Our man, Kaunda Ntunja of SuperSport’s Phaka Powered by Hollywoodbets, gives us his Super Rugby tips for the third round of the 2020 edition of the tournament!
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Blues vs Crusaders
The return of Richie Mo’unga for the Crusades will definitely lift their spirits after losing to the Chiefs last week. Matches between these two at Eden Park are normally close and this one will be no different.
Phaka Prediction: Crusaders to win by 6 points.
Rebels vs Waratahs
Traditionally the Rebels struggle against the Waratahs but the Tahs have never been this poor before. They were abysmal against the Blues at home last week. Even though the Rebels also haven’t won a match yet, I do see them winning at home in this uninspiring fixture.
Phaka Prediction: Rebels to win by 5 points.
Sunwolves vs Chiefs
I am going to open my wallet again for yet another Sunwolves match. This time I am going to put money on the handicap which is Sunwolves (+20.5). Warren Gatland the Chiefs coach has gone to Tokyo with a weakened Chiefs outfit because he is resting key players. The Chiefs might have enough on the field to sneak a win but they definitely won’t thrash this Sunwolves side laden with foreigners.
Phaka Prediction: Chiefs to win by 4 points.
Hurricanes vs Sharks
The whole week I’ve been telling myself that the Sharks are going to win this match because of the amount of travelling the Hurricanes have to do. That is until I found out that Curwin Bosch has gone back home because of a family bereavement. I am now in two minds. Boeta Chamberlain takes over from Curwin and a lot of my colleagues at SuperSport believe in this kid. I’m going to put my head on the block and back the Sharks in what will probably be their toughest match on tour.
Phaka Prediction: Sharks to win by 3 points.
Brumbies vs Highlanders
The Brumbies are undefeated in 2020 and they will get an appetizing fixture in round 3 against a side that was stunned by the Sharks at home. This one is straight forward for me. Brumbies will win comfortably enough.
Phaka Prediction: Brumbies to win by 10 points.
Lions vs Stormers
Herschel Jantjies is injured and that will be key to the outcome of this match. John Dobson, the Stormers’ coach, is already being tested as to how deep his squad is after many injuries to key players. The Lions didn’t impress me last week and I don’t think they have a team good enough to stop this Storm.
Phaka Prediction: Stormers to win by 10 points.
Jaguares vs Reds
There’s just no way the Jaguares will lose to this young Reds team. The Jaguares let themselves down last week big time by losing to the Hurricanes after being 11 points ahead with 10 minutes to go. They’ll be hurting from that and the Reds will bear the brunt of that pain.
Phaka Prediction: Jaguares to win by 20 points.
Kaunda Ntunja is an isiXhosa Commentator for SuperSport as well as the host of Phaka Powered by Hollywoodbets. He was also part of a Cheetahs squad who won the Currie Cup and captained a Junior Springbok side which included the likes of Fourie du Preez, Schalk Brits, Jean de Villiers and Ricky Januarie.
