Preview: Currie Cup, Round 10

The Free State Cheetahs and the Sharks will battle it out for the remaining semifinal spot in what is expected to be a battle-royale.

Unbeaten log leaders, the Golden Lions, are already assured of a home semifinal.

The Blue Bulls and Western Province are also through to the semifinals.

However, with only two points separating the Cheetahs and Sharks on the log standings, the two teams have everything to play for in what is effectively a quarterfinal.

The Cheetahs currently have 21 points and the Sharks 19, and both teams know that a victory will book them a semifinal meeting with the Lions in Johannesburg.

Meanwhile, the losing team will crash out of the competition.

Western Province and the Blue Bulls also have a lot to play for in their respective matches – a home semifinal their incentive.

The Bulls are second on the log with 34 points and they face the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium.

They know that a win, even without a bonus point, will be enough to guarantee them a home semifinal.

Pumas stalwart Marius Coetzer will earn his 100th cap when he takes to the field from the bench, while skipper Stefan Watermeyer will earn his 50th cap when they face the Bulls.

Western Province, in turn, face an injury-hit Eastern Province Kings side at Newlands.

They will run out knowing that a bonus-point win is a must if they want to keep alive their slim hope of hosting a playoff match.

However, for that to happen they must hope for a Bulls defeat in Nelspruit.

The free-scoring Lions will round off their league commitments with a home clash against the bottom-of-the-log Griquas at Ellis Park.

We look at all the Round Nine action!

Friday, October 9

Western Province v Eastern Province Kings

(Newlands, Cape Town – Kick-off: 18.00; 16.00 GMT)

Western Province take on the Eastern Province Kings in their last match before they reach the semifinal stage.

Kings coach Brent Janse van Rensburg called for a more consistent performance from his team after they gave away a 20-17 first half lead to lose 27-49 to the Bulls last week.

"We want to end on a high note," Janse van Rensburg said.

"I want the team to put in a good performance, to be competitive and to aim for a consistent display for the full 80 minutes.

"The players owe it to the fans and to themselves to end off strongly."

Province will be looking to close the league phase of the competition with a strong performance after they were torn to shreds by the Lions last weekend.

Fullback Dillyn Leyds has recovered from a groin injury and will wear the No.15 jersey.

However, Province coach John Dobson still has a number of injury concerns.

Wing Seabelo Senatla and centre Johnny Kotze are nursing slight niggles and have been rested this week.

Flank Chris Cloete, lock Ruan Botha and fullback Cheslin Kolbe are all not available for selection this week.

Hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni still hasn't recovered from his calf injury.

Scrumhalf Jano Vermaak has a groin strain and utility forward Rynhardt Elstadt is still injured with troublesome quadraceps.

Exciting Junior Springbok and Province Under-21 player Leolin Zass gets a first start on the wing, while Justin Benn and Jaco Taute will feature off the bench.

Juan de Jongh will again captain the side in the No12 jersey.

Ronnie Cooke will take over the Captaincy for the Kings as a result of injuries to senior players Tim Whitehead and Steven Sykes.

Cooke also replaces Whitehead at centre, although he will operate from the outside centre, with JP du Plessis moving to inside centre.

There are still injury concerns over Stefan Willemse, who replaces Sykes at lock, and wing Luther Obi.

However Kings coach Brent Janse van Rensburg said they were fairly confident the pair would be ready.

Recent results:

2014: Western Province won 49-14, Cape Towns

2014: Western Province won 35-16, Port Elizabeth

Prediction: Western Province will still be feeling the effects of the demolition they suffered at the hands of the Lions in Johannesburg last week. However there is still a home semifinal to play for, and the defending champions will be really focused on making sure they firstly beat the Kings, and if possible, with a bonus point. Province are a different prospect at home and they should win this match quite comprehensively.

Teams:

Western Province: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Juan de Jongh (captain), 11 Leolin Zass, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Jurie Van Vuuren, 5 Chris Van Zyl, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Oliver Kebble.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Jan De Klerk, 19 Justin Benn, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Jaco Taute.

Eastern Province Kings: 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Ronnie Cooke (captain), 12 JP du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi/Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Jacques Engelbrecht, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Stefan Willemse/Tazz Fuzani, 3 Simon Kerrod, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: 16 Martin Ferreira, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Basil Short, 19 David Bulbring, 20 Paul Schoeman, 21 Dwayne Kelly, 22 Karlo Aspeling.

Referee: Lesego Legoete

Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Stephan Geldenhuys

TMO: Christie du Preez

Pumas v Blue Bulls

(Mombela Stadium, Nelspruit – Kick-off: 18.00; 16.00 GMT)

The Pumas have made four changes to the side for their match against the Blue Bulls in Nelspruit on Saturday.

Coach MJ Mentz expects his team to give the Bulls a tough match.

"We know we are going to get a really physical onslaught from the Bulls," said Mentz.

"We have nothing to lose so we want to go out and play total rugby.

"Each and every guy in the team wants to play the best they can in this last match."

Hooker Francois du Toit will replace Frank Herne who shifts to the bench.

Lock Rudi Mathee will start in place of Marius Coetzer, while flanker Marnus Schoeman comes in for the injured Jaco Bouwer.

