Currie Cup Preview: Round 10

 

The Golden Lions and Sharks will battle it out for the second home semifinal, while the Blue Bulls, Free State Cheetahs and the Pumas will go head-to-head for the last semifinal berth.

 

The Golden Lions have a slim advantage over the Sharks to finish in the top two on the log as they have a two-point cushion over the Durban side, but if they suffer a defeat and the Sharks win their match they will be displaced on the log.

 

The Blue Bulls, meanwhile, boast a two-point lead over the Free State Cheetahs and a four-point lead over the Pumas in the race for the last semifinal berth.

 

But fortunately for the Pretoria side, they will know exactly what they need to do secure their spot in the top four by the time they take to the field as they play the last match of the weekend.

 

The Eastern Province Kings will meet the Pumas in Port Elizabeth in the only match on Friday, and on Saturday the Golden Lions take on the Free State Cheetahs in Johannesburg, Western Province host the Sharks in Cape Town and the Blue Bulls go up against Griquas in Pretoria.

 

 

 

In Port Elizabeth the EP Kings will be desperate to register their first victory of the season, but they will face a determined Pumas side hunting a bonus-point victory to keep them in the race for a possible semifinal berth.

 

Coach Jimmy Stonehouse remains optimistic about the Pumas' chances.

 

"That is how teams have gotten into the semis before, so we hoping it happens to us," Stonehouse said.

 

"But we must end the season off with a victory."

 

The sides have been closely matched on attack this season, with the home team having scored one more try than the Nelspruit outfit, however, the EP Kings will have to defend like demons to keep alive hopes of a victory.

 

The EP Kings have only beaten the Nelspruit side twice in Port Elizabeth since 2007, with their last victory being in the 2012 First Division final.

 

EP Kings coach Carlos Spencer has made a few changes to his team, two of which were injury enforced as props CJ Van der Linde and Charles Marais were ruled out.

 

This resulted in BG Uys and Simon Kerrod being handed starts, along with lock Darron Nell and fullback Scott van Breda. 

 

His Pumas counterpart Stonehouse made only two changes to his starting team with flank Brian Shabangu and No.8 RW Kember replacing the injured Jaco Bouwer and Renaldo Bothma respectively.

 

2010 Pumas drew with Kings 36-36, Witbank

2010 Pumas won 46-28, Port Elizabeth 

 

Prediction: The Kings have been way behind the mark all season long. The Pumas have only recently started falling behind the pack after a strong start. This seems to indicate that the Kings perhaps do not belong at this level while the Pumas have the class and the desire to stay up in the top their – expect the Pumas to come roaring back with a 10 point victory.

 

 

Eastern Province Kings: 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Ronnie Cooke, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Tobie Botes, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Devin Oosthuizen, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Darron Nell (captain), 3 BG Uys, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Simon Kerrod.

Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Charl du Plessis, 18 Lizo Gqoboka, 19 Steven Cummins, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Jaco Grobler, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa

 

Pumas: 15 Coenie van Wyk, 14 JW Bell, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Justin van Staden, 9 Reynier van Rooyen, 8 RW Kember, 7 Brian Shabangu, 6 Corne Steenkamp (captain), 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Frank Herne, 1 Corne Fourie.

Replacements: 16 Francois du Toit, 17 DeJay Terblanche, 18 Frikkie Spies, 19 Uzair Cassiem, 20 Dylon Frylinck, 21 JC Roos, 22 Jerome Pretorius.

 

Referee: Marius Jonker 

Assistant referees: Christie du Preez, Tahla Ntshakaza

TMO: Jason Jaftha

 

 

 

The Golden Lions will enter their match against the Free State Cheetahs with the knowledge that they need a victory to shut out the Sharks for a home semifinal, while the visitors will be wary of the fact that a defeat will dash their semifinal hopes.

 

This should set the scene for a thrilling match-up. 

 

The Golden Lions have been better than their Bloemfontein counterparts on attack and defence this season, and the fact that they have won all their home matches this season will give them a psychological edge.

