Bulls may end lacklustre season on a high note

Force v Waratahs
Sky Sports 1, 10.45am Saturday

Both these teams have long been out of the running for a playoff place but there is still enough to play for to ensure a decent contest.

There are Wallabies places up for grabs for the forthcoming Rugby Championship, while the Force can put down a huge statement for their threatened future as a victory will see them finish as the second-best Australian team.

The Tahs' matches have averaged more than 60 points and eight tries per game, and though the one fixture that went right against that trend was their 19-13 victory over these opponents in round one, there is every reason to expect an open, end-of-season encounter.

Waratahs full-back Israel Folau has been in outstanding form, scoring five tries in his last four matches, and he is worth backing at odds-against to keep up that run.

Recommendation
I Folau to score a try
1pt 21-10 bet365

Sharks v Lions
Sky Sports 1, 4.15pm Saturday

In contrast to the Tahs and Force, the Sharks and Lions have already secured their playoff places but have still named strong line-ups for this showdown in Durban.

By kick-off time they will know where their playoff rivals have finished and there may be all kinds of possibilities for tailoring the result to avoid New Zealand opposition next week.

It's hard to know how seriously to take all the talk, although it's clear that if the Crusaders lose to the Hurricanes, the Lions will go all out for the victory that would see them finishing top of the pile.

The Johannesburg outfit, with just one defeat to their name all year, have scored one shy of 200 points in their last three matches and should prove too strong.

Recommendation
Lions to win by 11 to 20 points
1pt 16-5 Betfair

Bulls v Stormers
6.30pm Saturday

The two key factors for this final regular-season match in Johannesburg are how fired up the Stormers will be given their playoff berth is secure, and how much the Bulls are hurting from last week’s one-point home defeat to the Kings.

Given the teams' records this season, the Stormers should be more than four-point favourites so bookmakers are clearly expecting a reaction from the hosts.

Last week's defeat to the Kings was an aberration for the Bulls, whose only previous defeats at home this season had come against New Zealand opposition, so they are worth chancing.

Recommendation
Bulls
1pt 6-4 Betfair