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VOLTBET: Vodacom Super Rugby Eliminators Preview
19 July 2013

The Vodacom Bulls get a week off ahead of their home semifinal but they will be watching the two eliminators with interest as their opponents are as yet undecided.

Crusaders v Reds

The Crusaders would have been a bit disappointed not to have bagged the 4 try bonus point in their final match against the Hurricanes in Christchurch but it was their 4th successive victory and maintained a 100% home record. A number of the key players including Dagg and Carter have stepped up in recent weeks and the return of Read from injury has been massive.

The Reds just scraped by the Waratahs in Sydney in their final match but they have been a mixed bag on the road winning 3, losing 4 and drawing once.

Head to Head and Playoff Stats

The Reds have won 3 of the last 4 matches at all grounds, but the Crusaders beat them 15-11 in Christchurch earlier this season and they have won their last 6 home matches against the Reds. The Crusaders playoff pedigree is unparalleled and they have won all 14 eliminators, semi’s or finals that they have hosted.

The Reds have had less playoff experience and lost to the Sharks in Brisbane in last year’s eliminator but they did win the tournament in 2011.

Verdict

The Crusaders start this game as 8 point favourites and the bookies look to have got this right. The Reds will fight hard but the Crusaders are on the up and I think they will win this by more than a score.

Brumbies v Cheetahs

The Brumbies suffered a shock 15-21 reverse against the Force last week and with the Bulls failing to collect a bonus point later in the round it potentially cost them a straight march to the semifinals (I say potentially because the Bulls may have entered the game against the Stormers with a different attitude had the home semi not been secured). The Brumbies have won 6 out of 8 home matches with a loss to the Crusaders and a shock draw to the Kings.

The Cheetahs have had a week off after securing their playoff spot when they beat the Blues in Bloemfontein. They have done well on the road winning 5 from 8 matches including victories over Australian sides, the Force and the Waratahs, on tour.

Head to Head and Playoff Stats

The sides last met in 2012 with the Brumbies winning a tight one 24-23 in Canberra. They have won all 4 home matches against the Cheetahs and the games have tended to be high scoring and average 62 points each.

This will be the Brumbies 1st knock out match since 2004, but they have some good pedigree with 5 semifinal wins in 6 attempts and all 4 home semifinals have been won by 13 points or more.

The Cheetahs will play their 1st playoff match.

Verdict

The Cheetahs may have benefitted from the rest as they have not been at their best of late. They will no doubt show plenty of intent but I think the Brumbies will be too strong and will win by more than the 7 point start that the bookmakers are giving the visitors.

Predictions

Crusaders by more than 8

Brumbies by more than 7

Copy supplied by VOLTBET
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Comments
54
Jammer vir die Cheetahs, bly vir die Bulle! Brumbies nie wedstryd gewen nie, Cheetahs het hom verloor. In elk geval, soos Jimmy noem @50, alles volgens plan sover.

Maar dis nog steeds nie formaliteit nie: daar is nog harde werk voor hierdie week vir die Bulle, maar ek glo hulle kan dit doen as hulle net kan deurbreek in die breakdowns en hard werk aan hulle skrum. Die lynstane gaan ook moet werk kry sodat dit kan opmaak vir enige tekort aan skrum-oorhand. Wat dink julle, gaan ons weer 'n 5+2 bank sien? Visser asb in beginspan saam met Jan en JJ, dan kan dinge interessant word. Maar weereens sal ons voorspelers moet groot gaan op ons gaan huis toe (wel, bly by die huis...).
Posted by GeenBloutjieNetBlou on 21 July 2013 12:53
53
#52 Ek stem saam ok nou dik vir sy gesig.
Posted by SUIDKAAPBUL on 21 July 2013 11:51
52
Ek dog die is n bulls website so ek vestaan nie hoekom ons nou al meer as n week in habana se gevreet moet vas kyk nie???? Kan julle asb die video knipsel verander of verwyder.
Posted by Greatest Team Ever on 21 July 2013 11:39
51
Jip! Nou is dit djyk se prampies teen die MAGTIGE BLOU BUL op LOFTUS!

