Force 24 Crusaders 29
In a clash of very similar styles, the Force pushed the Crusaders all the way in their best showing of the year. In the early stages of the match the home team "out-Crusaded" the Crusaders, shifting the point of attack, dominating the loose forward battle and counter-attacking brilliantly. The teams traded two tries each in the opening 30 minutes, but the Force who went in at half-time 17-12 ahead on the back of a Richard Brown try. Another try to Lachlan McKay early in the second half secured the Force a bonus point and the upset was on. However, the Crusaders were able to draw on their experience, running in three tries in the final 30 minutes to secure the win and send themselves to the top of the table.

Sharks 22 Blues 17
The Sharks got themselves off to the best possible start, Keegan Daniel scoring a try after just 15 seconds - and the home side never looked back. Controlling the tempo for most of the game, they never allowed the Blues to get into their rhythm, going into the break up 19-3. The Blues were finally able to show their class in the second half, picking up tries through Nick Evans and replacement half-back Taniela Moa, but were unable to land the finishing blow.

Highlanders 6 Hurricanes 10
The early signs in this game were good as the visitors jumped into an early lead with a Jerry Collins try, but after 10 minutes the skill level dropped to something resembling under 14, not Super 14. Both sides seemed to have no idea how to hold on to the ball or what to do with it. Most of my notes about this game are unprintable, and the less said about it the better.

Waratahs 24 Brumbies 17
The all-Aussie derby match produced a tight and enthralling contest which could have gone either way. In the end it was the home side who capitalised in the second half to claim a good win, thanks to Lote Tuqiri and Dean Mumm tries. The Waratahs went 10-0 ahead midway through the first half, before the Brumbies fightback began. Oddly enough it was sparked by a yellow card to midfielder Tyrone Smith, who watched his side draw level while down a man. The second half was a stalemate, broke only by Tuqiri's intercept try, and Mumm's score from a charge down.

Bulls 31 Lions 17
Despite being down to 13 men at one stage, and 14 for most of the match, the Bulls got their season back on track with a derby win. Fullback Zane Kirchner was sent off after 29 minutes for a spear tackle and enforcer Bakkies Botha was sin-binned for his part in the ensuing melee. But the Lions were only able to muster one try with a two-man advantage. The difference between the two teams was the boot of Bulls fly half Derek Hougaard, who kept the scoreboard ticking over for the home side and finished with 21 points.

Chiefs 22 Cheetahs 20
In a game of two halves, the Cheetahs squandered a 17-0 interval lead to crash to their fourth loss of the season. Cheetahs wingers Eddie Fredericks and Jongi Nokwe picked up tries in the first half as the visitors dominated, but the long trip took its toll on their fitness and the Cheetahs wilted in the second half. With the Cheetahs clinging on to a 20-19 lead, Fredericks went from hero to zero, being sin-binned for a high tackle on Leila Masaga and allowing Stephen Donald, who had been shaky all game, to kick the winning goal.