Highlanders v Blues, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

19:35 local, 07:35 GMT, 17:35 EST, 17:05 CST, 15:35 WST

Head to head: Played 21; Highlanders 7, Blues 14

In Dunedin: Played 10; Highlanders 5, Blues 5 (*Highlanders 1-0 at this venue)

Last clash: Round 8 2013 - Blues 29-18 Highlanders, Eden Park, Auckland

Preview: The Highlanders had a horrible time in South Africa and Western Australia, to match the horrible time that has been season 2013, if we're to be completely honest. The Highlanders were happy with their defensive efforts in the loss to the Force, and they'll need to replicate that effort against the Blues, and then some. Similarly, fullback Ben Smith was a lone hand in attack and he simply must get more support around the fringes if the Highlanders are to turn his half-chances into points.

The Blues, meanwhile, have to win every game from here on to be a chance of making the play-offs. Right now though, they need just to win back their coach, Sir John Kirwan, who described the performance against the Brumbies as "unacceptable" - and who apologised to fans for what they had endured. Blues captain Ali Williams, one of the more brutally honest interviewees in Super Rugby, has this week implored his team-mates to "find something inside themselves" and prove they are worthy play-offs contenders. All eyes - and ears - will be on the Blues in this game.

Tip: Blues by 5

Queensland Reds v Melbourne Rebels, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

19:40 local, 09:40 GMT, 19:40 EST, 19:10 CST, 17:40 WST

Head to head: Played 5; Reds 5, Rebels 0

In Brisbane: Played 2, Reds 2, Rebels 0

Last clash: Round 4 2013 - Rebels 13 - 23 Reds, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Preview: If you knew coming into this game that one team was coming off consecutive wins and the other consecutive losses, you'd be excused for assuming the team doing well was the one running fifth overall, not the one running 12th. But such is the nature of Super Rugby in 2013 that everything that's down is up, and vice versa. The Rebels come into this match having never beaten the Reds, but in successive weeks, they've already racked up their first win over a South African team and their first win over the Waratahs. Another "first" is firmly within their sights.

It almost seems unfathomable, considering the way the Reds have played with attacking freedom over the past few seasons, but their attack seems to have completely stalled over the last month. All eyes have been on Quade Cooper, to see how he responds to his omission from the Wallabies squad, and it seems as if even his team-mates are watching and waiting for him to do something; Will Genia included. Discussion around the Reds' play-offs hopes hasn't been overly positive of late, and they must get their act together and beat what will be a scalp-hungry opponent.

Tip: Reds by 10

Stormers v Southern Kings, Newlands Stadium, Cape Town

17:05 local, 15:05 GMT, 01:05 EST +1d, 00:35 CST +1d, 23:05 WST

Head to head: First meeting between the teams

Preview: The Stormers' impressive win over the Reds last weekend belied their current 11th place on the overall standings; yet as the ladder stands, they are only 10 points clear of the Kings. An upset in this game, and an unhappy time of it after the June international window could see the previously unthinkable coming to bear: the Stormers, last year's overall standings leaders, could finish last in South Africa and face a play-off showdown against the Lions to determine the fifth team from the Republic for 2014.

The Kings are in a bit of a bind in their preparations for this match, with injuries forcing coach Matt Sexton and director of rugby Alan Solomons to delay naming their team until after their Thursday training session. They will also have an eye on the looming promotion-relegation game, too, and they won't want to be going into such a crucial game with an injury-plagued squad. In the more immediate future, they'll do well to stay in touch with the Stormers here.

Tip: Stormers by 12

Cheetahs v Bulls, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

18:10 local, 16:10 GMT, 02:10 EST +1d, 01:40 CST +1d, 00:10 WST +1d

Head to head: Played 10; Cheetahs 0, Bulls 10

In Bloemfontein: Played 5; Cheetahs 0, Bulls 5

Last clash: Round 9 2013 - Bulls 26-20 Cheetahs, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Preview: Another unbelievably important South African derby, with the Cheetahs only a bonus-point win below the Bulls at the top of the conference. The Cheetahs have never beaten the Bulls since their introduction into Super Rugby, and there could be no better time to break the drought. The Cheetahs had little trouble putting the Kings away last week, for the only bonus-point win of round 15, while the try-less Bulls finally overcame the Sharks in the 74th minute with Morne Steyn's sixth penalty goal in Durban.

Cheetahs Captain Adriaan Struass has described this clash as the biggest of their season, but also one of opportunity. "This has been a season of firsts for us, and on Saturday we want another first - to beat the Bulls for the first time," Strauss told Super Sport in South Africa. The Cheetahs' best chance of that seems a simple equation of field position, and closely watching their discipline inside Steyn's kicking range. Early points on the board, particularly early tries on the board would also force the Bulls to chase points themselves, rather than just accumulate possession and move the scoreboard in three-point increments.

The Cheetahs may need the game of the franchise's history to overcome the Bulls, who are currently on a six-game winning streak, but they have the form and the firepower to do it. I can smell an upset.

Tip: Cheetahs by 5.

Byes: Chiefs, Western Force, Sharks

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