GEE HORINGS BULLE!
Posted by Ligblou Baron on 21 July 2013 10:57
50
Alles verloop volgens plan.
Posted by Jimmy on 21 July 2013 10:46
49
Sjoe so amper krap die Cheetahs die kaarte deur mekaar. Glad nie n goeie game nie! Nou is dit Bulls teen Brumbies!
Go Bulls!
Posted by Kaap'se bul on 21 July 2013 09:52
48
sjoe Bulle...jul het maar baie werk om die Saders aan te vat in die semis! Sleutel gaan wees hier, sterk scrums, kompiteer by afbreek punte en hou besit! Sterkte met die voorbereiding!
Posted by DIE BLOU BAAS on 20 July 2013 20:50
47
sjoe Bulle...jul het maar baie werk om die Saders aan te vat in die semis! Sleutel gaan wees hier, sterk scrums, kompiteer by afbreek punte en hou besit! Sterkte met die voorbereiding!
Posted by DIE BLOU BAAS on 20 July 2013 20:48
46
@43 so jy reken dat ons voorspelers nie weer terug geskrum gaan word nie of dat ons nie weer van die bal afgedryf gaan word nie - by die afbreekpunte nie - en sodoende omgekeerde besit gaan afstaan nie? En dat ons nie weer balle op ons eie ingooie gaan verloor nie? Weet jy ek hoop opreg dat jy reg en ek verkeerd is! Ek het my bedenkinge.
Posted by Platbergbul on 20 July 2013 17:28
45
So far so good.
Posted by Jimmy on 20 July 2013 14:50
44
Sien daar is wi-fi daar by Light Blue se old age home. Sal nog kom kuier, belowe.
Posted by mighty_sharkie on 20 July 2013 11:51
43
So terloops, #40..... is jy dalk familie van pilberd en crytronic?
Posted by Ligblou Baron on 20 July 2013 11:05
42
wees !!!
Posted by Bl@de Runner on 20 July 2013 10:05
41
Ja, MAAR waar is die BULLE op die log? Al speel hulle "lamsakkig" soos jy se. As hulle "lamsakkig" was sou die BULLE LAASTE op die log was !!!!
Posted by Bl@de Runner on 20 July 2013 10:05
40
Ek dink al hierdie drome oor n finaal op loftus is voortydig. As ons voorspelers weer so lamsakkig gaan speel is dit neusie verby.
Posted by Platbergbul on 19 July 2013 20:26
39
Goenaand almal,we'll hierdie stormer surporter hoop di bulle wen di beker in plaas van di crusaders en hulle kaapse kroessaders surporters vir bragging rights,,n verslaggewer op twitter noem dat van zyl na di bulle kom dis blykbaar net nog n formaliteit na sy mening
Posted by ayms on 19 July 2013 19:43
38
@37: The media report suggest that he will make his announcement once Super Rugby is finished. I suppose if they lose, then it i finished for them.
Posted by GeenBloutjieNetBlou on 19 July 2013 16:22
37
If the Cheetahs loose this Sunday, would we know if van Zyl is joining us or not?? That will be first prize!!!
Posted by blouest on 19 July 2013 16:05
36
Ek wil gou iets in perspektief plaas. Ons almal neul nou oor Juandre maar nie Arno of Piere is meer daar nie. Dit los ons nie net sonder 1 sleutelspeler nie maar sonder 3 van hulle. Dit los ons met nuwe kombos en n knel in ritme. Die bye is dalk net wat die doktor georder het. Dis een ding om elke 3 - 4 weke n springer te vervang en n ander om sommer 3 dadelik te vervang.
Aanvaar ons senario en hou moed dat die jonges die wa deur die drif kan trek.
Posted by blouest on 19 July 2013 15:01
35
As dit 'n gewone liga game was sou ek gereken het die reds kan dit dalk met 'n upset kom maar in die play-off situasie dink ek nie hulle kan dit doen nie. In elk geval is dit omtrent niet die saders wat die chiefs kan pak gee in nz so dis 'n BULLS saders finaal op Loftus.

