Stormers still SA’s best bet
9 Jul 2012
JON CARDINELLI says the Stormers remain on course for a home semi-final, a fact that makes them the best-placed South African franchise.
As I wrote two weeks ago, three South African franchises should qualify for the 2012 play-offs. The Stormers have already booked their place in the next phase by securing the SA conference title, while the Bulls and Sharks should advance on the back of big home victories in the final round of the league.
I expect the Bulls to collect five log points from their coming fixture against the Lions, but even that may not be enough to secure home advantage in the qualifying play-off. They missed an opportunity in Durban last week in that another four points would have furthered their cause for a top-four finish. As it stands, they’re unlikely to surpass the Crusaders, and so a journey to Christchurch is now looking highly likely.
The Crusaders will host the Western Force in their final league match, and based on current form the Cantabrians must be favourites to win comfortably. Even if they accumulate four log points instead of five and the Bulls bank a full house at Loftus, the Crusaders will still finish ahead of Bulls on the log. The Bulls will be hoping the Force can do them a favour and score an upset like the Rebels did earlier in the season, but aberrations like that are surely a once in a season occurence.
Like the Stormers and Sharks, the Bulls will know what they need to do to advance before they even take the field on Saturday. The matches involving the three South African contenders are the final three of the league. No doubt the coaches of these teams will be watching the overseas fixtures on Friday and Saturday morning with keen interest.
The Stormers will be supporting the Hurricanes when they host the Chiefs. A win for the Hurricanes will mean that the Stormers merely need to beat the Rebels to secure top spot on the log. The upshot of this outcome is that the Stormers will host a semi-final and a possible final.
If the Hurricanes can’t win that match, the Stormers will at least hope that their defence limits the Chiefs to three tries or less. A Chiefs win without the bonus point will mean that the Stormers still have a chance of finishing top of the log, providing of course they score four or more tries in a win against the Rebels at Newlands.
The Bulls and Sharks, however, will be hoping that the Chiefs beat the Hurricanes and end the latter team’s play-off ambitions. They will also hope that the Waratahs beat the Reds or at least stop Ewen McKenzie’s men from claiming five log points from that encounter.
There is a chance that the Hurricanes and Reds will score bonus-point victories in their respective matches, and that would take both teams up to 58 log points. However if that were to happen, the Bulls and Sharks would still be in a good position, given that they both boast superior points differentials to that of the Hurricanes and Reds. They would, of course, still need to win their matches against the Lions and Cheetahs respectively.
It seems more likely that the Chiefs will win in Wellington, although it could be closer than most expect. What this result could do is give the Stormers a chance of claiming top spot. It is something they need to shoot for, and there isn’t a tremendous amount of risk involved.
The Brumbies are likely to beat the Blues in Canberra, and five log points would see them moving one point ahead of the Stormers. That result would see the Stormers needing at least one log point from the Rebels fixture to finish second, as they have won more matches than the Brumbies.
If the Brumbies don’t get the bonus point, then the Stormers will be free to pursue a five-point haul knowing there will be no consequences should they lose. There will however, be everything to gain in the shape of a potential home final.
Follow JC on Twitter
Follow SA Rugby magazine on Twitter
185 Comments
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 » Show All
9 Jul 2012, 05:14 am
A little reminder…check this!
• 30.skopskiet:
17 Nov 2009, 19:53 pm
well you wanna know my opinion Sa rugby especially Stormers is in big kak. I watch these people on national tv and I just can’t help thinking to myself how weak they are. Sorry to say it but saffa rugby brains are non existent seriously.
Rassie, Alistair, you name them, all pretty clueless and don’t quite know wtf is actually cutting.
Anyone thinking Stormers on the up, think again 2009 was probably as high as we gonna get.
Sa rugby itself also going to start spiralling downward. Can see it in the lais a fair attitude all the way sound.
Nope sorry. I don’t see anything anywhere to fill me with any kind of enthusiasm. Definitely not at Stormers and also elsewhere round the country.
