17/04/2008 12:16

Tank Lanning

So Naka's Cheetahs take a breather after the hammering they took in the first half against the Stormers last weekend, but Saturday sees the other four SA sides in action, and quite pleasantly, not against each other. It should make for some amazing viewing.

This is the way I see the weekend panning out...

Chiefs v Crusaders: My prediction - Chiefs by 5
A pretty big, bold and brash prediction up front, it has to be said! But the Crusaders did not look that flash against the seriously ordinary Lions last weekend, and even with talisman captain McCaw back in the mix, I detect a little crack appearing in the black and reds. I am sure they will pull it together in time for the semis, but the Chiefs, after smashing the Brumbies on their own patch, and then enjoying a weekend off, are a side capable of taking on the Crusaders. They will need Stephen Donald to bring his 'A' game, though, and from what we have seen this year, there is no guarantee of that!

Reds v Force: My prediction - Force by 6
Interesting tussle in fact. With the Waratahs having got one over the Force last week, a loss to the Reds this weekend will see the Perth pretenders take the mantle of worst Aussie side in the tournament. And as the most recently constituted side in that part of the world, the poor cousin status is something they will be fighting hard to avoid. The Reds, on the other hand, are fresh from a defeat to perennial strugglers, the Cheetahs, and very un-fresh after the long trip home, so I see the Force finding some form to take this one.

Waratahs v Lions: My prediction - Waratahs by 22
Eugene Eloff has made a few changes to the kitty cats for this match, the biggest of them being the return of Jaco Pretorius to outside centre, but to be honest, the man could make 15 changes while doing flick flaks in the nick on the steps of the Sydney Opera House and it would make no difference. The 'Tahs are on the up and in the running for a semi-final spot, and I cannot see them slipping up this weekend.

Brumbies v Sharks: My prediction - Brumbies by 3
Toughest call of the weekend for me. The Sharks have by hook and by crook, quite literally on occasion, managed to scrape a draw and a win from their tour thus far, but I just cannot see their luck continuing forever. The Brumbies are by no means the side they used to be, and could easily cough this up, but given the confidence they will take from the win against the Blues, I see the wild horses spoiling that unbeaten Sharks record.

Bulls v Highlanders: My prediction - Bulls by 8
I have absolutely no idea why I keep doing this to myself. Predicting a Bulls win that is, but I keep looking at the side on paper, and I just cannot convince myself that they can be as dire as they have been. I do prefer Morne Steyn at flyhalf, though, and perhaps the change in captaincy will do for the light blues what it did for the Reds? Like Mr Mbeki when speaking about Zimbabwe, so Mr Ludeke believes there is no crisis in Pretoria. Prove my prediction wrong, old bean, and you will be introduced to more than a crisis!

Stormers v Hurricanes: My prediction - Stormers by 4
A brutal decision for me. The 'Canes are the side I most enjoy watching in this tournament and if they produce the rugby they are capable of, there is actually no side that can keep them in check. But I am not sure I would be allowed into the press box at Newlands if I were to publicly predict a Stormers loss! Of real concern was the second half against the Cheetahs last weekend, but this prediction is based on the rugby seen in the first half, which was just sublime!

So no doubt the tar is on the boil in Durban and the ostrich feathers have been plucked and neatly stacked, but one has to predict with one's head and not one's heart ? and I really do I hope I get proved wrong, for what it's worth!

Why not go for the mad four? Bucks fizz with your eggs for the Lions game, Pimms with your cucumber sandwiches for the Sharks game, Red Bull and Vodka to perk you up during the Bulls game, and then the traditional cold beer with tjoppies and wors for the grand Stormers finale...

It's been done before...