Ai waar is Arno en Juandre as mens hulle die nodigste het......Arno ja beserings kan mens nou nie help maar ai Juandre.

Ek moet ek in dieselfde asem noem dat voor die Curriebeker finaal in 2002 wou ek 'n hoerberoerte kry toe HM vir die jong DH op 10 kies. Wel hy het daai dag geskiedenis gemaak. So dalk is hier kans vir twee of drie supersterre van rugby om na vore te tree vir die BULLE.........
Posted by bloubefoeterd on 19 July 2013 14:53
34
Maar hulle kon nog in 17 jaar nie daar wen nie. En dan speel die saders nou beter as vroeer die jaar en die reds kon eintlik nie hond haar af maak teen die tahs nie alhoewel hulle gewen het. Ook met cooper se reputasie in NZ kan dit ook dalk n faktor wees
Posted by blouest on 19 July 2013 14:38
33
blouest, Reds het 'n baie goeie track record teen die Saders van dat Ewen Mckenzie hulle af rig!
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 14:34
32
Bomskok daar is nie n kans dat die reds die saders sal/kan wen nie. So ons gil maar almal vir die cheetahs in elgeval! Dit is net stompies wat nie vir n SA span sal skree nie.
Posted by blouest on 19 July 2013 14:29
31
Ja, of miskien 'n Boffie.......
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 14:27
30
FRANNABUL, jy sal maar moet vra vir 'n Irish Coffee.
Posted by Jimmy on 19 July 2013 14:12
29
so beste sal wees as die cheetahs wen, en die REDS wen
Dan moet die cheetahs net die chiefs wen die volgende naweek en die bulls die REDS dan is dit 'n SA final op loftus
ek kan dit net nie oor my hart kry om more 'n Aussie span te ondersteun teen die cheetahs nie
Posted by Bomskok on 19 July 2013 14:12
28
Ek dink of nee ek weet die BBRU doen alles wat hulle kan om te verseker ons bly nie net kompeterend nie maar Champs soos ons as ondersteuners al so gewoond is aan ons is eintlik al bederf!! Alles sal vir die beste uitwerk. Kom ons vertrou in die unie se besluite soos wat ons vertou dat ons wenners is met trofees om dit te staaf.

Sekere besluite is nie altyd die beste vir nou nie maar die regte een vir more. Nog net 2 games om die Beker te bere dan kan ons begin werk aan die derde vir die seisoen.

Go BULLS!!!!!!!
Posted by blouest on 19 July 2013 14:09
27
Kom ek se jou so. Wat ek ook al sou vra in perke sou ek gekry het. Dit is sommer n moerse nice oukie.
Posted by blouest on 19 July 2013 14:02
26
Lyk my die sardiene het meer sukses om spelers te behou as ons. En ook nie sommer enige spelers nie. Bismarck JdP en PSDT nogal. Ek wens ons kon weet wie na ons toe kom, maar dis seker nog 'n te groot geheim. Die spelers van ander unies het seker ook kennis geneem van JV se halvering van salaris en is bangerig vir dieselfde lot.

Ek hoop regtig nie ons word gebyt deur daardie ene nie....
Posted by bloubefoeterd on 19 July 2013 14:02
25
Ek sal my tee sit teen tee. Drink nie warm drankies nie....
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 13:57
24
blouest, kry mens koekies ook? :)
Posted by Jimmy on 19 July 2013 13:55
23
Dankie BB23 vir die teetjie drink van vannoggend. Dit laat my Blou Bul hart sommer lekker klop van trots wees om n bul te wees.
Weereens DANKIE
Posted by blouest on 19 July 2013 13:49
22
The Sharks CEO John Smit has told Eyewitness News Sport that it's now up to SA Rugby (Saru) to determine whether Bismarck du Plessis will stay in South Africa or head overseas.

