The penultimate weekend of round-robin Super 14 action is upon us and what a finale it promises to be!

The Sharks third successive defeat last weekend means they need a full-house of 10 points from their remaining fixtures, as well as relying on the likes of the Hurricanes, Chiefs or Stormers losing at least one of their remaining two games.

The Sharks play the Chiefs in the final game of the round-robin stages next weekend which could decide who secures that fourth spot on the log.

The Crusaders have all but wrapped up top spot on the standings which means they will host one of the semifinals.

Second spot is wide open with the Waratahs, Hurricanes and Stormers all vying for a home semifinal.

It's a promoters dream as the race for the play-offs is set to go down to the wire.

Saturday's pick sees a classic at Newlands where the Stormers take on the Waratahs in a massive encounter.

A win for the home team will lift them above the Waratahs into third spot and give them a chance of getting a home semifinal.

The Chiefs travel to Ellis Park to face the Lions and will be banking on all five points against a Lions team that has failed to deliver all season.

With so much at stake, lets take a look at the final three games of Round 13.

Saturday, 10 May

Sharks vs Cheetahs
Absa Stadium, Durban, 15.00 (13.00 GMT)

It's do-or-die for the Sharks this weekend. They have to get five points from this game. It's non-negotiable if they hope to reach their second Super 14 Final in as many years.

They endured a diabolical tour by their lofty standards and will be looking to bounce back on their home turf.

The Cheetahs have had a wretched campaign to date. They have conceded the most points (335), indicating their defence is pretty poor. The Sharks will be looking to exploit this weakness.

Regular skipper Johan Muller has been ruled out because of injury. His absence and more importantly, his leadership, will be sorely missed, however in AJ Venter they have an experienced head who has seen it all before.

The big talking point with regards to the Sharks is the selection of Adrian Jacobs at No.13. The stocky centre has been used extensively as a super sub for the past two seasons but has a knack of finding space out wide.

His combination with the creative Frans Steyn in the midfield could just be the spark that has been missing in the Sharks repertoire this season. Watch out for these two — it could be exciting stuff.

The Cheetahs defence out wide has been poor and the Sharks have the calibre of players to take advantage of this, although they have failed to set the world alight with their attacking play this season. They will need to do just that to have a shot at the semifinals come next weekend.

Flyhalf Ruan Pienaar will need to do a lot less kicking and more running and passing. For some reason the Sharks have adopted a conservative approach this year, preferring to kick for territory and not backing their running ability.

That self-belief needs to come to the fore on Saturday. The Sharks have nothing to lose in that they know they need to score tries so they might as well give it a full go, rather than surrender meekly.

The home team have more talent in the backline and this is where they should focus their efforts.

That's not to say they are fragile up front. Quite the opposite in fact.

The 37-year-old Johann Ackermann has made a sensational return to the Sharks starting XV and will bring some much needed experience to the pack.

Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis is back and will beef up the front row even more. He will be itching to put in a good performance after we went off the boil somewhat overseas.

I'm really excited to see the two No.8's in action. Ryan Kankowski has been the form No.8 of the season. His try against the Crusaders last week was a absolute pearler. He handed off All Black skipper Richie McCaw with utter disdain, before beating two more defenders to score after breaking off the back of the scrum. Superb!

His opposite number Duanne Vermeulen has been the shining light in a grim campaign for the Cheetahs. He doesn't hold back and gives 100 percent every time he runs onto the field. It's going to be a battle royal between these two young guns on Saturday.

Kankowsi will be instrumental in the Sharks' attacking endevours so the men from Bloemfontein better keep an eye on him.

This game should be a real spectacle. Both sides will run it, of that I'm sure. The Cheetahs will attempt to give their speedster Jongi Nokwe space out wide, whilst the home team will try expose the weak defence of Naka Drotske's men.

Nokwe's has come on in leaps and bounds this season under the stewardship of Drotske. I must be honest and admit that I doubted Nokwe had the pedigree to cope with the rigours of Super 14 rugby, but I'm delighted to say he's proved me wrong. If he can brush up on his defensive work then he can become a really good player.

