The match of the week in Round 13 of the 2008 Super 14 in South African terms is undoubtedly the clash between the Stormers and the Waratahs at Newlands in Cape Town at 19h10 on Saturday.
Both teams are well placed to secure semi-final places, the hosts currently lying fourth in the standings and the visitors in second place just two points ahead with two rounds of matches to play. The winners of Saturday’s clash could well go on to secure home advantage in the playoffs.
Both teams have been in great form over the past month, the Stormers stretching their winning run to five with a 20-10 triumph over the Brumbies last week and the Waratahs winning five-in-a-row before last week’s narrow loss to the Bulls in Pretoria. With so much at stake in one of the closest finishes ever, this clash could turn into a classic.
This week the Stormers coach is looking for an 80-minute effort from his team, which has developed a tendency to let the game get away from them in the second half. Erasmus has played down the importance of bonus points and is instead stressing that winning is the first priority.
The Waratahs, who appear to get stronger as the game goes on and have put in some strong second-half performances in recent weeks, will arrive in the Mother City in a confident mood despite last week’s defeat and the home side will have to work hard for every point.
Previous Super Rugby meetings: Stormers vs Waratahs
Stormers have won: 6, Waratahs have won: 4
2007 Stormers 16 Waratahs 10 in Sydney
2006 Stormers 26 Waratahs 32 in Cape Town
2005 Stormers 10 Waratahs 25 in Sydney
2004 Stormers 27 Waratahs 23 in Cape Town
2003 Stormers 39 Waratahs 29 in Sydney
2002 Stormers 25 Waratahs 26 in Cape Town
2001 Stormers 7 Waratahs 35 in Sydney
2000 Stormers 22 Waratahs 15 in Cape Town
1999 Stormers 28 Waratahs 18 in Sydney
1998 Stormers 35 Waratahs 33 in Cape Town
Another crucial encounter at the weekend is the clash between the Hurricanes and the Western Force in Wellington on Friday (09h35).
Previous Super 14 meetings: Hurricanes vs Western Force
2006 Hurricanes 29 Western Force 5 in Wellington