The Springbok hooker is currently in contract negotiations with the Sharks and has received a number of lucrative offers from France primarily.
Saru normally issues one year contracts but are considering offering longer term deals to a number of core players.

Smit said, “We have got an agreement in place but he wants to wait and see what SA Rugby has planned for him for his future before he commits to anything.”

The former Springbok captain said he doesn’t believe there will any hurdles in SA Rugby committing to a player like Bismarck.

He added, "I’ll be lying if I say he has signed, but we have come to an agreement, an agreement we are both happy with."

Smit also confirmed that Jannie du Plessis has committed his future to the Sharks, saying they've managed to "tie him down."
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 13:44
21
The Sharks have announced that Pieter-Steph du Toit has reaffirmed his commitment to the union by re-signing for a further two years.

John Smit, The Sharks CEO stated, "Pieter-Steph has shown great promise and he has had a positive impact on the team, since joining the senior set-up. We are thrilled that he has reaffirmed his commitment to the Sharks."

The Sharks Commercial Manager, Rudolf Straeuli added, "We are delighted to have secured the signature of a player of the calibre of Pieter-Steph. We not only identified him, but he has also been developed through the Sharks Academy. He has a bright future ahead of him."

Pieter-Steph said, "As a 20-year-old rugby player I am living my dream and I am extremely privileged to be identified by the Sharks as a player who can play a role in the province going forward. I will continue to learn from the many experienced players in our team and I hope that I can make the contribution required and expected of me. I will work as hard as I can and always do my best for the Sharks."
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 13:40
20
The Bulls are hoping to secure the signature of young Sharks lock Pieter-Steph du Toit, assistant coach Victor Matfield told EWN Sport on Thursday.

The 20-year-old is one of the hottest prospects in the country with Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer having already called him up to the national training camp and publicly stating his admiration for him.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Matfield confirmed the Bulls are hopeful of securing his signature.

“I think every union in this country is after Pieter-Steph du Toit.

“He’s a great player, he’s been playing mostly at number four and at blindside flank. He wants to develop into a number five lock. I think he can do it, but it probably depends on where he’s going to play and who’s going to help him.”

With the current lack of quality at number five lock in the country at the moment, Matfield says he would relish the opportunity.

“It would be nice to have him at the Bulls.”

So, can the Matfield-factor lure him to Loftus then?

“Maybe, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 13:39
19
Rugby365 se ook PSDT bly in Durban
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 13:32
18
Nitronic, enige ander nuus uit Durban wat interessant sal wees?
Posted by GeenBloutjieNetBlou on 19 July 2013 12:50
17
Sien die kaartjies verkoop goed. www.ticketpros.co.za
Posted by Bulletjie 1 on 19 July 2013 12:50
16
@13 waar kry jy jou nuus?
Posted by sakkie6yster on 19 July 2013 12:50
15
@12 Netblou, thanx! Het klaar vir my twee kaartjies gaan koop op ticket pros :)
Posted by sakkie6yster on 19 July 2013 12:48
14
@13: John Smit is sekerlik besig om die dollars uit te ruk om sy top spelers te hou daar...
Posted by GeenBloutjieNetBlou on 19 July 2013 12:42
13
Nuus uit Durban is dat Pieter Steph weer vir die Sharks geteken het.
Posted by Nitronic on 19 July 2013 12:32
12
@9 Sakkie gaan kyk op die web waar jy kaartijies kan koop. Iewers in 'n vorige blog gesien mens kan op web koop.
Posted by NETBLOU on 19 July 2013 12:05
11
Ok! My kaartjies vir die semi-finaal is gekoop!!! Kan nie wag nie!
Posted by sakkie6yster on 19 July 2013 12:04
10
HOUTOOG ek dink jy is reg met jou opsomming met Juandre, behalwe dat kontrakterings gewoonlik tot op 'n spesifike datum is. Die enigste manier wat sy voortydige vertrek kon verhoed gewees het is omdat die kontrak nie gelees het " tot aan die einde van die super reeks nie" maar wel tot 30 Junie 2013. As ek reg onthou is daar al in Desember geskryf hieroor en Juandre het vir Mnr Van Graan en kie oorgenoeg tyd gegee om sy dienste te behou want sy kontrak is eers in April met racing metro finaliseer volgens die media. Juandre is ook waarskynlik nie genoeg aangebied om vir nog twee maande te bly nie. Hy sou immers nie vir minder werk vir twee maande as wat hy sou verdien het in Frankryk nie. So al wat hulle moes doen is om hom sy "Franse salaris" te betaal vir twee maande, wat hulle natuurlik nie gedoen het nie. Juandre is 'n baie belangrike speler gewees vir die Bulle en dit is nie waardeer nie. So ek stem glad nie saam met mnr Van Graan se verduideliking nie. Dit is voor die hand liggend dat Racing nie so 'n belangrike speler vir hulle uit te leen vir die Super semi en finaal nie. Ek weet ook nie of dit wetlik kan geskied nie want hy is nou 'n Racing speler.
Posted by Blou Bul Kaapstad on 19 July 2013 11:25
9
Is daar nog kaartjies beskikbaar vir die semi?
Posted by sakkie6yster on 19 July 2013 10:55
8
@2

