Super Rugby Round 12 Preview Part 2

The Rebels have the passion, the Chiefs the players. The Stormers have the players, the physicality, and the skill; the Cheetahs are all over the place as regards every aspect of rugby, but can beat any team when they hit their straps. The Lions have been a revelation, while the Bulls vacillate between awful, ordinary, and excellent. We have three interesting games on offer.

Rebels v Chiefs

The Rebels do not have the players to win regularly but they do have the coaching and enthusiasm to give opponents a hard time. Whether they have the resources to beat the Chiefs is a moot point, but the Chiefs certainly won’t find this a stroll in the park. The Chiefs know they were no more than mediocre in beating the 14-man Force last week and appreciate that to go through to the semi-finals at the end of June, they’ll have to perform substantially more convincingly than that.

Key players: For the Rebels, their formidable lock Luke Jones is back from injury and Jordy Reid gets an overdue start at openside. Halves Nic Stirzaker and Jack Debreczeni have come on in leaps and bounds. For the Chiefs, the injured Brodie Retallick’s replacement Michael Fitzgerald, emerging star James Lowe at left wing, and Andrew Horrell, who surprisingly gets an opportunity in the 10 jersey while the prodigiously talented Damian McKenzie remains confined to the bench.

The big match-ups: At blindside flank, accomplished All Black Liam Messam vs brilliant young Wallaby rookie Sean McMahon. At 8, Scott Higginbotham vs the captain of Japan, Michael Leitch.

Cheetahs v Stormers

The Stormers are on a mission to consolidate their SA conference log-leading position, while the Cheetahs want to salvage a reputation confirming that they deserve to be taken seriously as a Super Rugby franchise. The Stormers are looking a formidable unit and in winning the Newlands ‘Test match’ against the Bulls, gave notice that they are potential home semi-finalists. The Cheetahs oscillate between haphazard misfits and skilful attackers who can surprise and beat any team. If the players enjoy Naka Drostske as a coach, they need to start winning to save his job.

Key players: Joe Pietersen, back at 10 after being much missed when he moved to 15. Sergeal Petersen at left wing in his Cheetahs debut. The underrated Michael van der Spuy at inside centre. For the visitors, Demetri Catrakilis – how heavily the Stormers lean on his boot for their success – and Damian de Allende, their one constant threat on attack.

The big match-ups: Caylib Oosthuizen vs Frans Malherbe in the scrums. Consistently effective Boom Prinsloo vs back-to-form Siya Kolisi at blindside. Francois Venter vs Juan de Jongh at outside centre.

Bulls v Lions

Look how few Lions players have been invited to the Springbok training camps and you will gain a clear picture as to how intelligent coaching and planning and a commitment to playing to your full potential as a team with very few stars can pan out. There are a number of Super Rugby coaches out there who could learn a lot from the Lions. The Bulls have the structures and resources and players to be Super Rugby champions, and at times have shown they can be contenders for the trophy, but up to now have been too inconsistent. They will need to be at their best at Loftus on Saturday.

Key players: For the Bulls, Jan Serfontein returns at 12 from injury to bolster their attack, Victor Matfield is back at 5 to organise their lineout and disrupt the Lions lineout. Handré Pollard is always key to their performance. For the Lions, dynamic 9 Faf de Klerk and an appreciably more composed Elton Jantjies at 10, and consistently superb loose forwards Warren Whiteley and Warwick Tecklenburg.

The big match-ups: Pollard vs Jantjies at 10, Matfield vs Franco Mostert at 5, Whiteley vs Pierre Spies at 8.