Super Rugby Round 15 Preview Part 2

The Highlanders have stopped off in Perth to play the rejuvenated Force after their fortnight in South Africa, the Cheetahs are hoping to up their game as the competition draws to a close while the Lions still aim the play-offs, and at Newlands the Rebels would like to score another surprise win.

Force v Highlanders

The Force were on a downward losing spiral, with real effort going consistently unrewarded by victories, before they beat the Waratahs, but that win may have served to bolster confidence that they can execute their gameplan effectively and achieve hard-earned wins. The Highlanders come off an impressive win against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, and will want their backs to play with similar skill and flair in Perth on their way home. The home team’s defence will be tested by the magic of the Highlanders attacking creativity, and the result is likely to be determined by how competently they can cope with containing the visitors’ attack.

Key players:
For the Force, Kyle Godwin, moving from outside to inside centre, and Marcel Brache from wing to outside centre. Matt Hodgson – their perennial standout player. Ben Smith plays his 100^th game for the Highlanders, and as always for the Otago team, so much centres around his attacking skills. Waisake Naholo, the competition’s leading try-scorer.

The big match-ups:
At 13, Marcel Brache vs Malakai Fekitoa. At 9, All Black test star Aaron Smith vs Super Rugby rookie Ryan Louwrens. At 8, Ben McCalman vs Nasi Manu.

Cheetahs v Lions

The Cheetahs are about to lose coaches Naka Drotske and Os du Randt – both Free State icons – but showed no signs last week of sending them off with a few wins as tribute. Again they conceded too many points to come close to winning. The Lions have already won more games than expected by friend or foe – and have won many new admirers with their style of play and their wonderful enthusiasm – but they do not have the player quality and depth to win consistently. They are 10 log points clear of the Sharks and 11 ahead of the Cheetahs; a win at Free State Stadium will allow them to keep challenging the Bulls and Stormers for the conference leadership.

Key players:
With Sarel Pretorius and Joe Pietersen still injured, Tian Meyer and Francois Brummer again assume vital roles for the Cheetahs. The Lions game revolves around their numbers 6 to 10: Jaco Kriel, Warwick Tecklenburg, Warren Whiteley , Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies.

The big match-ups:
At outside centre, Lionel Mapoe vs Francois Venter. At 8, Whiteley vs former Lion Willie Britz. Openside flanks Kriel and Cheetahs stand-in Carel Greeff.

Stormers v Rebels

The Rebels have fewer stars and less depth than many of their opponents, but have scored upset wins against the odds, and need to be taken seriously by even the strongest teams. The Stormers are in a tight contest with the Bulls and Lions for the SA conference and any of the three slipping now gives the others a significant boost. The Stormers cannot afford to lose at Newlands on Saturday. Dare supporters hope for a four-try bonus point? Even their most fervent fans have little faith in the Stormers attacking prowess, so four tries would come as a bonus for the Newlands faithful – who keep coming to Newlands in their tens of thousands, unlike at other stadiums.

Key players:
For the Stormers, props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe – the most potent scrummagers in Super Rugby 2015. Scarra Ntubeni for his lineout throwing-in. Jack Debreczeni has grown into a major contributor to the Rebels campaign. Sean McMahon, an exceptional blindside flank. Scott Fuglistaller, selected at openside ahead of the superbly performing Jordy Reid.

The big match-ups:
In the scrums, Cruze Ah-Nau vs Malherbe, and Paul Alo-Emile vs Kitshoff. At 8, heavyweight warriors Scott Higginbotham vs Duane Vermeulen.