Preview: Vodacom Cup, semifinals

 

Of these four it’s only the Pumas, runners up in 2013, that haven’t won the Vodacom Cup. The Lowvelders caused an upset last weekend when they eliminated the defending champions, Griquas, in their quarterfinal in Kimberley.

 

The Golden Lions last won the last of their five Vodacom Cup titles in 2013, the three-time champion Blue Bulls’ last success was in 2010 and  Western Province lifted the trophy for the first and only time in 2012.

 

There will be extra incentive for Western Province when they host the Blue Bulls in the second semifinal on Saturday, as they will host the Final the next weekend should they progress.

 

However, should the Capetonians lose their first match of the season, the highest-placed team from the North Section will host the Final.

 

The Blue Bulls hold the upper hand in knock-out contests between these traditional rivals – they won both (in 2010 by 17-6 in Pretoria and in 2009 by 36-16, also at home).

 

In fact, the last time Western Province hosted the Blue Bulls in the Vodacom Cup in Cape Town, was way back in 2001, with the visitors winning easily by 41-10.

 

In total, they’ve met nine times with the Blue Bulls winning six and Western Province three. The Capetonians won the last encounter between these sides, by 16-8 in Pretoria in 2011.

 

The first semifinal is on Friday at Ellis Park in Johannesburg between the Golden Lions and the Pumas.

 

When they met earlier this year, the Johannesburgers won 24-16 in Nelspruit, outscoring the Pumas by three tries to one. It was the 16th time these two sides had met in the Vodacom Cup, with the Lowvelders having won nine time and the Golden Lions six.

 

However, the last five matches between the Golden Lions and the Pumas were won by the visiting team. This includes the last play-off encounter between these sides, when the Gautengers comfortably clinched the Final in 2013 by 42-28 in Nelspruit.

 

So while the Golden Lions should be favourites to retain their unbeaten record in 2015, recent history dictates that they should not underestimate the Pumas.

 

 

Best performance: Champions in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2013

Performance in 2014: Runners-up (lost to Griquas in the Final, 30-6)

 

Best performance: Champions in 2012

Performance in 2014: Lost in quarter-finals (13-8 to Pumas)

 

Best performance: Champions in 2001, 2008 and 2010

Performance in 2014: Lost in semi-finals (16-15 to Golden Lions)

 

Best performances: Runners-up in 2013

Performance in 2014: Lost in semi-finals (15-14 to Griquas)

 

 

 

        

 

·         

1998: Griquas

1999: Golden Lions

2000: Free State Cheetahs

2001: Blue Bulls

2002: Golden Lions

2003: Golden Lions

2004: Golden Lions

2005: Griquas

2006: Falcons

2007: Griquas

2008: Blue Bulls

2009: Griquas

2010: Blue Bulls

2011: Pampas XV

2012: Western Province

2013: Golden Lions

2014: Griquas