Habana and Fourie will not imo elevate this franchise suddenly into a level of high competense. Doubt it very much with coaches like we have running the show.
9 Jul 2012, 05:16 am
Some more gems…
• 30.skopskiet:
17 Nov 2009, 19:53 pm
well you wanna know my opinion Sa rugby especially Stormers is in big kak. I watch these people on national tv and I just can’t help thinking to myself how weak they are. Sorry to say it but saffa rugby brains are non existent seriously.
Rassie, Alistair, you name them, all pretty clueless and don’t quite know wtf is actually cutting.
Anyone thinking Stormers on the up, think again 2009 was probably as high as we gonna get.
Sa rugby itself also going to start spiralling downward. Can see it in the lais a fair attitude all the way sound.
Nope sorry. I don’t see anything anywhere to fill me with any kind of enthusiasm. Definitely not at Stormers and also elsewhere round the country.
Habana and Fourie will not imo elevate this franchise suddenly into a level of high competense. Doubt it very much with coaches like we have running the show.
9 Jul 2012, 05:20 am
That worked so well the first time I had to post it again…
• 22.skopskiet:
29 Aug 2009, 18:45 pm
Lions always been my second team seeing I was raised and schooled in Springs and Parktown Boys High.
9 Jul 2012, 05:23 am
Last one for now…
4. skopskiet says:
February 6th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Pdv’s acumen, instincts, transparency, openness, and inclusive policies are light years ahead of White’s…
A Pdv or Muir or Elloff even a Meyer would have all cake walked that no contest single handedly without the additional mentorship bestowed on White.
9 Jul 2012, 05:57 am
I agree with you Jon: “JON CARDINELLI says the Stormers remain on course for a home semi-final, a fact that makes them the best-placed South African franchise.”
Unfortunately all it means is that the Stormers are the best placed South African franchise on the log, not necessarily the best placed to win the Super 15.
9 Jul 2012, 06:06 am
5 @ fantasyrugbyscout
From a SA perspective they are. If you think the Sharks are then wait till they lose to the Brumbies (if they manage to qualify). Bulls deserve fokkol as they’re just downright poor.
9 Jul 2012, 06:14 am
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-6:
I agree Pee wee, the fact that they will have a home semi and one less playoff game leans the odds firmly in their favour. I just have this dreaded feeling that the nature of the Stormers wins throughout the season might not be enough come the semi-finals. We may just see a repeat of last year, losing to the Crusaders in a home semi, and if not, they haven’t even faced the Chiefs this year. I’m afraid against sides like that, home or not, I can’t put my money on the Stormers.
9 Jul 2012, 06:35 am
hehehe…
at the beginning of the season we were told the stormers would not win a game… then when they scraped a win we were told one game doesn’t law a good team… NEXT week the stormers will lose and the slide will start… the stormers will be at the bottom of the south african log… come back and talk at the end of the season…
well we’re not there yet… one game to go…
but those same people are telling us it doesn’t count and isn’t important to have finished the season in a better log position than any other south african team…
if the stormers are so bad… why aren’t any of the lions, cheetahs, sharks and bulls above the stormers on the log…?
choke on those numbers haters…
gonna be interesting to listen to all the moans and groans and coulda shoulda wouldas…
at least we know who all the other saffa supporters will be supporting when the stormers play… whoever plays against the stormers… and most of you hypocrites slag-off south african who support nz teams…?
ironic…?
9 Jul 2012, 06:47 am
@ufo(ufo)-8:
lol
Oh boy are you having fun.
And really it could just get better in a 3-4 weeks time.
But i have a funny feeling if the Stormers win alot of these guys will use this in a discussion against the Kiwis like its their own team.
9 Jul 2012, 06:54 am
A shame the Hurricanes are unlikely to make the semi finals, as there attack has been outstanding. The Sharks deserve to be there but look likely to face an uphill battle against a fired up Brumbies and the travel factor. The Bulls are goners, even if they face the Crusaders at home they will get done. Looks like they will travel to Christchurch and get buried there. Chiefs and Stormers will earn a deserved week off.