Odwa Ndungane will be the man entrusted with marking the fleet-footed Nokwe. He doesn't have the pace to match the Cheetahs wing, but he is a clever player, so I'm sure he will have devised a tactic to nullify Nokwe.

Prediction: The Sharks need to win to keep their semifinal hopes alive, and they need to win well. They will do so in emphatic fashion. Sharks by 15!

Recent results:
2007: Sharks won 30-14, Bloemfontein
2006: Cheetahs won 27-26, Durban

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 AJ Venter (captain), 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johan Ackermann, 4 Albert van den Berg, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Steven Sykes, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Bradley Barritt, 22 Waylon Murray.

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Conrad Barnard, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Duanne Vermeulen, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Rory Duncan, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Bees Roux, 18 David de Villiers, 19 Hendro Scholtz, 20 Tewis de
Bruyn, 21 Bevin Fortuin, 22 Hendrik Meyer.

Referee: Willie Roos (South Africa)
Touch judges: JC Fortuin (South Africa), Pro Legoete (South Africa)
Television match official: Michael Cupido (South Africa)

Auto & General Lions vs Chiefs
Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 17.00 (15.00 GMT)

The Chiefs will be desperate to get back to winning ways after their surprise loss to the Force last weekend. They will need to win to stay amongst the semifinal hopefuls and they should!

The Lions have been terrible this season. They haven't won since the opening round and find themselves at the bottom of the log. I suspect their losing streak will continue on Saturday.

The Chiefs backline have some potent game-breakers in their ranks. With Lelia Masaga topping the try-scoring list, Ryno Benjamin will have his work cut out marking the Chiefs speedster.

Benjamin has cost his side a number of tries this season with his poor hands and inability to read the play. He will need to put in a committed effort on Saturday if he wants to deal with Masaga.

Talking of players costing the Lions, fullback Earl Rose will need to pull up his socks. He had an absolute nightmare against the 'Canes last week and the Chiefs will definitely be putting pressure on the wilted Rose.

Both teams have made the long trip from New Zealand so fatigue could come into play in the final 30 minutes or so. This is when the dangerous Chiefs backs could tear the Lions defence to shreds.

Sitiveni Sivivatu has shown his class this season and has combined extremely well with his partner in crime, Lelia Masaga. I'm putting money on one of them, if not both, scoring a few tries.

The home side will be buoyed by the return by Jaque Fourie for the first time this season. His experience has been sorely missed by the young Lions but it's debatable whether the Bok No.13 will make that much of a difference after such a long lay-off. He won't be match fit but his mere presence should help the youngsters around him. He is a class player — something the Lions have lacked in their ranks this season, but he's not superman and he won't swing the result his team's way.

The Lions will need to improve dramatically from their dreadful performance last week, where they were pathetic to say the least. Their spirits are clearly broken after a dismal campaign and I can't see them picking themselves up for this one.

On the other hand the Chiefs will be hugely motivated to do well on Saturday. They have everything to play for, whilst the Lions have nothing to play for. You can throw the whole 'pride' thing around, but pride can only get you so far.

The Chiefs have superior skill, superior confidence and superior players. Only a minor miracle will prevent a Chiefs win and don't expect any miracles on Saturday.

Prediction: The Lions are at an all-time low, whilst the Chiefs are in the hunt for the semifinals. Two teams on either end of the scale. The Chiefs should run rampant in Johannesburg. Chiefs by at least 20!

Recent results:
2007: Chiefs won 34-7, Hamilton
2006: Lions won 21-16, Johannesburg

Teams:

Auto & General Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Jaco van Schalkwyk, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Joe van Niekerk, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Dewald Senekal, 3 JC Janse van Rensburg, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Wilhelm Koch, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Jannie Boshoff, 22 Dusty Noble.

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (captain), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Dwayne Sweeney, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Ben Castle,2 Tom Willis, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Simon Lemalu, 18 Jono Gibbes, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 David Bason, 21 Viliame Waqaseduadua, 22 Sosene Anesi.

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Brett Bowden (Australia), Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

Stormers vs Waratahs
Newlands, Cape Town, 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

A monstrous clash! It's the game of the weekend for sure. It's the clash I'm looking forward to the most (it helps being a Stormers fan).

