This is where you separate the men from the boys! When you get into the home straight of any competition, the real champions stand up to be counted.

We have already looked at the Friday games - where contenders like the Hurricanes, Blues, Crusaders and Waratahs will be in action.

On Saturday it will get even more intense, not only because we have four games, but three of the top four - the Bulls, Chiefs and Sharks - are in action.

It starts in Brisbane with an all-Aussie derby between the Reds v Brumbies (decisive for the Brumbies), before we cross the Indian Ocean to South Africa.

The Sharks are back from their break and face the Highlanders, the Sharks desperately looking to get their campaign back on track. The Bulls are at home to the Western Force in the most crucial game of the day (both teams still strongly in the running) and the action is completed when the Stormers host the Chiefs.

We look at all the Saturday action!

Saturday, May 2:

Reds v Brumbies
(Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - 19.40, 07.40 GMT)

The Reds, in second last place, could so easily trip up their compatriots - just as they put a spoke in the wobbly Blues wheel last week.

The Brumbies know that only a win will do, as they cling to their faint hope if sneaking in through the back door.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend made it clear that previous results between the two sides will have no bearing on Saturday's outcome.

The two sides will compete for the Rod Macqueen Cup, a trophy the Brumbies have held since it's inception in 2005 - having won 13 of the 14 matches against the Reds since 1996.

"We've got three must-win games in our last three rounds and so every match from here on in is vitally important for us," Friend said.

"We've got to turn around last week's performance [a 50-point loss to the Hurricanes] and our attitude during the week definitely suggests we can do that. It's a matter of matching up physically against what is a very competent Queensland pack.

"The Reds showed again last weekend [with a win] against the Blues what a dangerous side they are. Guys like Digby Ioane and Berrick Barnes have been outstanding for them throughout the season and there's no question they'll want to impress their home crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday."

Reds coach Phil Mooney believes an improved level of commitment, as shown last weekend against the Blues, will place his side in good stead against the Brumbies.

And Mooney will once again look to his leadership group to ensure his squad enters the game with the same intensity and desire they showed during their 31-24 win over the Blues.

"The senior group in particular took control of last week and set a great example and demanded better standards from other guys within the group. The result we got wasn't an accident," he said.

"This week is an opportunity to put together another good performance. Training thus far has been good and everyone is still very focused."

Mooney rates inspirational Brumbies' and Wallaby openside flank George Smith as one of the two of three best players in the world, but said Reds flank Poutasi Luafutu will be looking to back up an excellent performance against the Blues last weekend and be an integral part of a Reds' effort to contain Smith.

"He [Smith] is a guy we certainly have to be smart with how we engage him and we're looking at ways to do that," Mooney said.

"I thought Tasi was excellent versus the Blues and he's a bigger open side at 110 kilos, so he's very hard to move when he's over the footy. He can have a real influence at the breakdown, and that's what we are looking for him to do."

A win would give the Reds only their second victory over the Brumbies after a Ballymore win in 1999, but Mooney said the past is the past and the preference was to look forward rather than back.

"We've ticked a couple [of hoodoos] off already this year ? we've beaten a top four team and we've won away from home ? so we now want to be consistent for the rest of the year? and it starts this week.

"This week we're focusing on getting our game right again. Obviously we did it very well last week, but there are elements of our game that we need to be better in and we're certainly working hard this week.

The match will be the 135th appearance for hooker Sean Hardman, which will make him the Reds' most capped player. He is currently level with Mark Connors on 134 caps.

Recent results:
2008: Brumbies won 43-11, Canberra
2007: Brumbies won 6-3, Brisbane
2006: Brumbies won 36-0, Canberra
2005: Brumbies won 38-21, Brisbane

iafrica.com Prediction: The Reds have produced some sublime performances this season - as they did against the Blues last week and earlier in the season against the Sharks. What they have not done is being consistent. The Brumbies may well be far more desperate and that will give them the edge. The Brumbies to win by 10 to 15 points.

Teams:

Reds: 15 Mark McLinden, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Brando Va'aulu, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ezra Taylor, 7 Poutasi Luafutu, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill, 4 Van Humphries, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Jack Kennedy, 18 Adam Byrnes, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Charlie Fetoai, 22 Anthony Faingaa.

Brumbies: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Stirling Mortlock, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Nic Henderson, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Henry Vanderglas, 20 Joshua Holmes, 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 22 Francis Fainifo.

Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
Touch judges: Matt Goddard (Australia), Andrew Lees (Australia)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)

Sharks v Highlanders
(Absa Stadium, Durban - 15.00, 13.00 GMT)

The Sharks have, twice this season, come unstuck in games they were expected to win at a canter.

