Sidestep: Friday, May 24, 2015

If you missed the segment on Kaya FM 95.9, then enjoy.

Super Rugby

We are at the halfway stage of Super Rugby 2015 and while no teams are completely out of the playoffs, some are running out of time to make the knockout stages.


The South African conference is getting congested with the top four teams separated by seven points.

The Bulls lead the local charge with 28 points followed by the Stormers on 26, and that gap will either be increased or swapped around depending on what happens on Saturday night.

The two heavyweights of South African Rugby will meet in a North South Derby at Newlands, with the men from the Cape feeling confident after ending their Tour Down Under with two wins in a row.

The Bulls who haven’t left our shores yet have steadily improved after opening their season with two defeats
.
One of those losses was against the Stormers at Loftus, which ended 29-17.

Expect a closer encounter this weekend but the spoils might again go to the men from Western Cape.



Chelsea v Arsenal

Another title contender will be looking to trip up English Premier League champions in waiting, Chelsea.

Arsenal will be aiming to achieve what no other side in the top five has done this season – beat the Blues.

Jose Mourinho’s men have two defeats this entire season - a 2-1 loss against Newcastle and a shock 5-3 hammering by Tottenham Hotspur.

Seven days after a doing the job against Manchester United, Chelsea have a chance to move a step closer to the title with a win against the Gunners on Sunday.

The Blues won the London Derby when the two sides met on the fifth of October.

A penalty by Eden Hazard and goal by Diego Costa gave Chelsea a 2-0 victory on the day.

But one of the talking points from six months ago was the confrontation between the two managers.

Many might still remember the image of Arsene Wenger shoving Mourinho after a heated exchange on the sidelines.

And since there is no love lost between the opposing bosses, Sundays is perfectly
setup for another fiery exchange on and off the field.

If that was not enough to whet your appetite, former Gunner Cesc Fabregas can expect and unexpected return to the Emirates.

While the Spain international wanted to return to Arsenal after an unhappy stay in Barcelona, Wenger let him go to the west of the capital city.

Some Arsenal fans have requested the club remove the flag of the former captain ahead of the tie.


Location: Gauteng, South Africa

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