SA stats make for poor reading
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Statistics can be a cruel barometer, but the South African Conference is currently tracking as the ‘worst’ of the three – four of the South African Super Rugby teams are in the bottom six.
With thanks to SANZAR we publish some things you need and want to know!
Sharks are not swimming
Top of the table Jake White’s troops may be, but their loss to the Highlanders was a critical blow, there have been murmurs of potential vulnerability ahead of the Sharks overseas tour.
Arriving with a travel schedule befitting a tourist, Jamie Joseph and his squad touched down in South Africa with nearly two weeks of adaptation, and it showed in a display that leaked energy and proved that the Highlanders can overpower anyone up front.
The future seems rough for the Sharks, there is only one more match to be played in Durban, the other six fixtures for Super Rugby’s ‘men in black’ will see the players pack their suitcases.
Bulls road woes
Five games without a win, and six losses so far, resulted in the Bulls finishing the round tenth overall, even if that means the three-time champions are second in the South African conference.
The last time the men in Pretoria won in 2014 was on March 22, while their recent tour result is the first time since 2008 they haven’t recorded a victory.
While still technically within Finals estimations, six losses, all away from home, are proving to be a thorn in the Bulls side.
Their next three matches however are at Loftus, just one loss in 15 games shows how different a beast is when relying on their blue blooded support.
Cheetahs attack clicks … sort of
It has been a strange old season for Naka Drotske and his troops, even if they might not find the funny side, their first win since February, broke a seven-match sequence without a victory song.
Yet their attack has been in fantastic health, their 27 tries is only bettered by the offensive leading Hurricanes, but the sought after improvements – such as defence – haven’t occurred this season.
With 39 tries (the worst in Super Rugby) conceded their chance at final’s qualification is over, but they could win consecutive matches for the first time this season when playing the Bulls in Pretoria.
This is then followed by two straight home games (against the Force and Brumbies) that could see them finish their campaign on a high.
Where to for the Stormers?
The Stormers have fallen victim to the malaise that unfortunately strikes at least one team each season in the ultra-competitive Super Rugby competition.
One franchise always against predictions ends up having a horror of a campaign, and with just two wins the bottom placed men from Cape Town are the 2014 edition of this beast.
Their thrilling one point win over the Hurricanes way back in Round 3 looked to be the catalyst but the trend of a devil of an antipodean tour continues for South African teams.
It is vicious reading, in 12 matches so far no team from South Africa has won overseas.
Lions fairytale over?
The Lions third straight loss (to the Stormers) saw them enter bye week licking their wounds, although their weekend of rest will be rudely ended as the men from Johannesburg become the last South African team to tour.
First up is the Chiefs in Hamilton, and the struggling champions will be wary about hosting a fresh team that won four of their first six games.
To become the first franchise from the South Africa in 2014 to win overseas would be an achievement in itself, especially if they upset the two-time champions.
No South African team has won at Waikato Stadium since April 2010, and only nine times has a touring outfit from the Republic been successful at the Chiefs' home – and never has it been the Lions.
Source: SANZAR media unit
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