My Super 14 predictions for Round 14:

CHIEFS v BRUMBIES:
Friday, May 15 ? 9.35am

The Chiefs will be on a high after their derby win over the Hurricanes last week and they are within touching distance of a home Super 14 semifinal.

The Brumbies, on the other hand, still have a very real chance of making the semifinals, but their record in New Zealand is not too flash and I cannot see it getting any better this weekend.

Fleckie's prediction: The Chiefs will win this one and keep the pressure on the Bulls. Chiefs by 10 points.

LIONS v WARATAHS:
Friday, May 15 ? 7.10pm

Regular readers of this column will know that I am not a massive Waratahs fan and it was interesting to read Eddie Jones's views in the Aussie press this week ? he doesn't rate them too much either!

Still, they did well to beat the Sharks in Durban last week ? and you cannot take that away from them.

The Lions fought back nicely last week and thoroughly deserved their victory over the Highlanders.

Fleckie's prediction: The Waratahs' defence will win it for them ? 'Tahs by five.

BLUES v CRUSADERS:
Saturday, May 16 ? 9.35am

This should be a cracker ? a good old-fashioned North v South Island clash in New Zealand.

The Blues have lost three games in a row ? to the Reds, 'Canes and Brumbies ? which I guess puts an end to my theory that they are inconsistent; that is just downright poor, nothing inconsistent about that!

Still, they have some amazing outside backs in the shape of Wulf, Ranger, Tuitavake, Toeava, Rokocoko, with Toeava ? in particular ? being rather impressive, despite his team's dire results of late.

The Crusaders, meanwhile, have certainly picked things up; they are looking good in terms of a semifinal place, and they play a very simple game.

Fleckie's prediction: The Crusaders pack will squeeze out the win here, despite being away from home. Crusaders by five points.

REDS v HURRICANES:
Saturday, May 16 ? 11.40am

This should be a high-scoring match, but the Hurricanes have plenty at stake ? whereas the Reds do not.

I really have enjoyed watching the Reds at times this season and sincerely believe they will be a force in years to come ? provided, of course, that they keep the core of their young playing group together.

Fleckie's prediction: As much as I would like the Reds to do the South African teams a favour, I expect the 'Canes to win by 10 or more.

FORCE v HIGHLANDERS:
Saturday, May 16 ? 1.45pm

The Force had an up and down tour of South Africa, but they're at home in their final league game of the season and will no doubt be happier ? and who can blame them?

It's been a tough old season for them, what with all the talk of off-field issues, and coach John Mitchell would certainly be hoping to end the season with a win.

The Highlanders have had their moments this season. Written off ? by me, amongst others ? their pack showed tremendous strength throughout the season and they will look to dominate that area once again.

Fleckie's prediction: The Force by five.

CHEETAHS v STORMERS:
Saturday, May 16 ? 4pm

I thought the Stormers were good value in their win over the Force last week, but they could have won by more had they taken all their chances.

They impressed with some good phase play at times, but they have still not managed to hit their straps this season and they are still way off from getting their best side out there.

The Cheetahs, on the other hand, were involved in a morale-boosting dog-fight against the table-topping Bulls and even though Habana managed a late intercept try to seal that four-try bonus point, I thought their defence was good.

Of course, leading that defensive once again were those outstanding flankers of theirs, Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow ? surely the best flanking duo in South Africa at present. They were magnificent.

Fleckie's prediction: I'd like to say the Stormers will take this one, but they're without the likes of Schalk and Jean... the Cheetahs to edge them out by three points.

SHARKS v BULLS:
Saturday, May 16 ? 6.05pm

The Sharks have had a poor three/four-week period. I guess, some people might be wondering just what has gone wrong, but without knowing the ins-and-outs in their camp, one could merely speculate.

Maybe they were trying too hard to 'defend' their lead at the top of the table... maybe they were over-confident ? as I said, it's hard to say for sure.

With the Sharks hitting a downward spiral, the Bulls have been magnificent of late ? shades of 2007 in many ways... and we all know what happened in their final league match when they went chasing a home semifinal!

I have said before, in previous columns, how to go about beating the Bulls ? but if you try the Kiwi way of fronting up to them and trying to beat them at the breakdown and physically across the park, you could open yourself up to getting smashed ? physically and on the scoreboard.

Then, if that is not enough of a worry, Bryan Habana is playing superb rugby and is a threat all across the park. He will punish any sloppy passes or kicks ? as we saw last week.

Fleckie's prediction: This game is going to be a ding-dong affair of note and the result won't be settled until late on. The Sharks, however, will pick it up this week and just edge the Bulls by three.

Cheers, Fleckie

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Robbie Fleck is a Tournament Host for the 2010 Cape Town Tens. For more, visit www.capetowntens.com