The hunt for South African supremacy takes on a different form this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The o was scrapped back in March and now we have Super Rugby Unlocked.

After six long months in lockdown, the caged animals that are South Africa’s rugby elite have had brief opportunities to stretch their legs over the last fortnight and will be unleashed back into the wild with the intensity that can only be inspired by the scent of sought-after silverware.

Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup Explained

With two trophies up for grabs, starved rugby fans can expect double the fireworks with the top teams able to employ all their Test titans for the first phase – and perhaps the full duration – of the domestic season, should the Springboks not take part in the Rugby Championship.

The Currie Cup champion Cheetahs, along with the Pumas and Griquas, join Super Rugby teams the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers for a seven-week sprint for the Super Rugby Unlocked title.

The team at the top of the standings (the weekend of 20-21 November) will be crowned Super Rugby Unlocked champions. Thereafter, all log points will be transferred to the Currie Cup, which culminates on 23 January.

The Bulls, Cheetahs, Sharks and Stormers are all strong title contenders. The Lions enter as wildcards, while minnows Griquas and the Pumas will be plotting some upsets.

Super Rugby Unlocked Round 1

The gold rush starts with a bang with the Sharks squaring off against the Lions at Kings Park on Friday night. Both teams want to set the benchmark.

On Saturday, a Cheetahs side with a chip on their shoulder host the Pumas in Bloemfontein. Thereafter the Bulls tackle Griquas at Loftus Versfeld. Lurking in the shadows are the Stormers, who will use their bye to scout the opposition.

This is how we see things playing out in Round One of Super Rugby Unlocked, predictions and betting tips included.

Sharks v Lions (Friday – 19:00)

The season-opener is the pick of the first-round and could be a palate cleanser after the error-ridden Springbok Showdown last weekend. Both teams like to play a fast-paced, positive brand of rugby, so the Durban derby has the potential to produce fireworks. The electricity of the encounter will be diluted if the possibility of showers becomes a reality.

Lockdown robbed the surging Sharks of the momentum that propelled them to the top of the table in Super Rugby. It also allowed the limping Lions an opportunity to regroup. While the result didn’t go their way, the Super Fan Saturday hit out against the Stormers was a promising performance. The Lions looked reinvigorated so watch them closely.

Based on their pre-pandemic form, the Sharks looked the favourites to earn domestic bragging rights. The 49-28 loss to Jake White’s Bulls on Super Fan Saturday curbed that expectations in the eyes of some. But one can’t take too much out of a hit out like that. They’ll miss their star back trio Makazole Mapimpi (on sabbatical), Sbu Nkosi and Aphelele Fassi (both injured), but the Durbanites have solid depth and are a very well-rounded side.

The battle of the halfback pairings will be pivotal in terms of execution and decision-making. Sanele Nohamba was the star of the Springbok Showdown with his pinpoint box kicks. Coupled with Curwin Bosch’s booming boot and their local knowledge of the conditions, this could give the Sharks the edge.

Prediction: Sharks by 7.

Cheetahs v Pumas (Saturday – 16:30)

The Cheetahs are primed to take their anger and frustration out on the Pumas. This after being booted out of the PRO14 in frustrating fashion. SA Rugby regards it as the best business and rugby move. The men from Bloemfontein view it as the ultimate form of disrespect, and you have to feel for them.

The heart-breaking bombshell is akin to pouring gasoline onto the Free Staters’ fire. Winning Super Rugby Unlocked silverware en route to retaining their Currie Cup crown will show SA Rugby what they are missing. Frans Steyn will add invaluable experience and unparalleled firepower to the side. He will also complement the marshalling of fellow Springbok veteran Ruan Pienaar, the Cheetahs will be there or thereabout.

The Pumas will bring plenty of passion and exuberance to the table. And that could see them pull off an upset or two. But it’s highly unlikely that a focused and fiery Cheetahs will fall victim to the outmatched minnows at home. The men from Mpumalanga managed just one win in last year’s Currie Cup (Sharks) and two the previous year. And last weekend they lost 33-5 to an experimental Lions team after beating a Blue Bulls XV (effectively a C team) 50-38.

Expect Hawies Fourie’s men – who shook off the shutout rust with back-to-back wins over Griquas (40-7 and 31-21), to make a statement.

Prediction: Cheetahs by 25.

Bulls v Griquas (Saturday – 19:00)

The lockdown was a blessing in disguise for the Bulls. It paved the way for White to take the reins and overhaul the franchise from the ground up. And White did this with a bevvy of game-changing signings.

The White factor was immediately evident as the Pretoria side pummelled the Sharks on Super Fan Saturday. It was a fantastic first hit out for the Bulls. It indicated they are a different breed than the bunch that won just one of six to this year.

The class difference here is as vast as the preceding match, if not more so. Similar to the Pumas, Griquas are always game. However, it’ll take a minor miracle for a team of developing youngsters and journeymen to shock a Springbok-laden Bulls team.

Prediction: Bulls by 21.

Related Topicsbetting tipsBullsCurrie CupGriquasLionsPumasSharksStormers

Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.