Currie Cup, Round 14 - Teams and Predictions
FRIDAY PREVIEW: The focus will be on third and fourth spots on the Currie Cup logs this weekend, as three teams chase semifinal positions, with lots of permutations at play as the league phase concludes.
An intriguing battle is on the cards between the Cheetahs and Bulls in Bloemfontein for first spot on the log, while Griquas, the Pumas and Sharks will fight it out for the two remaining semi-final places.
Going into the weekend’s round of crucial matches, holders the Bulls lead the standings on 47 points. They are followed by the Cheetahs in second on 43 points, Griquas third (31 points), Pumas fourth (27 points), Sharks fifth (26), WP in seventh place (15) and last-placed Lions (15).
The team from Johannesburg, however, have completed their 12 league fixtures and have a bye this weekend.
In the first of two Friday matches, Western Province host the Sharks from 16.00 (14.00 GMT) at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, with the home side fighting for pride and their KwaZulu-Natal opponents seeking a big win to remain in contention for the top-four.
The second clash kicks off at 18.00 (16.00 GMT) in Nelspruit, where the Pumas host Griquas. Any win for the Kimberley outfit will consolidate third place, while the Lowvelders must win and hope things go against the Sharks in Stellenbosch.
WP can have a direct say in who fills the two remaining play-off places, although they are out of the running themselves.
WP’s home match against Sharks at Stellenbosch will set the weekend’s important fixtures off, with the Capetonians determined to finish the season on a high after suffering nine losses in their previous 11 games. A look at the previous five meetings between these two coastal rivals sees them even at 2-2, with one match cancelled.
The KZN visitors won the previous encounter, in February this year, by 35-20 in Durban.
The Cape outfit finished on the losing side last week against Griquas (41-43) and will be hoping home ground advantage gives them the edge in Stellenbosch.
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Western Province head coach Jerome Paarwater said that his team will be aiming to finish their campaign on a high in Stellenbosch.
“The players are determined to show how much it means for them to play in this jersey and we will be giving it everything we have while also enjoying the experience on Friday,” Paarwater said.
“We want to finish strong and show what we are capable of, so it should be a great game against a strong Sharks side.”
The Sharks are desperate to secure the five points and no one understands it more than their head coach Ettiene Fynn.
The coach boosted his side with United Rugby Championship players following their defeat to the Lions.
Hooker Kerron van Vuuren, tighthead prop Khutha Mchunu, lock Le Roux Roets, No.8n Sikhumbuzo Notshe, scrumhalf Cameron Wright, flyhalf Curwin Bosch and wing Werner Kok have all been added to the Currie Cup side after the URC defeat to Bulls last Saturday.
“They add experience to the Currie Cup team,” Fynn said when asked about the changes.
“They add an element of leadership, especially having been there and done it.
“There is certainly pressure, but I’m sure we can expect a positive performance.”
He added: “Bosch is certainly on the up and he assured me he will deliver 100 percent.”
Shifting his focus to WP, Fynn said despite their current form, the Cape Town side are an incredible team.
“It is a quality WP outfit. I think all the Currie Cup sides were forced to play loads of debutants because of injuries.
“But they [WP] managed and have a lethal attack. They scored five tries in 30 minutes against Griquas, so we will try to limit their opportunities.”
Following that game, the Pumas will be hoping to build on their momentum from last week – when they pipped the Cheetahs by a point in Bloemfontein – in their crucial home fixture with their Northern Cape opponents.
These two have won two each during their five previous clashes, with the other game ending in a stalemate. However, the Peacock Blues won their last meeting comfortably by 41-20 in Kimberley.
Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse revealed that Griquas might be the favourites ahead of the clash.
“Griquas are probably the favourites,” Stonehouse told @rugby365com.
“They have good set-pieces and I think their plan will be to use their maul to gain the advantage.
“They will kick a lot and will try to put our wings and Devon Williams under pressure, so it is going to be a tough encounter.”
Stonehouse added: “This is the last chance for us to make the semifinal, so we need the five points.
“We have a slight advantage when it comes to home ground advantage.”
“And it will be a great encounter.”
Griquas assistant coach Barend Pieterse admitted it is always a difficult task to pip the Pumas.
“The Pumas are playing nice rugby at the moment,” Pieterse said.
“They have some magic at the back, physicality in the front and their set-pieces are running well, so they are always tough.
“I think it doesn’t matter where you play them, they are always a tough competitor.
“But we are up for it, the guys are excited and we can not have any excuses.”
Pieterse added the vibe in the camp is perfect ahead of the crucial encounter.
“The vibe in the camp has been amazing, especially after a massive comeback against the WP,” said Pieterse
“However, I don’t think the players are overconfident because we obviously know there is still a major job at hand.”
Friday, June 10
Western Province v Sharks
(Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch – Kick-off: 16.00; 14.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Sharks by 12 points
Teams:
Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Juan de Jongh (captain), 11 Ebenezer Tshimanga, 10 Tristan Leyds, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Shaine Orderson, 5 Ben-Jason Dixon, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Jacques van Zyl, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Leon Lyons, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 Mnombo Zwelendaba.
Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Murray Koster, 11 Werner Kock, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Celimpilo Gumede, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Kwezi Mona, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 OJ Noa, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Ben Tapuai.
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira, Local
TMO: Egon Seconds
Pumas v Griquas
(Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit – Kick-off: 18.00 16.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Griquas by three points
Teams:
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 Eddie Fouche, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Shane Kirkwood, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Kwanda Dimaza, 20 Andre Fouche, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Diego Appollis.
Griquas: 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Luther Obi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Stefan Ungerere, 8 Sibabalo Qoma, 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Niel Otto (captain), 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Johan Retief, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Simon Westraadt,, 1 Kudzwai Dube.
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Cameron Lindsay, 20 Werner Gouws, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 Fiela Boshoff, 23 Christopher Hollis, 24 Gustav du Rand, 25 Luyolo Dapula, 26 Reagan Oranje.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Sean Muller, Dylen November
TMO: Ben Crouse
