Super Rugby Week 12 served up some tough pills in the SA conference. The Stormers made their road to the playoffs a little harder by throwing away 4 points against the Cheetahs. Proving only that no team going to the Free State must do so lightly. On to the Highveld, a ripper or a game at Loftus saw the Bulls return to winning ways against a Lions team that, for all money, are punching so high above their weight you almost hold your breath when watching them play. The real runt of the litter this year, and surprisingly so, hails from Durban. Much like a man coming home a little late, on a week night, knowing your wife will be asking questions about the size of that “one beer” you had with old mates, the Sharks are surely out of answers.
That being said though, he who falls behind, gets left behind and this is surely the case in the South African conference this year. As mentioned above the Stormers must be kicking themselves. Speaking of, Kurt Coleman’s kicking most definitely had something to do with the number of bald men in Cape Town this week. That coupled with hookers who couldn’t hit a cows arse with a banjo the boys from the fairest Cape had little chance against a team that simply wanted it more. The Stormers tried and failed dismally, they were outplayed by a bunch of schoolboys and Joe Pietersen. Moving along, Pretoria hosted the Match of the Week. Let me make this clear as day, I have very little support for Pierre Spies. All conversations about the man will from my side be met with a polite, yet painfully firm, “not a fan”. That being said, had it not been for Duane Vermeulen and the form he is in, humble pie would be on the menu for me. For all his flaws, Spies is giving it quite a run and I can respect that. I hope that Heyneke Meyer sees this, nods and moves along. I wont be surprised if Pierre goes along to England come World Cup time. Hell if Bobby Skinstad made it in 2007, one might forgive a RWC cap for Ruck Inspector Spies.
But these things do not a champion make. 12 Weeks into the SuperRugby season we have to take stock and consider the state of the SA conference. The Bulls this week took over the top spot, before they go on tour. The Bulls face a tough trip seeing them play the Chiefs and Brumbies, amongst others, back to back in week 15 and 16. Given the touring history of the boys in blue one will be forgiven for thinking that it’s quite a toughie. The Bulls however, so confused by the level of quality from their outside backs, have left the door open for their neighbours to make a run at the playoffs. This is purely a best case scenario, but a run of home victories and a few inter-conference mishaps might have them in the money rounds. Should the Bulls bomb their tour and the Stormers keep playing like they did over the weekend, the Lions might very well be in the money.
And that is what I want to address, coming in to the home stretch, are the South African teams where they need to be, can we have 2 or, heaven help us, three teams in the playoffs. Currently the Brumbies and the Waratahs occupy position five and six. Both of them on the road, its open season for the local boys. Should the Ausie teams lose and the Cheetahs, for once, do their bit, we can very easily see an All Black v Springboks knock out round. And that, ladies and gentleman, in a world cup year, has me mildly excited. The question though remains, apart from the Stormers, having the easiest run in to the top of the conference, Can it be done? A few things has to fall in place, Pierre Spies has to play well. It hurts, it stings every inch of my being, but it is true. For the Bulls to knock out a good tour they need the example of their old men. This coupled with a forward pack moving forward might be just the spark the outside back need to put on a real show down under. The Bulls must win at least four matches. For the Lions, its more of the same, lets not jinx it. They just need to keep doing what they are doing and they will achieve the impossible. The Stormers will be the real ace. Week 17 sees them tour up to Fly Emirates Park, and hopefully by then the result isn’t that important. The Bulls, Stormers and Lions could each make a further 20 points this season, all with a week off in between. That should see them, or at least two of them, comfortably into the money rounds.
Remaining games:
Vodacom Bulls: Blues, Chiefs, Brumbies, Rebels, Cheetahs
DHL Stormers: Brumbies, Rebels, Cheetahs, Lions, Sharks
Emirates Lions: Highlanders, Brumbies, Cheetahs, Waratahs, Stormers
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