 

But their Bloemfontein counterparts won two of their four away games and came close to toppling the Sharks in Durban, which will inspire them at Ellis Park.

 

The Golden Lions lost their last home match against the Free State Cheetahs, but they won the four previous games at Ellis Park, which they will draw confidence from.

 

Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann made three changes to his starting team with flank Derick Minnie starting in a strong loose trio with Springbok Warren Whiteley, while Howard Mnisi will feature in the midfield.

 

The coach is clearly happy to have his regular captain back in the side.

 

 

Free State Cheetahs coach Rory Duncan recalled Springboks, lock Loodewyk de Jager, flank Teboho Mohojé and prop Trevor Nyakane following their return from national duty.

 

Bok prop Coenie Oosthuizen, meanwhile, has been withdrawn from the competition as he is a contracted Springbok.

 

The changes in backline saw the inclusion of centre JP du Plessis and wing AJ Coertzen.

 

2013 Cheetahs won 26-23, Bloemfontein

2013 Cheetahs won 30-29, Johannesburg

2012 Lions won 38-23, Bloemfontein

2012 Lions won 43-20, Johannesburg

2011 Cheetahs drew with Lions 25-25, Bloemfontein

 

Prediction: In terms of the magnitude of the game, this is a massive one and if any team can pull of a miraculous win it would be the Cheetahs. Both the teams are looking particularly good with their returning Springboks thrust into the setup, however there is the small matter of the Lions undefeated home record – this might well be the deciding factor as the Lions show to much class to beat the Cheetahs by an agonizingly small margin.

 

 

Golden Lions: 15 Marnitz Boshoff, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.

Replacments: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Willie Britz, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Mark Richards.

 

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Adriaan Coertzen, 13 Phillipus du Plessis, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Willie du Plessis, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Pieter Labuschagne, 7 Teboho Mohojé, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld (captain), 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 George Marich, 18 Henco Venter, 19 Neil Claassen, 20 Shaun Venter, 21 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 22 Maphutha Dolo.

 

Referee: Stuart Berry

Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Francois de Bruin

TMO: Johan Greeff

 

 

In Cape Town, log-leaders Western Province have already secured a home semifinal and the top spot on the log, but they will face a determined Sharks outfit.

 

Interestingly, the Durban side will know whether they could qualify for a home semifinal by the time they take to the field as the Golden Lions, who have an inside lane for the position, take to the field before them.

 

Regardless of that, both teams will be looking to continue their winning momentum in the lead-up to the semifinals after winning their last three matches.

 

This match will mark a repeat of last year’s final, which the Durban side won, and with the Sharks having won three of their last four matches against their opponents in Cape Town, they will enter the match with confidence.

 

Sharks assistant coach Paul Anthony is very wary of the strength of the Province team despite the changes.

 

"The one thing about Province is that they’re not beaten until they’re beaten," he said

 

"They have the incredible ability to exploit errors, if you look at their tries, they exploit their opportunities really effectively.

 

"They have very intelligent players so we can leave no preparation left untouched."

 

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee made wholesale changes to his team with prop Oli Kebble, lock Jurie van Vuuren and wings Devon Williams and EW Viljoen earning their first starts for the union. 

 

Kurt Coleman will start at flyhalf in what will mark his 50th Currie Cup cap.

 

Coetzee believes that the dominance in the game will be decided with the big men up front.

 

"The battle is going to be up front, both teams are good mauling sides," Coetzee said.

 

"It is going to be a battle of attrition when it comes to the Sharks, for us we have  Oliver Kebble coming back after a while and Tiaan Liebenberg who we need to make sure that we well covered from a forward perspective."

 

Sharks coach Brad Macleod-Henderson named Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach in the run-on team in his first Currie Cup match this season, while Sibusiso Sithole will start at centre and Tonderai Chavhanga on the wing.

 

Up front prop Matt Stevens and hooker Monde Hadebe will start in a new-look front row.  

