Darry Worthington runs the rule over the five Super Rugby games taking place on Saturday the 22nd of February.
There’s a cracking Saturday Super Rugby fixtures list for ruby fans to sink their teeth into this weekend with tons of cross-country action.
While all five fixtures look rather tantalizing, the pick of the bunch will undoubtedly be the clash between the unbeaten Stormers outfit and the solid Jaguares squad.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
Rebels v Sharks
Saturday 22 February
Mars Stadium
05:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Rebels 11/10
Draw 25/1
Sharks 15/20
Handicap
Rebels
Sharks
The Sharks will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season when they take on a Rebels side that managed to get off the mark last weekend with an impressive victory over the Waratahs in the wet.
Despite going down 38-22, the Natalians actually gave a decent account of themselves last weekend putting up a real fight for against a Hurricanes side that really clicked into gear. The Sharks were in the game up until the final 25 minutes where their inexperience and fatigue cost them.
There is good news for Sharks fans this week with Curwin Bosch set to return after being given the week off due to a family bereavement. His availability is a massive coup for the Sharks who lost deputy fly-half, Boeta Chamberlin, to injury early in the piece against the ‘Canes.
Verdict: Sharks
While the Rebels did impress last week I reckon they’ll struggle against a Sharks side who will have been targeting this game. My money is on the hosts making if three wins from four starts.
Chiefs v Brumbies
Saturday 22 February
FMG Waikato
08:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Chiefs 1/7
Draw 30/1
Brumbies 9/2
Handicap
Chiefs
Brumbies
The Chiefs will be hunting for their fourth win in four games when they take on a Brumbies side that has won two of their first three fixtures.
The hosts come into this one off the back of a regulation victory over the Sunwolves that saw them run up a 17-43 scoreline out in Japan.
The Brumbies didn’t fare quite as well during Round 3 as they conceded a late try to go down 22-23 to the Highlanders.
Verdict: Chiefs
While it is a big handicap, the Chiefs look in prime position to clear having left a number of their big guns at home while the rest of the squad was taking on the Sunwolves.
Reds v Sunwolves
Saturday 22 February
Suncorp Stadium
10:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Reds 1/9
Draw 30/1
Sunwolves 5/1
Handicap
Reds
Sunwolves
The Sunwolves venture out of Asia for the first time this year, with their opening away fixture being a rather tough one against a Reds side that will be seething after they threw away – with the aid of a dodgy referee – a massive half-time lead over the Jaguares.
While Reds coach Brad Thorn will not be pleased with the 43-27 defeat, he will be very excited about the performance of young centre Hunter Paisami, who had an absolute blinder.
The visitors will have a lot fewer positives to take away from last weeks 26 point defeat to the Chiefs as they once again got off to a good start and then were routed during the second stanza.
Verdict: Reds
I really fancy the Reds to run up a big score here. The Sunwolves are struggling with their conditioning at the moment, and I can see yet another second-half blitz marring the ‘Wolves first away game.
Stormers v Jaguares
Saturday 22 February
DHL Newlands
15:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Stormers 9/20
Draw 20/1
Jaguares 7/4
Handicap
Stormers
Jaguares
The undefeated Stormers will face a massive challenge this week as last season’s runners-up come to town.
John Dobson’s men managed to snatch victory from the hands of defeat out in Johannesburg last Saturday with an 81sth-minute try from Ruhan Nel ensuring they maintained their perfect start to the season.
The Jaguares also launched an impressive late counter punch last weekend as they overturned a 24-7 half-time deficit to beat the Reds 43-27. Hooker Julian Montoya and the Jaguares maul must take the credit for the turn around as he managed to score three second-half tries off the back of their powerful rolling lineout.
Verdict: Stormers
While I’d be more confident having a strike on this one if Herschel Janjties was guaranteed to start, I’m still confident having a crack on the Stormers minus even if the livewire Springbok nine misses out.
Bulls v Blues
Saturday 22 February
Loftus Versfeld
17:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Bulls 21/20
Draw 20/1
Blues 8/10
Handicap
Bulls
Blues
The Bulls and Blues will bring the curtain down of Saturday’s action. This will be a true clash of styles with the Bulls reverting back to their old-school style of play since the return of Morne Steyn and the Blues playing an attacking, if not always profitable, brand of rugby.
The hosts head into this one off the back of a very necessary bye week. The hope will be that they have managed to regroup and come up with something new after losing their opening two fixtures to the Sharks and Stormers, respectively.
The Blues, who have played one more game than their opponents, have fared slightly better than their hosts winning one of their opening three fixtures. That victory did come against a hopeless Waratahs side, however.
Verdict: Blues
The Bulls are going to go nowhere if they bank on Morne Steyn winning them games with the boot. Even if they drop the veteran and throw in one of the more attacking tens in their stable I think they’ll still struggle against a dangerous if not consistent Blues side.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets.