After the Waratahs succumbed to the Bulls last week, the Stormers have a golden opportunity of overtaking the Sydney outfit on the log.

If they do that they will be in a great position to contest for that second spot. The Hurricanes have the upper hand at the moment but have a tough final game against the Blues next week.

In saying that if the Waratahs win, they will be favourite to secure a home semifinal along with the Crusaders. It goes to show how every important this game is to both sides. It's basically a knock-out game.

Schalk Burger's absence last week against the Brumbies meant that Luke Watson had to play a lot tighter than he has been playing this season. He did that and will need to do it again on Saturday.

With Rocky Elsom back in the fray for the 'Tahs, they will look to him to create the go forward ball. Waratahs No.8 Wycliff Palu has been immense this season, as has skipper Phil Waugh. These three will be a handful for the Stormers loose trio. Jean de Villiers' men will need to shut down these three as much as possible if they are to stay in the play-off hunt.

The weather forecast is not looking that flash. With rain forecast for the game, the battle for supremacy will hinge on how the loosies dominate on the ground. If it's wet, the forwards will play a major roll in the game.

The Stormers' scrum struggled in the second half against the Brumbies so this could be an area that the 'Tahs might target. But the Sydney franchise have front row problems of their own. Matt Dunning has been ruled out and Al Baxter took a nasty knock in training so this could neglect any advantage that they may have had in the scrums.

Stormers lock Andries Bekker has been immense this season and could play a pivotal roll again on Saturday. The 'Tahs also have a world class line-out jumper in Dan Vickermann — expect a right old tussle between these two big men.

The home team's hooker Schalk Brits has magnificent this season, with his workrate and speed around the park effectively making him a fourth loose forward. His contribution in both the tight and loose will be crucial to his side's cause.

If the rain comes down it will be interesting to watch how the two No.10's adapt.

Both Peter Grant and Kurtley Beale like to run the ball. Their kicking games aren't the best, as Beale showed in the wet in Pretoria last weekend.

Grant has had a great season and will need to keep his pack on the front foot if his team want to win.

Stormers skipper Jean de Villiers has been potent on attack this season. His centre partner Gcobani Bobo has his best game of the season last week so they will be looking to assert their authority on their opposing numbers. 'Tahs No.13 Rob Horne is just 18-years-old and is in his first season of Super 14 rugby, so he can expect a onslaught from the two in-form Stormers centres.

Considering Beale and Horne aren't the biggest of players, the likes of Sireli Naqelevuki and Jean de Villiers will be targeting these two on attack. Naqelevuki has come of age this season with his powerful running and deceptive pace. If I were Rassie Erasmus I would bring Naqelevuki into play in the midfield more often than not.

Again if it's wet, Stormers fullback Conrad Jantjies will need to be on top of his game. He has been nothing short of superb this season with his positional play being a trademark. He has a prodigious boot on him and has been solid under the high ball — all traits that he will need to show on Saturday.

Jantjies' opposite number Lote Tuqiri is playing out of position on Saturday and this is wear the Stormers can capitalise. Tuqiri is a great player, there is no doubting that. But he's not a fullback.

His kicking is inconsistent and his high ball skills are not as polished as regular No.15's. I suspect Peter Grant might be launching a few up-and-unders in the direction of the Wallaby wing.

It's going to be a game of inches on Saturday. Both teams realise the importance of the clash with Rassie Erasmus stating that he will take any sort of win. All that matters at Newlands is securing the four points.

It's going to be a low scoring affair and I doubt we will see four tries from either side. But it's sure to keep all 'Tahs and Stormers fans on the edge of their seats!

Prediction: Plenty hinges on this result. The Stormers are on a roll at Newlands and I suspect they will continue on their merry march towards the semifinals. It's going to be a nailbiter though! Stormers by four!

Recent results:
2007: Stormers won 16-10, Sydney
2006: Waratahs won 32-26, Cape Town

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Wylie Human, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky January, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Luke Watson, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Brian Mujati.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Ross Skeate, 19 Pieter Myburgh, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Tony Brown, 22 Dylan des Fountain.

Waratahs: 15 Lote Tuqiri, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell , 19 David Lyons, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Timana Tahu.

Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Brent Murray (New Zealand), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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