The DHL Stormers are the best-placed South African team after three rounds of Super Rugby, writes JON CARDINELLI.
The Chiefs have made a statement with their balanced style of play during the early stages of the tournament. More significantly, they have beaten three New Zealand opponents and boast more log points (14) than any other team after three rounds.
The Chiefs, Crusaders and Stormers are the only teams that remain unbeaten. The latter team scored a bonus-point win over the Kings on Saturday to strengthen their position in the Africa 1 conference and power to the top of the South African group.
The Cape franchise will enjoy a bye in round four. After that, they will play the Sunwolves in Singapore and then the Cheetahs in Cape Town. The Stormers should expect to win both games.
REPORT: Stormers cruise past Kings
The Sharks have taken some big strides over the past two weeks. After accumulating five log points on their two-match tour to Australia – easily the toughest part of their away schedule in the regular season – they banked four more against the Waratahs in Durban. With the latter result, Robert du Preez's side has rocketed to the top of the Africa 2 conference.
The Sharks have built up some momentum and will have an opportunity to claim two more wins in the coming weeks. After hosting the Kings, the Sharks will travel to Bloemfontein to battle the Cheetahs, a side that has blown hot and cold this season.
Johan Ackermann opted against selecting a full-strength side for the game against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday. As was the case in 2016, the decision has cost the Lions an opportunity to collect four valuable log points on the road.
REPORT: Sharks outclass Waratahs
The Lions did the Sharks a favour when they denied the Argentinian side a try-scoring bonus point. While the Sharks and Jaguares both have nine log points after three rounds, the former boasts a superior points difference.
It won't get any easier for the Lions when they return to Johannesburg. Ackermann's charges will front the Reds in their next match, a side that has a point to prove after a gutting loss to the Crusaders.
The Cheetahs were competitive against the Lions in round one and dominant against the Bulls in round two. They battled against the Sunwolves this past Saturday, however, and their failure to bank a bonus point may come back to bite them later in the competition. They may struggle against a much-improved Jaguares outfit in round four.
The Bulls have failed to meet even modest expectations in 2017. They're coming off a bye, and will be under real pressure to score a bonus-point win when they host the Sunwolves in the next round.
The Bulls are yet to win a game in this year's competition, and sit at seventh in the South African group standings.
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo_Images