Dit is snaaks hoe ons as ondersteuners(Ek ingesluit)vooruit dink aan die volgende wedstryd en volgende wedstryd en wat kan gebeur.

En ek dink dit is waar n ou soos Frans Ludeke briljant is.Om net te fokus Saterdag vir Saterdag.

Die stof het nou gaan le na verlede week en ek het bietjie gaan dink oor ons seisoen sover.

Ons is voor die seisoen afgeskryf deur elke koerant rugby website en natuurlik die"ander ondersteuners"

-Na die groep fase le ons tweede op die log en kon selfs eerste gewees het.

-Bloubul bestuur kry n lekker geld inspuiting.Hulle sou nie in hulle wildste drome nie gedink ons gaan n tuis semi speel nie.

-Frans het die regte balans gevind om die beste uit spelers soos Arno,JJ,Jan te kry.

So ek glo "ons" span VERDIEN dat ons as getroue Bul ondersteuners nou vierkantig agter ons manne staan en Suid Afrika blou verf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO BULLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Lekkerblou on 19 July 2013 10:24
7
Ons moet vir Brumbies skree, dan speel ons hulle en in alle waarskynlikheid Saders in final!
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 10:23
6
@4: Obviously the final scenario will only work if we then do beat the Brumbies at Loftus next week!
Posted by GeenBloutjieNetBlou on 19 July 2013 10:22
5
BullsRbest, we are supposed to play the highest ranked team.

If Brumbies (rank3) win we play them.
If Cheetahs (rank 6) win they play Chiefs. Then we play either Reds (Rank5) or Saders (Rank 4)
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 10:21
4
@3: The Bulls play the highest qualifier (position on the normal season log) of the two winners of this weekend. If the predictions are correct here, then the Brumbies are the highest on the log, i.e. #3 and thus will play the Bulls next weekend. However if the Cheetahs wins, then the #4 of the Crusaders makes them the team to face off against the Bulls next week. So, even if it is unpatriotic, a Cheetahs fail will suit the Bulls better, especially as mentioned below, if the Crusaders then wins the Chiefs at home, then the final is at Loftus as we are then higher up the log than the Crusaders.
Posted by GeenBloutjieNetBlou on 19 July 2013 10:20
3
Which team are we supposed to be playing the winners of the Crusaders match or the Brumbies match - does anyone know ? GO BULLS
Posted by BullsRbest on 19 July 2013 10:08
2
Ek stem saam met die voorspellings hierbo. Dit pas ons eintlik want dan is die kanse goed vir 'n Loftus finaal. Ons moet die Brommers dan in semi op loftus wen en met Saders wat Reds wen, moet hulle semi teen Chiefs wen. En whalla finaal op Loftus.
Posted by NETBLOU on 19 July 2013 09:43
1
Go Bulls
Posted by FRANNABUL on 19 July 2013 09:26
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