In this new feature, Superbru goes head to head with SA Rugby magazine to see who will come out on top on Superbru during the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season.
Round 4 ended in a 2-2 draw as SA Rugby mag is still without a win. Some very different picks this weekend, so don’t expect a draw in round five.
Highlanders vs Rebels
This is a fairly straightforward pick to start off with, as the Rebels travel to Dunedin where they have never beaten the Highlanders. You’d expect this to be a fairly comfortable home win, and although in Super Rugby there is always the chance of an upset, it makes no sense to pick the Rebels. Highlanders by 16
A relatively easy one to start the weekend as the Rebels have been woeful this season. Home side to claim a good win. Hihglanders by 12
Waratahs vs Lions
This is a very tricky pick. The Lions have won the last five in a row against the Waratahs, including a 29-0 away win two years ago, but they haven’t been at their best so far this season, with only a narrow home win against the Reds to their name. But the winless Waratahs have been abysmal, and they are the only team still on zero points on the log. A win here would boost their confidence, but I’m leaning towards the Lions having had a bye week to travel and prepare. Lions by 7
Bottom-of-the-table Waratahs host the Lions. Both teams are coming off a bye, so the form book technically goes out the window. A toss of the coin, but I am giving this one to the home side. Waratahs by 5
Hurricanes vs Sunwolves
The Sunwolves were thrashed by the Reds last week in their first away game of the season, and playing the Hurricanes is another step up. I’ll keep an eye on team news, with the Canes likely to rest some key players, but it’s really a case of how many they will win by. Hurricanes by 38
Another thrashing on the cards in this one. Laumape and company will have a field day with the Sunwolves. Hurricanes by 45
Reds vs Sharks
The Sharks complete their tour with a trip to Brisbane to face the Reds, who had lost three games in a row before destroying the Sunwolves last week. That training run will give the Reds some confidence, and I fancy them to nick this, with the Sharks potentially running out of steam at the end of their long away trip. Reds by 4
A tricky one this as the Sharks have been amazing on tour thus far, collecting two out of three wins. The Reds thrashed the Sunwolves last weekend, and that might give them a false sense of security. A win for the Sharks will be huge. They have rested the influential Mapimpi, but captain Lukhanyo Am is back. I think the Sharks might sneak this one. Sharks by 4
Stormers vs Blues
The last-minute penalty by the Blues to beat the Vodacom Bulls last weekend was mightily frustrating, but surely they can’t take down the unbeaten Stormers at Newlands? The home team has won this fixture on the last six occasions, and I think it will be seven in a row. Stormers by 13
The Stormers are the only unbeaten side in this year’s competition. And it will stay like that after Saturday’s match against the Blues. The home side’s pack will dominate again, and their defence is seriously good. Stormers by 13 (Ps – I am handing out the Man of the Match award for this game, so keep a lookout, lol)
Bulls vs Jaguares
This is another tough pick to end the round, with the winless Bulls up against the Jaguares, and even though everyone knows the Bulls are tough to beat at Loftus, those three red Ls on their streak are hard to overlook. Nevertheless, if that late penalty by the Blues had not been kicked, they would have won the game and I’d not be hesitating to pick them this weekend, too. I’ll await team news, but for now … Bulls by 4
The Bulls came so close to winning their first match of the season, but a heartbreaking penalty condemned them to their third straight defeat while the Jaguares lost to the Stormers at Newlands. The Jaguares will pick their big guns for this one, while the Bulls have made a couple of changes to their starting XV. The heart says Bulls, but the head says Jaguares. Head wins this one. Jaguares by 4
