by a narrow margin. Kick off is at 08h05 SA time Sunday.
The Sharks are at home to the tough Jaguares outfit in Durban in what should be a very physical contest if one looks back at how the Sharks engaged the Lions in Jo'burg last week. Kick off is at 15h05 Saturday afternoon.
A crucial game for the Sharks if they want to stay in touch with their conference leaders, the Lions after that last-gasp defeat by Johan Ackermann's men at Ellis Park.
The Stormers hope to maintain winning momentum and an impressive unbeaten start to their campaign when they host the Chiefs at Newlands.
The Capetonians took 50 from the champions last season, but the Chiefs' form on the road has generally been patchy at times. They are riding on a wave of confidence at the moment and may just inflict the first defeat of the season on the New Zealanders.
A much closer game than last season though, but the smart money is still on the Chiefs to come away on the right side of the scoreline.
The Hurricanes are also expected to match on against the hot and cold-breathing Waratahs in Sydney on Friday -- Kick-off 09h35 while the Brumbies should get the better of the Reds in an Australian derby.
The Kiwi derby between the Highlanders and the Blues should be a good match-up and whether the Auckland side can sustain their momentum picked up since beating the Bulls, remains to be seen at the Highlanders' fortress in Dunedin.
Brenden Nel gives us his thoughts on what will happen in Round 7 of Super Rugby