S14 semifinal predictions

We’re into the home straight now – both on terms of the Super 14 competition and our ‘readers versus staff prediction competition’. With so little time (read so few games) left, only a total blow-out will stop Johan Greyling from a famous victory.

We will crown a new champion, as John Granger – even if he gets full marks and Greyling gets nothing in the next two weeks – can’t make up the 15-point deficit … not even with double points.

There eight points on offer this week – two points for each game winner that is correctly predicted and two points for each margin that is within five points. Next week, in the Final, there will be four points on offer on the same basis.

That leaves Rudolf Mehl, Phil Coetzer and Steve Farrell as the only people who can catch Greyling.

For the rest of us it is a bit of a face-saving exercise and some internal battles – Granger may have given up his title, but he will finish ahead of Jan de Koning (he only needs two points to do so) for the third year running.

The real race remains for second place – with Mehl, Coetzer and Farrell separated by just three points.

Semifinal predictions:

Johan Greyling:
C’saders v H’canes – Saders by 10
Waratahs v Sharks – Sharks by 7

Rudolf Mehl:
C’saders v H’canes – Saders by 10
Waratahs v Sharks – Sharks by 9

Phil Coetzer (rugby365):
Crusaders v Hurricanes – Crusaders by 11
Waratahs v Sharks – Sharks by 6

Steve Farrell (rugby365):
Crusaders v Hurricanes – Crusaders by 6
Waratahs v Sharks – Sharks by 4

John Granger:
Crusaders v Hurricanes – Crusaders by 10 points
Waratahs v Sharks – Sharks by 5 points

Rob Peters (iafrica):
Waratahs v Sharks – Sharks by 10
Crusaders v Hurricanes – Hurricanes by 5

Hennie van Staden:
Crusaders v Hurricanes – Crusaders by 10
Waratahs v Sharks – Waratahs by 7

Jan de Koning (rugby365):
Crusaders v Hurricanes – Crusaders by 20
Waratahs v Sharks – Sharks by 15