What former Bok coach NICK MALLETT had to say on SuperSport about the past weekend's Super Rugby matches involving South African teams.

DHL Stormers vs Bulls

'This was a wonderful game to watch. I really enjoyed the enterprise from both teams, combined with solid defence and the skills from the backline payers. It reminded me much more of two New Zealand teams playing than two old South African teams.

'The Stormers deserved to win, but there are a lot of positives for both teams. The Stormers played a fast-paced game, but with a very good set piece. They were disrupting the lineouts and exceptional at scrum time, which set up the attacking play they showed.

'The front rows were always going to make a big difference in this game. Unfortunately, the Bulls front row was murdered by the Stormers. The Stormers’ scrum dominance set up that unassailable 24-0 lead at half-time. Another area where the Stormers improved is at the breakdown. They were outstanding and just look like a much more rounded team.

'Handré Pollard referred to unforced errors after the game. I think the Stormers forced them into making those mistakes. The poor clearance kicks by Pollard, players losing the ball in contact and looking rushed when in possession, that all came from aggressive Stormers defence.

'It was an error-strewn performance by the Bulls, because the back got low-quality ball from the forwards. They will regret their start, but will reflect on the last 20 minutes and realise they can score good tries. They will just have to work on their set-piece.'

VIDEO: Highlights of Stormers vs Bulls

Cheetahs vs Lions

'There was enthusiasm and a willingness to attack from both teams. It just shows, though, that on a slightly slippery field and with much improved defences, attack is not getting the ascendancy. It was a stop-start attacking game because there were so many handling errors.

'From the Lions' point of view, the guys who went to Japan looked as though they were struggling in this game. Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies weren’t up to it. I know the field was a bit difficult, but they didn’t play their usual effervescent game. Warren Whiteley was a bit below his explosive and athletic self, and Franco Mostert was very low-key.

'I don’t believe players can play for 12 months in a row. I know the Lions retained their players by allowing them to go to Japan, but it would have been fantastic if they had an off-season and proper preparation. This is a long competition and these guys are going to get more tired and not fresher from now on. I’m very worried about the Lions players who didn’t have a break.

'The Cheetahs showed a lot more promise than they did last season. They showed enterprise, but again too many handling errors. Their execution has to improve. The Cheetahs managed to get a tighthead right at the last set-piece of the game, but kicked possession away. That wasn’t a sensible decision. If they had retained the ball and just recycled, they would have likely received a penalty and an opportunity to come away with a draw.

'There was a mistake by the officials which allowed the Cheetahs to lead close to the end, when they ruled that Andries Coetzee kicked the ball directly into touch. That could have been a key moment in this match. The Cheetahs got three points from that mistake and led. Luckiily the Lions were very fortunate that Ross Cronjé was able to construct that try with Rohan Janse van Rensburg at the end. It would have been disappointing for the match result to have depended on an incorrect decision by the officials.

VIDEO: Highlights of Cheetahs vs Lions

Kings vs Jaguares

This was a basement battle. There was a lot of enthusiasm, but not too may skills evident, although the Kings tried very hard. They made a lot of errors defensively and around the breakdown and the Jaguares built a score with all those penalties. And when the Kings did get into attack mode, they turned the ball over, even from a long way out, and scored some great counter-attacking tries.

But I’m glad the Jaguares didn’t let me down. They conceded two yellow cards at the end of the game just to keep up their disciplinary record.

There was such enthusiasm on attack, the moment there was a turnover, neither side managed to try and translate attack into defence. And you have to be able to make that transition as quickly as you can.

The Kings did score two great tries, so there were some positive signs. But you have to say their defence was poor. Chris Cloete and CJ Velleman were good when they came on and improved the defence.

VIDEO: Highlights of Kings vs Jaguares

Reds vs Sharks

Some defensive lapses cost the Sharks dearly in a game that was nip and tuck all the way through. I was left disappointed with the Sharks’ backline play. They haven’t embraced the 15-man game. They are still operating on a powerful pack, big ball-carrying forwards, the driving mauls, kicking for touch and trying to win like that. Every team has to adapt, as other teams work them out through analysis.

VIDEO: Highlights of Reds vs Sharks

Photo: Thinus Maritz/Gallo Images