Onus on Stormers to maintain form

Jonathan Kaplan

The Stormers and Chiefs put on a spectacle to remember last weekend, with the Cape-based team coming out on top by 34-26. They beat high-class opponents who didn’t play that badly at all, and did it with some style and panache. The Stormers were confrontational and did not take a step back in any of the exchanges that often define the forward battle. Their tackling was ferocious and crucially their conditioning seemed to match that of the Kiwis.

The Chiefs did score the try of the season so far and were unlucky with some other efforts, so they will be disappointed with the loss.

I thought Chiefs captain Aaron Cruden spoke exceptionally well after the game giving the public a point of difference from the tired ramblings of so many other captains who simply don’t apply themselves after the game is done.

It wasn’t just the players who made that game special, the referee was a huge part of it. There are very few world class officials who have the appetite to continually strive for the perfect blend in a match and I’m sure that both teams would rather have that than some of the pedantic officious others out there.

There was a bit of criticism leveled at referee Jaco Peyper and while he was probably a bit inconsistent in respect of sanction, I much prefer a referee who lets the players have a full go and take the resultant criticism on the chin when he doesn’t get everything 100% .

I picked the Hurricanes and the Kings to cover the spread so it was quite frustrating when the supremely dominant Canes took their foot off the pedal in the second half to allow the Waratahs back into the game.

This week there are some clear bankers in Rugby 5.

The Chiefs should prove too classy for the Cheetahs, who look highly likely to exit Super Rugby next year (Betting World 10/11 -14). I think they are almost certainly two scores better than the Cheetahs.

The Stormers will battle to replicate their stunning performance from last week, but I suspect they will still have the edge over the Lions, who are not the worst candidates for a home semi (Stormers 8/13 with Betting World outright seems fair odds). I suspect defence will be a big factor in this local derby as there is much more at stake besides bragging rights.

Nothing has changed for the Bulls. They are hopeless and need to have a rethink on how they play the game. They are more competitive in front of their faithful and could turn things around, but I like the Jaguares at 8/10.

I fancied the Blues to upset the Highlanders last week and they were close. I fancy them again this week against the Hurricanes, in what I think could be a notable scalp for them this season (they are 7/4 outright with Betting World).

Betting code: RCC Match 1: Cheetahs vs Chiefs Match 2: Stormers vs Lions Match 3: Bulls vs Jaguares Match 4: Munster vs Ulster Match 5: Toulouse vs Racing 1 Team A win by 12 or less 2 Team A win by 13 or more 3 Draw 4 Team B win by 12 or less 5 Team B win by 13 or more