Bekker must be cross for Crusaders to bear

The Stormers will be hoping inspirational lock Andries Bekker will deliver another towering performance in their tough encounter against the Crusaders at Newlands on Saturday.

The Cape side has lost its last two home matches against the seven-time champions, both in 2011 (the second match was the semifinal). So they have significant mental scarring when it comes to facing the New Zealanders.

But, after consecutive wins against the Chiefs and Brumbies, in which Bekker's contribution was monumental, the Stormers hope to maintain their momentum and take it into this clash.

The Crusaders are also fresh off two wins - against the Bulls and Kings - but are in SA without All Black legends Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read.

The absentees will undermine the tourists' strength and, if ever the Stormers are going to put one over the Crusaders, it will have to be this weekend.

To do that, Bekker's superb lineout skills and athleticism across the park will be crucial. Against the Brumbies last week he made two clean line breaks, to take his tally to four for the season. That puts him in the company of backline players such as Digby Ioane, Julian Savea, Lelia Masaga and above Robbie Fruean.

He has also scored three tries this season while winning his own lineout ball with ease.

"Andries has been fantastic because he has been playing every week. His form has improved because of the momentum he's built up," said Stormers captain Jean de Villiers. "Hopefully he remains fit so we get as much game time from him as possible. He is vital to our campaign.

"But I must also acknowledge how well the pack has played as a unit, and because the guys around Andries have all pulled their weight, which frees him up to run with the ball and get around the park. For that to happen a guy like De Kock Steenkamp needs to hit 20-30 rucks in a game and make a lot of tackles.

"Everyone is complementing each other at the moment."

The Stormers also have injury worries though. The latest is hooker Tiaan Liebenberg, who will be out for a while with torn elbow ligaments.

The Cheetahs, after winning three of four tour matches, enjoy their second home outing of the season when they take on the Rebels in Bloemfontein.

On current form the Cheetahs should win comfortably - but the only thing consistent about the Cheetahs over the years has been their inconsistency.

To show everyone - including themselves - that they are genuine play-off contenders, they must beat the lowly Rebels to secure a fourth straight win for only the second time in the franchise's history.

The Bulls have given a start to current junior world player of the year Jan Serfontein after a strong 15-minute cameo off the bench against the Reds last week.

They play the Brumbies this weekend in Canberra. Serfontein replaces Francois Venter at centre as the Bulls look to secure their second win on tour after losses to the Crusaders and Reds.

The Kings' road trip continues against the Hurricanes in Wellington following last week's heavy defeat by the Crusaders.

Centre Andries Strauss becomes the fifth captain in as many games for the injury-ravaged Kings. The newcomers have shown great heart, but lack of depth is putting their squad under pressure as injuries mount.