 

2013 Sharks won 33-19, Cape Town

2013 Western Province won 17-13, Durban

2013 Western Province won 25-19. Cape Town

2012 Sharks won 43-27, Durban

2012 Sharks won 25-23, Cape Town

 

Prediction: When the team was announced out of Cape Town many people flung their hands up and declared it a Sharks victory – and that just might be the case. The Sharks are on a good run, just as Western Province is – or was. The 'new look' team will have none of the momentum and it is clear that Allister Coetzee is just expecting his back-up players to get some game time. Expect the Sharks to get their bonus point with a 14 point victory.

 

 

Western Province: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 EW Viljoen, 13 Pat Howard, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 3 Brok Harris (captain), 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Oliver Kebble.

Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Gavin Annandale, 19 Anton van Zyl, 20 Patrick O'Brien, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Chevandre van Schoor.

 

Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Lubabalo  Mtembu (captain), 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais. 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 JC Astle, 20 Khaya Majola, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Fred Zeilinga.

 

Referee: Jaco Peyper

Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Marc van Zyl

TMO: Shaun Veldsman

 

 

In Pretoria the Blue Bulls are expected to be tested against Griquas who will look to build on their victory against the EP Kings and finish their season on a high.

 

The hosts, meanwhile, will have their sights set on cementing a semifinal berth and building on the winning momentum gained in their last two matches. 

 

Blue Bulls captain Deon Stegmann confirmed their determination.

 

"We had to fight hard and dig deep to get ourselves back into play-off contention.

 

"We are not quite there yet, so the job is far from finished.

 

"It will be our last match at home this year, so all is keen to go out with a bang. We are looking forward to this match. 

 

"I feel we are finally playing with some momentum and we are keen to capitalise on that.”

 

The Pretoria side have won their last 10 matches against the Kimberley side at their fortress Loftus Versfeld, which will boost their confidence going into the clash.

 

Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke made a number of changes to his team, which sees the return of Springbok wing Bjorn Basson and scrumhalf Piet van Zyl, while Junior Springbok William Small-Smith replaces contracted Bok centre JJ Engelbrecht.

 

In the pack Bok prop Marcel van der Merwe will start in a new-look front row with hooker Bongi Mbonambi and loosehead prop Morne Mellett. 

 

In the Griquas camp a spate of injuries forced coach Hawies Fourie to make a handful of changes to his team with PJ Vermeulen moving to centre and Jacquin Jansen starting at fullback.

 

Flyhalf Francois Brummer will lead the side in the absence of injured skipper Wayne Stevens. 

 

2013 Bulls won 52-10, Kimberley

2013 Bulls won 15-9, Pretoria

2012 Griquas won 49-34, Kimberley

2012 Bulls won 35-20, Pretoria

2011 Griquas won 48-44, Kimberley

 

Prediction: The Bulls have defiantly picked up some momentum going into the play-off and are looking a far better team than at the start of the competition. Meanwhile, the Griquas have shone every now and again, but with everything seemingly against them this weekend (team selection, venue etc.) it may be a tough day at the office as the Bulls look to be rampant in winning by about 18 points.

 

 

Blue Bulls: 15 Ulrich Beyers, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Jono Ross, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Deon Stegmann (captain), 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Morné Mellett.

Replacements: 16 Callie Visagie, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 19 Wiaan Liebenberg, 20 Rudy Paige, 21 Handré Pollard, 22 Jesse Kriel.

 

Griquas: 15 Jacquin Jansen, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Petrus Vermeulen, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Ederies Arendse, 10 Francois Brummer (captain), 9  Tian Meyer, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Jonathan Adendorf, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Jaco Nepgen, 4 Hugo Kloppers, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Simon Westraadt.

Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Wesley Cloete, 18 RJ Liebenberg, 19 Wendal Wehr, 20 Rudi van Rooyen, 21 Dean Grant, 22 Gideon la Grange.

 

Referee: Lesego Legoete

Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Sieg van Staden

TMO: Willie Vos