9 Jul 2012, 07:20 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-9:
hehehe…
just a little…
but we’re not there yet… just read thought some of the comments on other threads… a lot of bruised egos out there… hahaha
at least you know any nz and aus sides that play the us will know that you will be supported by the majority of south africans… especially those who live in pretoria and durban…
it’s like the press in sa… they find fault with cape town all the time… even though it is the best run, least corrupt city in SA… being at the top means being held to a higher standard…!!
9 Jul 2012, 07:21 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-9:
you guys can assist by beating the chiefs on friday…!!
9 Jul 2012, 07:25 am
ufo
this is gonna end in tears for you guys
your feather boa is going to be full of snot and tears
BOOM!
9 Jul 2012, 07:40 am
Calm down Fern. You always get way too hysterical about these things.
9 Jul 2012, 07:43 am
@14
I am calm.
Why are you so emotional?
boyfriend dumped you?
9 Jul 2012, 07:48 am
Fern – we can’t help it we end above you guys all the time – that’s the nature of these comps unfortunately. The inferior teams tend to end up below superior teams.
9 Jul 2012, 07:48 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-13: Hey chop, do you own one of those? I swear you don’t have a clue what to type and then you look to the manequin dressed in your S&M costume with the ‘feather boa’ draped over the shoulders and then you start typing the same self loathing dribble you always do. Dude, it’s ok, we know you bat for the other team, we’re not judging you.
And what is ‘BOOM’, you have gas or something?
The best team will win the Super Rugby competition. But the only tears will be tears of joy!
9 Jul 2012, 07:49 am
pee wee
i wasnt even talking to you
what is your reason for being so emotional?
did your boyfriend fake a o rgasm and spit on your back?
9 Jul 2012, 07:49 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-10: Yip Stormers vs Brumbies and Chiefs vs Crusaders
Stormers vs Chiefs Final
The Stormers will win the comp by playing the 2 teams they havent played during the league phase.
Brilliant!!
Its like fate or whatever.
9 Jul 2012, 07:50 am
The trio of stupidity is complete now with backdoorboy entering the fray.
9 Jul 2012, 07:53 am
The Stormers to win it, if they finish first, I cannot see them winning in Hamilton!
9 Jul 2012, 07:58 am
Stormers have it all to play for. Alistair should let the guys relax this week and take some pressure off them. Tell them to enjoy the game against the rebels. We might see a 50 pointer from the Stormers.
9 Jul 2012, 08:00 am
these stormers supporters thinks this comp is a one model catwalk.
how precious
9 Jul 2012, 08:00 am
@altonahoon(altonahoon)-21: Really? The Chiefs dont look so hot at home and they have lost a few at home. They are also losing form at the worst possible time?
9 Jul 2012, 08:01 am
cheers ladies
work calls
9 Jul 2012, 08:02 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-19:
that would be a great end to the season…!
well… for us anyway…!
still a very tough steep mountain to climb though…
9 Jul 2012, 08:02 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-20:
Your team was excellent against the Bulls on Friday night.
9 Jul 2012, 08:05 am
@ufo(ufo)-26: Yes boys need to do the business this week against the Rebels. As Alistair says….one game at a time.
9 Jul 2012, 08:06 am
The only way the Stormers even stand a chance is if they finish first overall.
A home semi-final and then potential home final is crucial.
But a lot still needs to happen before even that is assured.
For now as a Stormers supporter I’m satisfied with the fact that we’ve won the South African conference twice in a row.
9 Jul 2012, 08:09 am
Saders to pull it through …. No team has more experience of play off rugby than the Saders – feeling positive
9 Jul 2012, 08:09 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-28:
yip… got us this far… feet on the ground… one step at a time…
9 Jul 2012, 08:15 am
anyway… enough crowing for now…
have got my heyneke-air-punch in…
time to focus on the rebels… don’t wanna trip up in the final week…
good day to all…!!
thoughts with capetonians in flooded areas…
9 Jul 2012, 08:29 am
20 @ Fern
Why don’t you go suck on HG’s gonads. He’s in need of some TLC biets!
