Bulls, Cheetahs face-off for SA dominance
WELLINGTON - NAMPA/AP
South Africa's Bulls can follow New Zealand side the Chiefs in cementing their regional dominance in Super Rugby with a win over nearest rivals the Cheetahs in the last match of the 16th round tomorrow.
The Hamilton-based Chiefs beat the Christchurch-based Crusaders last weekend to stretch their lead to 10 points in the New Zealand conference of the southern hemisphere tournament.
If the Pretoria-based Bulls can beat the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, they could establish a lead of similar magnitude in South Africa, leaving only the Australian region in dispute as the tournament nears its break for June internationals.
The ACT Brumbies currently enjoy a five point lead over the Queensland Reds in the Australian conference, a gap which depends on the outcome of matches this weekend between the Brumbies and Wellington-based Hurricanes and the Reds and Melbourne Rebels.
Behind the three conference leaders the contest for places in the top-six playoffs zone has become tenser, given urgency by the approach of the Test window.
The Cheetahs are currently in fourth place with 45 points, ahead of the Reds - also on 45 points - and the Crusaders with 42 points.
The Auckland-based Blues, in seventh place, also have 42 points and lead the New South Wales Waratahs (39), the Wellington-based Hurricanes (38) and the Durban-based Sharks and Cape Town-based Stormers, both with 34.
Four rounds remain in the regular season, including next weekend's all-Australian round, scheduled to make room for the impending tour of Australia by the British and Irish Lions.
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