Sharks coach John Plumtree is adamant it won't happen a third time.

The Highlanders, despite coming off a two-match losing streak and with no realistic play-off prospects, are still rated a very dangerous outfit.

And as if they needed it Highlanders coach Glenn Moore made it clear that his team is targeting the set pieces as a key area.

Not surprising then to hear Plumtree say his team will not underestimate a Highlanders team who have shown the ability to play exciting rugby, as well as to grind out narrow victories against top class opposition.

"They will play; as they showed they can when they beat the Bulls comfortably," Plumtree said of the 36-12 win in Week Seven, adding: "That was probably their best performance of the season.

"They also beat a side like Crusaders six-nil, so they can slug it out with the best. They won't come here feeling intimidated by any means."

Bok captain John Smit, who will scrum down at tighthead on Saturday, agreed with his coach about the South Island outfit's ability to mix it with the best.

What is more, they are a group of players that can match the Sharks in a physical showdown.

"You do your tactical planning every week, but I have yet to play a team in the Super 14 that is not physical," Smit said, adding that the Sharks have learned from earlier mistakes.

"Look at our games against the Reds and Cheetahs - when everybody said we should put our five points down - and we got beat.

"That is what physicality is all about.

"It all depends on how you rock up mentally. Every team does bring a physicality to the game, but it is the mental preparation and attitude that determines whether you are in the right position."

He feels the Sharks need to dominate from the outset and not allow the visitors to settle down.

"We're a team that relies heavily on imposing ourselves physically on the opposition, but when we're not quite there with our mental attitude we can't apply the same kind of pressure that we should.

"This week that will be important, because the Highlanders are a team that won't give up and they have won some big games, but they are also in the same situation as us - they have lost two in a row and they will want to rectify that."

And Moore agreed that his team won't throw in the towel just yet, even though they remain a long shot - at best - for the play-offs.

The Highlanders coach made no secret of the fact that his team has focussed on the set pieces this week.

"Our set-piece last week [in an 11-18 loss to the Stormers] did not operate at the level we expected and that put our whole game under pressure," Moore said.

"We have got to execute our set-piece well and then we'll be able to put them under pressure. A good start is very important."

Recent results:
2008: Sharks won 19-17, Dunedin
2007: Sharks won 23-16, Durban
2006: Sharks won 26-11, Dunedin
2005: Highlanders won 43-7, Durban

iafrica.com Prediction: Forget those slip-ups against the Reds and Cheetahs. The Sharks will be rested and hungry on Saturday, while the Highlanders are not the world's best travellers. It won't be a canter, but the Sharks will win comfortably - by at least 10 points.

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Riaan Swanepoel, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (captain)/Albert van den Berg, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 John Smit, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Deon Carstens, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Albert van den Berg/Johan Snyman, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Andries Strauss

Highlanders: 1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 David Hall, 3 Clint Newland, 4 Hayden Triggs, 5 Tom Donnelly, 6 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai, 8 George Naoupu/Steven Setephano, 9 Jimmy Cowan (captain), 10 Mathew Berquist, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 12 Daniel Bowden, 13 Jason Shoemark, 14 Ben Smith, 15 Israel Dagg
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge , 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Josh Bekhuis, 19 Steven Setephano/Tim Boys, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Johnny Leota/Jayden Hayward, 22 Kendrick Lynn

Referee: Phillip Bosch (South Africa)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Pro Legoete (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

Bulls v Western Force
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria - 17.05, 15.05 GMT)

The Western Force have an amazing record on South African soil - just two defeats in eight starts and both were against Sharks.

The only time the Bulls and Force met at Loftus was 2007, a game the Force won against all odds.

However, the second-placed Bulls are determined not to fall into the same trap again. They know they have their destiny in their own hands and are perfectly placed to secure home ground advantage in the play-offs.

As Bulls prop Gurthro Steenkamp said this week, the Force are certainly a tough team and all three the Bulls' remaining league games are tough games.

"We know there's no easy games at this stage," Steenkamp said, adding that every game they play now is like a "knock-out" game.

"You can see that the guys are really focussed, because we know that no team will be a soft touch - especially with the play-off race being such a close call, which means just one defeat could drop you four or five places down the standings.

"There is so much at stake and the players are well aware of it."

While they won't be a soft touch up front, the Bulls feel they may well have the edge in the set pieces and they will aim to dominate possession, because the Force remains a very destructive outfit with ball in hand.

"Their backline has always been a great strengths," Steenkamp said, adding: "They like to speed up the game and they are very dangerous from broken play.

"We, as a team, must remain focussed on defence and ensure we shut them down before they can attack us from broken play."