9 Jul 2012, 08:40 am
@33
you are in need of a good fisting,not the type your boufrind gives you
biets
9 Jul 2012, 08:40 am
boufrind-boyfriend
9 Jul 2012, 08:42 am
I don’t have much to say, nor much inclination to say it at the moment.
The Bulls are poor.
They need a massive cleanout amongst the forwards.
As for the other SA teams: The Sharks are currently the top SA team by far.
As their performances against the Bulls and Stormers have shown.
A pity that their poor form earlier in the season has gifted the Stormers the conference title.
The Sharks problem is consistency. But when they are in form, they are a very good side. Definitely better than the Stormers, who failed to impress yet again, against the Cheetahs.
9 Jul 2012, 08:43 am
Would just like to say how pleasant it is to see the Hurricanes still being competitive at this time of the year. When the Stormers played them waaaay back in the beginning, we were sold news of “the weakest team in NZ” and told that the performance against them didn’t bode well for the season for the Stormers. In fact, all it did was highlight the nature of the ‘Canes, that they’ve shown all season – sloppy defensively at times, but utterly lethal on the counter and able to feast on scraps.
Obviously, I’ll be hoping the Stormers can get the top spot on the log, so it’d be nice to see the Hurricanes give the Chiefs as big a scare as they did back at Newlands.
9 Jul 2012, 08:44 am
JC has it all wrong, if the Reds pick up 5 points and the guppies or bullies only pick up 4 points then one of these are our. Yes JC warn Plum and bonehead.
9 Jul 2012, 08:48 am
conference title
bwhahaha
some concept made up by the stormers
9 Jul 2012, 08:48 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-36:
But the Bulls have so many Springboks in their forward pack?
Something doesn’t make sense?
9 Jul 2012, 08:49 am
tacticus
how k ak is spies playing
9 Jul 2012, 08:52 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-40:
They are relplacement Springboks for the most part, and came up agains the first choice Boks on Friday.
As I said last week, not a single player in the current Bulls pack would make the Bulls pack of 2007. That’s how far they’ve regressed.
And it was brutally demonstrated on Friday.
Anyway, I’m not really inclined to discuss it too much. My interest in rugby has dropped about ten fold in the last few days.
9 Jul 2012, 08:53 am
Yes RL was just going to say that… If they end on the same points the points difference doesnt count… Only wins and Reds will have one more…
9 Jul 2012, 08:55 am
Got a feeling Sharks will beat the Brumbies and play the Chiefs in the semi… Stormers supporters will have to support the Sharks to get a home final then…
9 Jul 2012, 08:58 am
these stormer supporters are premature again
they just dont learn do they
the bubble is going to pop and butt plugs will be s hat out all over the cape.
9 Jul 2012, 08:59 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-36: Ag shame Mr Whoopass all beck before the game now “doesnt feel like talking about it”. Plus still has a cliched pop at the Stormers. Saying the Stormers were gifted the conference is a laugh.
9 Jul 2012, 09:02 am
@heboric(heboric)-46:
Knee jerk reaction from Mr. Whoeveryouare.
I was actually very concerned about this game, as my comments from last week would attest to, if you actually knew what the hell you are talking about. Which you don’t.
9 Jul 2012, 09:06 am
The Bulls are starting to miss they solid core of players they lost.
9 Jul 2012, 09:06 am
Sharks are only making up the numbers.They will need to be at their best against the Cheeters for the five points.It might still end in tears for sharkievarkie supporters.
9 Jul 2012, 09:07 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-36:
You’re right, but not only are the sharks a better team than the stormers, so are the bulls. on paper anyway. both have massively better squads, yet neither have been consistent enough. stormers are a bit like the brumbies and chiefs – play well as a team because they are very well coached yet without the talented squads boasted by the crusaders, bulls and sharks.
Any updates on the injury front? Will stormers have Duane, Schalk or Koster back?
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.