No real surprise this weekend. Every match the winner as predicted. Only the margins a bit skew but no real train smashes. Even the Cheetahs and the Lions showed heart and passion  in defense and that is enough. Finally the Sharks and Stormers hit top gear and every single game will be crucial. Now the difference between men and boys and everything to play for. Congrats to the Sharks however for their first away win as expected and hopefully they will meet the Blues in top gear.

Boer Calculator
This week only the bonus points to correct and all the games went as planned. The end results still Crusaders, Blues on top. Only three points difference between the next lot, Bulls, Sharks, Brumbies, Chiefs and Force. Then a little gap of two points for the next lot Stormers, Canes and Lions another 3 points difference between the next lot Clan & Cheetahs which leave the wooden spooners Tahs and Reds. So really any bonus point for the middle two groups can mean a semi place.

Blues vs Cheetahs
I said beforehand the Cheetahs should defend for their dear life and so they did. The Blues did win but hats off to this youngster Cheetah side. Previous years that would have been a 40 -0 drubbing but not so. Not even a bonus point for the Blues and the Cheetahs were still in it just before half time. Then the ref yes no and it all ended in a Howlett try. The next Blues try was real class and magic. The Cheetahs and the Chiefs showed the Blues weak point like any other team. They are also flesh and blood and don’t like physicality and in the face defense. Surely the Sharks wisemen would have take note from this. Cheetahs will go positive in the Canes game and hopefully they can bring some their big names back for this game.

Highlanders vs Chiefs
I was glad to woke up for this one. Some very good running rugby but really the defensive lines were broken much to easy. Just when you thought the Chiefs have the game in the bag, back come the Highlanders. A bit of tit for tat but luckily the Chiefs survive the tit and end up with the tat as well. Hopefully their fortunes have change and get the backup they deserve.

Reds vs Sharks
Waiting for 9 rounds of rugby to see the Sharks explotion. First they defend their line for life and then they hit back and score some nice tries, the old Danie Craven recepy way. Soften up first and then hit with the backs. OK the Reds are clueless but still just the right tonic for the Sharks. Some nice skills and touches from the youngster backies. AJ Venter on the frontline and good to see Skinstad is getting to match sharpness. We desperately need the Sharks to get to their best form. This weekend they need to be at their best.

Saders vs Force
No really match in the end. This Saders team look unbeatable but if you want to give them a go you must show passion out there. Can leave them to play their way and that is exactly what the Force did. Really the Force need to stepup if they want to make the semis. The Saders are going only one way and that’s S14 champions again. The team that want to beat them have to be in their faces and on the backfoot for 80 minutes.

Stormers vs Lions
We all know what happen if this Stormers team decide to play to their potential. Well Saturday they did and I have to feel for the Lions. Don’t matter if they loose the plot now , they have already achieve more this year then all of the years before in S12 & S14 rugby. The Stormers light five struggle a bit first but even with that the Barry, Paulsen and kie look like they mean business. They target exactly the area I thought they would in midfield and boy once the light five join the party that loosies is unstoppable. Schalk, Melck and Watson was all over them and when forwards like Bekker and the  Britze start breaking lines you know its party time for Stormers supporters. This derby game was one of the best I have seen from the Saffer teams. The defense was out of the top drawer and a handful of maybe tries was stop on the tryline from both teams. Jantjes was the missing part from the Stormers arsenal in previous games and once agains show Festers faults. This guy was for the first time in 15 and Russell and Big Joe joined just the right time.  This was also just the right tonic for the Stormers team and the North South derby next week should be the game to watch. The Stormers can watch the two Canes tapes against the teams to get them all they need to put the Bulls away. They showed against the Saders they need business. Have to mention my sympathy for the Rose man. First Dougie and Saturday Breytie. The Newlands crowd also gave him some battering everytime he touch the ball.

Brumbies vs Tahs
Look like the Tahs and the ref decided to give the Brumbies this game. As good as the Tahs played last week, so clueless they play today. No commitment in defense and the Brumbies take that. The old hand Larken start to hit top form now and hopefully he stayed injury free for the Wallabies.

No upsets this week and now the real fun begins.