This weekend will see two cracking South African derbies take place on Saturday the 15th of June 2019. Shaun Goosen previews the Round 18 Super Saturday Rugby fixtures.
Jaguares v Sunwolves
00h10
Estadio Amalfitani
To Win
Jaguares 1/20
Draw 30/1
Sunwolves 17/2
Handicap
Jaguares (-21.5) 9/10
Sunwolves (+21.5) 9/10
Having already claimed the SA conference title, the Jaguares will look to this weekend’s match against the Sunwolves as a means to cement second-place overall.
A win for the Argentines will see them host a quarterfinal next week.
The Jaguares have been far and away the most consistent side in their conference this season and fully deserve a spot in the knockouts.
Verdict: Jaguares (-21.5) 9/10
Coming up against the bottom-placed Sunwolves, Gonzalo Quesada’s men have a perfect opportunity to consolidate a last eight appearance. They should get the job done comfortably.
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Hurricanes v Blues
09h35
Wellington Regional Stadium
To Win
Hurricanes 2/7
Draw 25/1
Blues 26/10
Handicap
Hurricanes (-9.5) 9/10
Blues (+9/5) 9/10
Having already nailed down fourth-spot, the Hurricanes may use their effective dead-rubber with the Blues this weekend as a way to give some key men a break.
Despite accumulating the second-most points in the competition thus far, the farcical Super Rugby format means the 2016 champions are destined to finish outside of the top three – an honor strictly reserved for conference winners.
Nevertheless, they can rest easy knowing they have a home date next week with the fifth-placed side already wrapped up. John Plumtree’s players have again been exceptional in 2019 and really are unlucky not to be rewarded with a potential second-place finish.
Verdict: Hurricanes (-9.5) 9/10
The Blues, with nothing but pride to play for, shouldn’t pose too much of a threat.
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Brumbies v Reds
11h45
GIO Stadium
To Win
Brumbies 1/4
Draw 25/1
Reds 3/1
Handicap
Brumbies (-10.5) 9/10
Reds (+10.5) 9/10
A win for the Brumbies over the Reds in Canberra on Saturday could see them leapfrog the Jaguares into second place overall.
Victory for the home side, along with a Sunwolves win in Buenos Aires earlier in the day, would see the two-time winners host a quarterfinal next week as runners-up on the overall standings.
Admittedly, though, a loss for the Argentines remains a highly unlikely prospect, though the Brumbies should still come out guns blazing this Saturday.
Verdict: Brumbies (-10.5) 9/10
Their 35-24 win over the Waratahs in Sydney last week sealed the Australia conference title and, considering the way they have played for much of this season, they should be too much for the lowly Reds on the weekend.
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Stormers v Sharks
15h05
DHL Newlands
To Win
Stormers 6/10
Draw 22/1
Sharks 27/20
Handicap
Stormers (-3.5) 9/10
Sharks (+3.5) 9/10
There will be plenty to play for when the Stormers host the Sharks at DHL Newlands on Saturday.
Depending on the results of Friday’s games, a draw should still be enough for the Stormers to qualify for next week’s playoffs. For the Sharks, it would mean the end of the road.
The Newlands clash is effectively a knockout in itself with the winner set to go through to next week’s playoffs.
Verdict: Stormers (-3.5) 9/10
The contest in Cape Town is expected to be as bruising as ever, but the Stormers should be favored to take the W at home and extend their season by at least one game.
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Bulls v Lions
17h15
Loftus Versfeld
To Win
Bulls 11/20
Draw 25/1
Lions 29/20
Handicap
Bulls (-4.5) 9/10
Lions (+4.5) 9/10
With just a point separating them, the Bulls and Lions’ respective playoff fortunes will each be given a big boost with victory at Loftus Versfeld.
The hosts are unlikely to finish lower than eighth and have virtually already confirmed their spot in next week’s playoffs. The Lions, meanwhile, will qualify with a win or a draw. Swys de Bruin’s men can even do so by nabbing a losing bonus-point this Saturday.
Verdict: Bulls by five
Playing at home, though, the Bulls should come away with four-log points. The injury-hit Lions should be able to finish within seven-points of their bitter foes to ensure both teams qualify for the playoffs.
