So the Super Rugby quarterfinalists have been confirmed this past weekend and the Lions and the Sharks will represent South Africa in the last eight this year.
Let’s just get this out of the way quickly; I totally agree with all the guys that have voiced their frustration with the conference system in recent weeks.
It is a flawed system and Sanzaar must look at a renewal before the start of the new season.
There is no way that two of the best teams in the competition, the Chiefs and the Hurricanes, should play each other this coming weekend.
If you look at the overall log, the Canes finished fourth and the Chiefs in fifth place.
Now if it wasn’t for the conference system, it would have been a 1-2-3 for New Zealand, with the Crusaders finishing at the top, followed by the Canes and the Chiefs.
As it stands, though, South Africa’s Lions - with five fewer log points than the Hurricanes - finished in second place.
Their reward?
A quarterfinal showdown against the Jaguares at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Now we all know that Mario Ledesma’s men are a dangerous side - they even rested some of their stars for the match against the Sharks.
SHARK STARTER: Curwin Bosch. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
That means Agustin Creevy and his teammates will be well rested heading into the Lions showdown.
Lions captain Warren Whiteley and his spanmaats, meanwhile, come off a gruelling battle against the Bulls in the trans-Jukskei derby this past weekend.
After Daniel Hourcade vacated his position as boss of Argentina coach at the end of the June international window, Ledesma is the likely candidate to replace him.
What you have then is actually Argentina preparing for a Bok showdown at Ellis Park - and that spells trouble for the Lions.
Not having been at their best this year, the Jaguares will feel they have every chance of making it to the semifinal.
In South Africa’s other quarterfinal early on Friday morning, I’m afraid the Sharks will just fly over to New Zealand for a brief visit and come back without having a further say in the competition.
Having snuck into the last eight, Curwin Bosch and company next face the overall log winners Crusaders.
The New Zealanders are just in a different class and should have no difficulty getting past coach Robert du Preez’s men in this encounter.
South Africa’s best bet is the Lions, but with the Jaguares going to Joburg - having already had some time to acclimatise to the conditions in South Africa - we might have nothing to cheer for at the end of this coming weekend.