Super Rugby: Road to the play-offs
Last week this time the Crusaders were in the pound seats - the rest were chasing their tails.
Now the Lions are in the pounds seats and the Chiefs have also overtaken the seven-time champions.
But it can all change again this week and probably will.
The only certainty is that the Lions have already secured their place in the play-offs - they will top the Africa Two conference and need just one win to top the combined Africa conference.
However, in order to stay No.1 on the global standings and ensure they play all their knock-out games at Ellis Park, the pride of Johannesburg will need two wins and at least one bonus point.
The Chiefs, one point behind the Lions, head a New Zealand collection of four teams that are within one win of overtaking the Lions. However, only one of them is guaranteed a top four finish (home ground advantage in the quarterfinals) - while the other three are chasing (and could get) the three remaining wildcard spots.
The wildcard race in the Africa conference is between the Sharks and Bulls.
Let's look at each team's prospects in the hope that we can unclutter the muddled mayhem.
Australian Conference
Brumbies:
Best possible finish: First in the conference, first overall
Worst possible finish: Second in the conference, 12th overall
Remaining matches:
v Blues, away
v Force, home
Waratahs:
Current position: Second in conference, ninth overall
Best possible finish: First in conference first overall
Worst possible finish: Second in conference, ninth overall
Remaining matches:
v Hurricanes, home
v Blues, away
Rebels:
Current position: Third in conference, 12th overall
Best possible finish: Third in conference, ninth overall
Worst possible finish: Third in conference, 14th overall
Remaining matches:
v Crusaders, away
v Reds, away
Reds:
Current position: Fourth in conference, 15th overall
Best possible finish: Fourth in conference, 13th overall
Worst possible finish: Last in conference, last overall
Remaining matches:
v Chiefs, home
v Rebels, home
Force:
Current position: Last in conference, 16th overall
Best possible finish: Fourth in conference, 13th overall
Worst possible finish: Last in conference, last overall
Remaining matches:
v Stormers, home
v Brumbies, away
New Zealand Conference
Chiefs:
Current position: First in conference, second overall
Best possible finish: First in conference, first overall
Worst possible finish: Fourth in conference, ninth overall
Remaining matches:
v Reds, away
v Highlanders, away
Crusaders:
Current position: Second in conference, fifth overall
Best possible finish: First in conference, first overall
Worst possible finish: Fourth in conference, 10th overall
Remaining matches:
v Rebels, home
v Hurricanes, home
Hurricanes:
Current position: Third in conference, sixth overall
Best possible finish: First in conference, first overall
Worst possible finish: Fourth in conference, ninth overall
Remaining matches:
v Waratahs, away
v Crusaders, away
Highlanders:
Current position: Fourth in conference, seventh overall
Best possible finish: First in conference, first overall
Worst possible finish: Fourth in conference, ninth overall
Remaining matches:
v Jaguares, away
v Chiefs, home
Blues:
Current position: Fifth in conference, 11th overall
Best possible finish: Fifth in conference, ninth overall
Worst possible finish: Fifth in conference, 13th overall
Remaining matches:
v Brumbies, home
v Waratahs, home
South Africa One
Stormers:
Current position: First conference, third overall
Best possible finish: First conference, first overall
Worst possible finish: Second conference, 10th overall
Remaining matches:
v Force, away
v Kings, home
Bulls:
Current position: Second Conference, 10th overall
Best possible finish: First in conference, third overall
Worst possible finish: Second in conference, 12th overall
Remaining matches:
v Sunwolves, home
v Cheetahs, away
Cheetahs:
Current position: Third conference, 13th overall
Best possible finish: Third conference, 11th overall
Worst possible finish: Third conference, 16th overall
Remaining matches:
v Sharks, away
v Bulls, home
Sunwolves:
Current position: Last conference, last overall
Best possible finish: Last conference, 14th overall
Worst possible finish: Last conference, last overall
Remaining matches:
v Bulls, away
v Sharks, away
South Africa Two:
Lions:
Current position: First conference, first overall
Best possible finish: First conference, first overall
Worst possible finish: First conference, Fourth overall
Remaining matches:
v Kings, home
v Jaguares, away
Sharks:
Current position: Second conference, eighth overall
Best possible finish: Second conference, sixth overall
Worst possible finish: Second conference, 12th overall
Remaining matches:
v Cheetahs, home
v Sunwolves, home
Jaguares:
Current position: Third conference, 14th overall
Best possible finish: Third conference, 12th overall
Worst possible finish: Last conference, last overall
Remaining matches:
v Highlanders, home
v Lions, home
Kings:
Current position: Last conference, 17th overall
Best possible finish: Third conference, 14th overall
Worst possible finish: Last conference, last overall
Remaining matches:
v Lions, away
v Stormers, away
Jan de Koning's Top Eight prediction:
1 Lions
2 Chiefs
3 Stormers
4 Brumbies
5 Crusaders
6 Highlanders
7 Hurricanes
8 Sharks
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