LIONS vs STORMERS
Saturday, May 17 - 3pm
Johannesburg

This is a dangerous one...

Traditionally, the Stormers have battled against the Lions. In fact, in my day, during the successful 'Men in Black' era, we never beat the Cats (as they were known back then) and there was always some niggle and/or controversy back then when we played!

The Stormers beat the Cats for the first time in 2002 and have not lost to them since, but they're a different kettle of fish on their home patch — as the Chiefs found out last week.

They play an attractive brand of rugby, but their defence is frail. The Stormers, however, have the best defence in the Super 14 and I simply cannot see them conceding many tries on Saturday.

I have said this before, but Rassie and Brendan Venter deserve all the credit for the creating such a watertight defence and I hope the Springboks take something out of it into the international season.

It's not the traditional drift defence or outside-in/rush defence, it's more of a controlled, channel-type defence with a late shift - it's very much in a rugby league mould. Two players commit to a ruck and the rest fan out and target the next ruck, whilst every player trusts and believes in the guy on his outside to make his tackle. It's a very intelligent type of defence and it's also very similar to the way the Waratahs defend.

Fleckie's prediction: The Stormers will in all probability need to win and claim a four-try bonus point to have a chance of making the semifinals, but they must worry about the win first — the bonus point will take care of itself. Stormers to win.

CHEETAHS vs BULLS:
Saturday, May 17 - 5.05pm
Bloemfontein

Don't expect to see a full stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday as two disappointing sides go head-to-head.

The Bulls have gone from champs to chumps this year and they need to make changes ahead of next season, but — despite their results this season — I do think the Cheetahs are on the right track under Naka Drotské.

This could become something of a Currie Cup grudge match as the current champions take on the former champions, but don't expect to see a very expansive and exciting match.

Fleckie's prediction: The Bulls to win...

SHARKS vs CHIEFS:
Saturday, May 17 - 7.10pm
Durban

This is another big game and the Sharks are fortunate to go out there knowing exactly what they need to do in order to make the semifinals.

They proved a point against the Cheetahs last week, but it's all to play for once again this weekend and they will find themselves up against a Chiefs side no doubt still licking its wounds after losing to the Lions.

Fleckie's prediction: The Chiefs have a few injury worries to deal with and they are not the greatest tourists at the best of times either, so one would expect the Sharks to come out with a win. That four-try bonus point, however, could just have the final say when it comes to semifinal places.

If my predictions come true, my semifinal line-up would look as follows:

(1) Crusaders
(2) Waratahs
(3) Hurricanes
(4) Stormers

* Saturday night will also see the announcement of Peter de Villiers' first-ever Springbok squad.

De Villiers will be announcing quite a big squad, but it depends on which South African teams make the semifinals. If the Stormers and/or the Sharks make it, a squad without players from those teams will be announced — at the request of Rassie Erasmus and Dick Muir, who do not want their players worrying about Bok selection.

When I was a player squad announcements did not worry me in the least. In fact, when I was playing, making a Springbok squad would often spur me on to perform better in order to justify my selection.

However, I am probably the wrong guy to ask about things like this — not much bothered me as a player... I am sure there will be a few nervous players out there, although I am pretty sure most guys should have an inkling about whether they're in the mix or not.

Anyhow, next week I will take a look at De Villiers's squad and give my views on his selections... or non-selections.

Enjoy the weekend's rugby,
Fleckie

  • Email Fleckie at sports@metropolis.co.za with your Super 14 picks for this week!

  • Fleckie's 'Last Word' will appear weekly on iafrica.com, so log on next week for more Super 14 views and predictions.

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