After three rounds of Super Rugby action, there are only two unbeaten sides left in this year’s Super Rugby tournament.
One of them is coach John Dobson’s Stormers, with New Zealand’s Chiefs being the other.
The Stormers, though, were perhaps a bit lucky in getting a get-out-of-jail free card with their last-gasp 33-30 win over the Lions on Saturday.
So wat het ons alles wys geraak die naweek in Super Rugby?
1.
Elton Jantjies is the No.1 pick for Bok flyhalf position
Despite his team losing to the Stormers, Jantjies had an outstanding game for the Lions.
Much of the pre-match hype was around the Springbok flyhalf situation, with Jantjies going up against “the future” Damian Willemse.
Not only did the Lions pivot set up a try when he gave a delightful cross-kick into the hands of Courtnall Skosan, he also scored one of his own.
Then he landed a 50m pressure penalty kick a few minutes before the final whistle blew to give the Lions a four-point lead.
Points aside, Jantjies read the game well and did more than his bit on defence for his team.
With the Sharks’ Curwin Bosch not having played this and the Bulls having had a bye, I’d definitely say Jantjies is currently the frontrunner for the Bok No.10 jumper.
Overseas-based players aside obviously.
2.
Time for change in the Stormers midfield
British and Irish Lion Jamie Roberts didn’t have the best of outings in Johannesburg.
Having joined the Stormers to replace Damian de Allende at inside centre, it was always going to be challenging for the Welshman to play a 3pm match in Johannesburg.
And it showed.
Roberts knocked on a restart, with the ball going straight through his “bread basket” and also knocked on a ball at the base of a ruck while acting as scrumhalf.
Those aren’t mistakes you expect a seasoned veteran to make.
DROPPED THE BALL: Jamie Roberts. Picture: RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX
Anyway, I still believe his signing was a great one for the Stormers - especially in mentoring young players.
One such player is Rikus Pretorius.
Coach Dobson has spoken highly of the youngster and after watching Roberts in action and spending time with the Welshman for a month already, I would like to see what Pretorius can bring to the table.
Dobson toyed with the idea of playing Pretorius at Ellis Park, but decided to back Roberts instead.
With the Jaguares coming to town this week, maybe it’s time to unleash Pretorius.
3.
Stormers can open up a gap
The Jaguares come to Cape Town on the back of three home matches in Argentina.
All of those matches were early on Sunday mornings, so I have to admit that I haven’t watched any of them live on TV.
But with momentum, Newlands and confidence on their side and the Jaguares playing their first match outside Argentina, I believe the Stormers head into the clash as favourite.
And if they can manage to win their fourth match of the season, the Capetonians are well on their way to having a big season.
With their tour of Australasia only coming after Round 10 this year, Dobson’s charges can build up a big buffer in the South African Conference before they face the Chiefs, Crusaders, Brumbies and Sunwolves on the road.