MATCH-BY-MATCH GUIDE Friday 6 October

M1 Cheetahs v Bulls: Despite the Bulls’ stop-start season, they should win and keep the pressure on the Cheetahs for a semi-final spot. The Cheetahs have been tied up in the Pro 14 and their second-string side has shown some potential. They do not have enough though to beat the Bulls.

M2 Pumas v Griquas: Both teams have an outside chance of making the last four so this match has lots hinging on it. The Pumas have looked good and home-ground advantage could sway this fixture. Griquas are far better on the unforgiving Kimberley surface.

M3 South Africa v New Zealand: This match will be played at Newlands so there will be plenty of All Black support in the stands in Cape Town. There is probably a chance that New Zealand will take their foot off the pedal, having claimed the Rugby Championship with an assured with over Argentina last weekend. There is no chance South Africa can be 57-0 bad again this time, but they certainly have not improved enough to trouble New Zealand. The Boks will have to play out of their skins and the All Blacks very badly for anything out of the ordinary to happen.

M4 Argentina v Australia: Argentina would have marked this match down when the fixtures for the Rugby Championship were released. Expect them to throw the kitchen sink at the Wallabies, who themselves will be down on morale after the draw in Bloemfontein last weekend. Australia will probably enjoy it if Argentina try and get under their skins, but all in all, Australia will probably sneak the win.

M5 Lions v Western Province: The Lions were soundly beaten in the Durban rain last weekend, while Western Province were involved in a topsy-turvy match in Pretoria on Sunday but kept in the hunt for a home semi-final. If the season’s progress is anything to go by, Western Province should come out on top but the Lions will still be alive.

Suggested R360 perm for the Rugby 5 pool this Friday (pool closes 18:00): M1 = 5; M2 = 1, 2, 3; M3 = 5; M4 = 1, 3, 4; M5 = 1, 3, 4, 5.