Bulls captain Victor Matfield, with their 2007 loss to the Force in mind, said they are preparing for a huge onslaught from the visitors.

"We've seen during in the last couple of weeks that they are a very dangerous team, but we will just concentrate on our own game and try to improve everything that we are doing," Matfield said.

"They like to play quick and they are masters of phase play and therefore the breakdowns are again going to be crucial.

"However, in Deon Stegmann, Dewald Potgieter and Derick Kuun we have a number of players that can put them under pressure at the rucks."

Recent results:
2008: Force won 15-14, Perth
2007: Force won 30-27, Pretoria
2006: Bulls won 30-21, Perth

iafrica.com Prediction: Never before have the Bulls been in such a favourable position at this stage of the season. They are in second position and if they keep on winning won't need some extraordinary scoreline - as they did in 2006 and 2007 - to sneak into the play-offs. The simply need to keep on winning and winning they will - by 10 to 15 points.

Teams:

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner; 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana; 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez; 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuun, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 JP Nel

Western Force: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Pek Cowan
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 AJ Whalley, 18 Gareth Hardy, 19 Tom Hockings, 20 Tamaiti Horua, 21 Josh Tatupu, 22 Haig Sare

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Daniel Cheever (Australia)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Stormers v Chiefs

(Newlands, Cape Town - 19.10, 17.10 GMT)

The Chiefs are a group of very special players, who have that wonderful ability to produce sublime displays - those magical moments that have entertained us all season.

But they can also be shut down, maybe not entirely, but enough for the opposition to win - as the Bulls showed last week.

The Chiefs, before their six-match victory run came to an end last week, twice went past the 50-point mark and scored more than 30 points on two other occasions.

Not surprising then to hear Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus speak of the importance of defence.

However, the real leveller in this game may well be the weather, with Chiefs captain Mills Muliaina admitting that they may have to temper their expansive approach and settle for a more sedate approach.

"I'd like to say yes, we will score lots of tries," Muliaina said of his team, that averaged four tries per game in the first 10 weeks.

However, his team needs to be more accurate with the ball in hand and also ensure they get better quality possession than what they got against the Bulls last week.

"We must get our set piece right, plus we lost a lot of ball in contact in the attacking 22 and that was very disappointing," the Chiefs' captain said.

"We certainly didn't keep the ball as well as we wanted to.

"We like to score points and score tries and while we will try and move the ball a bit more, the big factor this week that will affect the way we play will be the weather.

"It sounds like it's going to be some rain, so that might alter our game plan a bit. But we will be looking to score some points."

The Stormers coach, Erasmus, admitted that the Chiefs don't have many weaknesses.

"They have wonderful game breakers and you know exactly what's coming," Erasmus said.

"If you take them from No.1 to No.15, almost every player can step and create something.

"The big thing about defence against them is not so much the system but the one-on-one tackling, because they can create havoc if you slip too many tackles."

Erasmus also spoke of the importance of the set pieces.

"Their scrum and line-outs are also good and they drift a bit more on the defence than they did last year."

Muliaina admitted that the Stormers could be caught in the same trap as the Chiefs, with foul weather likely to put a dampener on their expansive attitudes.

He said the Stormers are different from other South African franchises in that they move the ball a little more than some of the other South African teams.

He felt the Stormers are no less physical than other SA sides, but said the key with them is to dominate the breakdown.

"The breakdown is going to be crucial for us and we'll have to work really hard to attack the ball at the breakdown, turn it over and attack from there," the Chiefs' captain said.

Recent results:
2008: Stormers won 35-26, Hamilton
2007: Stormers won 21-16 Cape Town
2006: Chiefs won 30-20, Mount Maunganui
2005: Chiefs won 37-34, Cape Town
2004: Chiefs won 29-14, Hamilton

iafrica.com Prediction: With the possibility of inclement weather there won't be a massive blowout and a flood of tries. But that doesn't mean there won't be intrigue and drama. The Stormers will give them a big scare, before the Chiefs will sneak a win - 10 points or less.

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Dylan Des Fountain, 12 Peter Grant, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 8 Luke Watson, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 AJ Venter, 4 Hilton Lobberts, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JD Moller.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Wicus Blaauw, 18 Martin Muller, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Morgan Newman, 22 Tiger Bax.

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (captain), 14 Sosene Anesi, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Toby Morland, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Toby Lynn, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 James McGougan, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Ben May
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Kevin O'Neill, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 David Bason, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Tim Mikkelson

Referee: James Leckie (Australia)
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Julian Pritchard (Australia)
TMO: Michael Cupido (South Africa)