MATCH-BY-MATCH GUIDE Friday 29 September

M1 Sharks v Lions: The Sharks are playing with such surety at the moment. Their win over the Bulls at a wet Durban last weekend was encouraging for many reasons. Boom wing S’bu Nkosi will be missing because of a Springbok call-up, but the Sharks are in such good form that it is hard to see them losing.

The Lions have turned the corner over the last month but may be found wanting here.

M2 Griquas v Cheetahs: Griquas have fallen out of form after their big loss at Newlands last weekend to Western Province. They are a much better side in Kimberley though. The Cheetahs are hanging on for dear life in their quest to make the semifinals and snuck a narrow win over the Pumas last weekend with their second-string side. Play wide.

M3 South Africa v Australia: Bloemfontein hosts probably the most important rugby match for South Africa in 2017. Australia smell blood and South Africa have a point to prove after conceding 57 unanswered points to New Zealand. It is so hard to make a prediction. South Africa need their pack to fire because Australia will probably win if they manage to put our forwards under pressure. These teams drew 23-23 in Perth three weeks back and there will not be much between them again, but South Africa should win.

M4 Argentina v New Zealand: New Zealand send a different team to South America for this match but should still be bankers. They will probably not be as good as they were in Albany two weeks ago, but they will not have to be to win.

M5 Bulls v Western Province: Even though the Bulls have made big strides under John Mitchell, they will battle to beat Western Province who were clinical when beating Griquas last weekend.