Those who want to play detractor to the excellent start made to the 2010 Vodacom Super 14 by the Bulls and the Stormers normally point to one not completely insignificant little fact – both of the front-runners have played the bulk of their games at home.

That changes after this weekend, however, and it is why the two South African teams will be even more keyed up as they go into the sixth round of the competition. After this comes the tour, and what happens on the road could hinge on whether they leave with the confidence that will come with a victory or the question marks that inevitably accompany defeat. This then is about ensuring that the foundations are strong.

For the Stormers, as skipper Schalk Burger readily acknowledges, it is an even more crucial weekend as the Cheetahs match is the last one before their bye. In a sense then, it is like the last school or university exam before your break, and the mood of your holiday could be dependent upon how you finish off. “We have the week off next week and we will be much happier if we go into our break with a victory,” said Burger.

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