Superbru tips: Sharks, Stormers to win

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After a woeful 2/6 in round 14, JUANDRE JOUBERT explains his Superbru picks for round 15 of Vodacom Super Rugby.

Round 14 started with two losses, as I did not expect the Jaguares or Vodacom Bulls to claim away victories. It did not get better on Saturday, as the only win points I gathered happened in Auckland and Brisbane. I took a gamble on the Highlanders, which obviously backfired, and the draw at Newlands also cost me.

Let’s hope for a better performance from me and the referees/TMOs in round 15.

Here are my picks:

Chiefs v Reds

Both teams are coming off a loss, but I think the Chiefs will bounce back and defeat the team from Queensland quite comfortably, as key man Samu Kerevi is being rested.
Chiefs by 11

Brumbies v Bulls

The Bulls caused a bit of upset by winning their first game on tour since 2016 after outplaying the Rebels in Melbourne. The Brumbies are coming off a bye. The Bulls have lost Handré Pollard, who has returned home after an injury, which is a huge blow for the men from Pretoria. I think the Brumbies will deal with the Bulls pack far better than the Rebels did. I expect a tight affair, with the home side clinching a narrow win.
Brumbies by 8

Sunwolves v Rebels

This is supposed to be the easiest pick of the weekend, but as history has shown us, nothing is certain in Super Rugby. I have not picked the Sunwolves to win a match this year, and I won’t be starting now.
Rebels by 18

Crusaders v Blues

Sanzaar admitted that TMO Marius Jonker robbed the Crusaders of a potentially match-winning try in their draw against the Stormers at Newlands. After the match, the Crusaders were also in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The Blues defeated the Chiefs and will be full of confidence, but confidence won’t be enough for a win in Christchurch.
Crusaders by 14

Waratahs v Jaguares

A very tricky one this… The Jaguares are looking as if they might top the South African conference, and a victory here will put them in prime position to do just that. The Waratahs are also in a very tight Australian conference. Both teams have a lot to play for. It might come down to a late penalty to decide this one.
Waratahs by 3

Stormers v Highlanders

The Stormers ground out a draw against the Crusaders, and I really expect them to clinch victory against the Highlanders in this one. The Highlanders were completely outplayed by the Lions, and I cannot see them troubling the Stormers at home.
Stormers by 9

Sharks v Lions

The final match of the round sees the Lions travel to Kings Park to avenge the 37-point humiliation they suffered against the Durban side earlier in the competition. The Sharks had a magnificent tour and will be looking to continue that good form. It will be much closer than the first encounter, but I expect the outcome to be the same.
Sharks by 10

*Joubert is Highbury Media’s digital media manager, who has won the company’s Super Rugby Superbru pool for two years running.

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

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Juandre Joubert