Just reward for SA’s whistlemen

Last week we made some ammo on the back of big wins for the Force, the Lions and the Canes. Easy pickings, although the Canes had to dig deep after falling behind early to the Crusaders, but their swarming defence and potent attack got home in the end.

The Lions scoreline is quite flattering as they too had to snuff out the Sharks and it wasn’t easy going.

The Force had a point to prove, which they did in routing the poor Waratahs and in the process making their point to stay in the Super Rugby competition.

Congratulations to the two South African referees, Jaco Peyper and Marius van der Westhuizen, who earned play-off matches this weekend.

Peyper is coming off his high from his British and Irish Lions Test against the All Blacks, and he gets the Stormers and Chiefs, while Marius will be blowing his first play-off game (deservedly) between the Lions and the Sharks at Ellis Park.

Glen Jackson will do the game in Canberra and Angus Gardner the all-Kiwi clash between the Crusaders and the Highlanders in Christchurch.

The Rugby 5 looks tricky this weekend, so perhaps play to catch it rather than get it multiple times.

The Crusaders are obvious favourites against the Highlanders and start with a 5.5 point deficit if you play the spread (Betting World 10/11).

The Sharks don’t quite have the weapons of the Lions and I really don’t expect them to win, but the last time they met in Johannesburg they lost by only five points.

The 15.5 point spread offered by Betting World seems generous to me and I will be taking some of that this weekend.

The Stormers have not looked champions material at any stage, barring their game against the Chiefs earlier in the year when they won by eight points at home.

You’re never going to stop the Chiefs from scoring with their squad, but crucially this season the Stormers have found a way to score tries of their own and it makes for a fascinating fixture. I predict we will see some good tries, an entertaining game and with Jaco Peyper’s experience, a worthy winner.

The Stormers have a play-off win in them but much will depend on how good their attack is and whether they are able to breach the Chiefs defence in order to give themselves a realistic chance in this game (+3.5 start with Betting World).

The Canes will beat the Brumbies at home, away, on Mars or on the moon. I fancy the Canes to go all the way this year and reach the final again, and I think they are good value at 11/4.

In the Currie Cup I fancy the Griquas against the Bulls in Kimberley and the Lions against anyone, this time the Pumas.