22 May 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld

SUPER RUGBY PREDICTIONS – ROUND 15

The Bulls will be locked in another clash of conference leaders when they battle the Brumbies on Friday.

The Pretoria side sat atop the South African Conference when they came up against the table-topping and New Zealand Conference-leading Crusaders a couple of weeks ago and will be hoping for a better outcome against Australia’s top team.

With just six points separating the Bulls (32) and Stormers (26) at opposite ends of the South African Conference, every match is a must-win for the five franchises involved from here on out.

The Bulls and Jaguares (second, on 32 points) will fancy their chances in Canberra and Sydney after watershed tour triumphs last week, while the Stormers will want to replicate their strong showing against the Crusaders when they host the Highlanders.

A blockbuster South African derby will wrap up Round 15 with the Sharks (fourth, on 29 points) and Lions (third, on 30 points) going head-to-head in Durban.

Fourteen hosts thirteen. The Chiefs, seemingly cursed by injury, have been shooting blanks this season and were particularly disappointing in Auckland last weekend, where they slumped to a 23-8 loss, their first to the Blues in eight years. They’ll want to make it up to their fans back at home and should be able to do that against a young Reds team on a two-match losing streak.

Prediction: Chiefs by 10. (Suggested BET – Chiefs by 1-12 points)

After getting the monkey off their back with a win three years in the making in Melbourne last Friday, the Bulls will be looking to ride that momentum to another win on Australian soil. Both teams top their respective conferences, with the Bulls having won seven of their 12 games, one more than their hosts.

The Brumbies have won both of their battles against South African opposition this season, beating the Lions 31-20 and Stormers 19-17. They’ve also clinched five of their six home games, including a 33-0 rout of the Sunwolves prior to last week’s bye. Two key factors tip the scales in the Brumbies’ favour. Bulls’ MVP Handre Pollard is being rested as per Springbok protocol, while the Bulls haven’t managed back-to-back tour wins since 2007, when they famously secured their maiden title.

Prediction: Brumbies by 5. (Suggested BET – Brumbies by 1-12 points)

The Sunwolves suffered the above-mentioned 33-0 battering by the Brumbies last time out, but at least they had a week off to recover and plot a return to form. The Rebels will be smarting after the home loss to the Bulls, which cost them pole position in the Australian Conference. Expect a backlash from the Australian franchise as they hunt the full five points in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Prediction: Rebels by 12. (Suggested BET – Rebels -7.5)

A whopping 23 points separate the sides on the log, but that’s not to say it won’t be a thrilling all-New Zealand affair. Their season-opening showdown sure was a barnburner. The Blues missed a golden opportunity to upset the defending champions, as Augustine Pulu missed his penalty attempt with just two minutes to go, allowing the ‘Saders to escape with a 24-22 win. The Crusaders earned two penalty tries through forward dominance and that’ll be the big difference between the teams again.

Prediction: Crusaders by 15. (Suggested BET –  Crusaders -13.5)

A real tough one to call. The Waratahs may have got back to winning ways last weekend against the Reds, but the momentum is on the side of the Jaguares. The Argentinians upset the second best team in the tournament in their own backyard last Friday – inflicting the ‘Canes’ first home defeat to an overseas outfit since 2015 – and have won five of their last six. I’m going with the red-hot visitors.

Prediction: Jaguares by 2. (Suggested BET – Jaguares to win)

If the Stormers play as they did in the draw with the Crusaders, they should win this one. That’s a big if, though. Like the other South African teams, the Capetonians have been inconsistent this season, but last weekend’s performance would’ve given them plenty of confidence.

The Highlanders, in contrast, weren’t near their best in the loss to the Lions. The Stormers currently find themselves last in the South African Conference, making this a must-win for them. Fortunately for Robbie Fleck, his key forwards are starting to peak and their defence held up well against the dangerous ‘Saders. Those should be enough to guide them to victory here.

Prediction: Stormers by 3. (Suggested BET – Stormers – 2.5)

Much has happened since the sides’ first clash back in April. The Sharks have won one, drawn one and lost three, while the Lions have won three and lost two since then. So, how much weight does the Sharks’ 42-5 win at Ellis Park in Round Eight hold heading into the rematch? It’s difficult to say.

Given the runaway win, you have to favour the Sharks, despite their recent win-loss record. They’ve been dreadful in Durban, though, winning just two of their six home games this season. What’s different about this Kings Park clash is its timing. Falling squarely in the business end of the competition, there is no room for the complacency that’s curtailed the Sharks at home in 2019.

Last week’s bye gave the Sharks an opportunity to recuperate after their successful but taxing tour. Should they avoid a slow start – something that’s hamstrung South African sides after their rest weeks this year – they should be able to use that to their advantage. The Sharks have looked like a different team with Curwin Bosch at flyhalf and have the bigger, more physical loose trio to dominate the ruck and gainline battles.

Prediction: Sharks by 5. (Suggested BET – Sharks -3.5)

BET: Super Rugby 2019