Fullback John-Wessel Bell is out injured, so Hoffmann Marnitz moves from centre to No.15, with Jerome Pretorius now at centre.

Bernado Botha will fill the gap on wing.

The Bulls will want to wrap up the match with a bonus-point victory to secure a home semifinal.

Flank Deon Stegmann returns to the starting line-up after he was a late withdrawal from the team that beat the Kings at Loftus Versfeld last weekend.

Recent Results:

2014: Blue Bulls won 37-6, Nelspruit

Prediction: The Pumas have played bravely over the past two weeks, loosing to Province 19-50 after dominating the first half of the match a fortnight ago, and also forcing a last-gasp 37-37 draw against the Cheetahs in Nelspruit. However the Bulls are a top-class unit and they should have enough class to win against the Pumas with a bonus point.

Teams:

Pumas: 15 Hoffmann Maritz, 14 Bernado Botha, 13 Jerome Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Justin van Staden, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Jason-Colin Fraser, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Rudi Mathee, 4 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 Corné Fourie.

Replacements: 16 Frank Herne, 17 De-Jay Terblanché, 18 Marius Coetzer, 19 Dylan Petersen, 20 Reynier van Rooyen, 21 Hennie Skorbinski, 22 Wilmaure Louw.

Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pierre Schoeman.

Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Steenkamp, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 William Small-Smith.

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Jaco Pretorius

TMO: Willie Vos

Saturday, October 10

Free State Cheetahs v Sharks

(Bloemfontein Stadium, Bloemfontein – Kick-off: 14.00; 12.00 GMT)

Free State Cheetahs are struggling to find consistency in their performances and they have made a number of changes to make sure they get a semifinal spot.

Loose forward Boom Prinsloo replaces Gerhard Olivier in the No.6 jersey, with Olivier moving down to the bench in place of Ruan van Rensburg.

Neill Jordaan comes in for De Wet Kruger at No.8.

Armandt Koster comes into the team in place of Reniel Hugo, who replaces Willem Serfontein on the bench.

Jacques du Toit returns at hooker, with Neil Rautenbach moving to the bench in place of Chase Morison.

Sharks Director of Coaching, Gary Gold, kept changes to a minimum when he confirmed his team.

Garth April starts at fullback, with Odwa Ndungane moving to right wing.

Wandile Mjekevu, who started at fullback against Griquas, is sidelined with an ankle injury.

As a result, Odwa Ndundane moves from fullback to right wing.

Recent Results:

2014: Cheetahs drew 30-30, Bloemfontein

2014: Sharks won 19-16, Durban

2013: Sharks won 33-22, Durban (Currie Cup semifinal)

2013: Sharks won 50-26, Durban

2013: Sharks won 18-15, Bloemfontein

Prediction: The Cheetahs are usually a very tough team to beat in Bloemfontein. However, the Sharks have an excellent record against their old enemies – having won four of the last five encounters – one ending in a draw. But the Sharks are no longer the formidable team that they were in previous seasons, however, the Cheetahs have made many changes whereas the Sharks have stuck to their winning combination. The Sharks will win a very tight match.

Teams:

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Burrie Gildenhuys Uys.

Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Teunis Nieuwoudt, 18 Reniel Hugo, 19 Freddy Ngoza, 20 Gerhard Olivier, 21 Ruan van Rensburg, 22 Niel Marais, 23 AJ Coertzen, 24 Willem Serfontein.

Sharks: 15 Garth April, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Dave McDuling, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Christiaan de Bruin, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Waylon Murray.

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Jaco van Heerden, Rico van der Hoven

TMO: JJ Wagner

Golden Lions v Griquas

(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 16.00; 14.00 GMT)

The Nel-brothers, Ruhan of Griquas and Jacques of the Lions, will line up opposite each other with both playing in the No.13 jersey for their respective teams.

Ruhan, a Springbok Sevens international, will play at outside centre for Griquas after playing on the wing against the Sharks last weekend.

This will be the first time they will play against each other.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann has opted to rest his regular stars, while the Van der Walt brothers, Jaco and Gerdus, will run out together.

Jaco will wear the No 10 jersey while Gerdus will play at inside centre, partnering with Jacques Nel in midfield.

Scrumhalf Ricky Schroeder will captain the team.

Prop Robbie Coetzee returns after a two week lay-off and is joined by Pieter Scholtz at tighthead.

Griquas will look to end their season with a victory after failing to secure one in the preceding nine rounds of the competition.

They will be bouyed by the fact that the Lions have made wholesale changes to the team that beat Province so convincingly last week.

Gouws Prinsloo comes back into the team at fullback in place of Ntabeni Dukisa who moves to the left wing.

Sandile Ngcobo moves from the bench into the No.14 jersey, replacing Danie Dames.

Ruhan Nel is moved from wing to outside centre, sending Jonathan Francke to the bench.

Sidney Tobias starts at hooker in place of Martin Bezuidenhout.

Recent Results:

2014: Lions won 46-8, Kimberley

2013: Lions won 35-28 Johannesburg

2013: Lions won 38-32, Kimberley

2012: Griquas won 37-21, Kimberley

2012: Griquas won 42-32, Johannesburg

Prediction: The Lions have already secured a home semifinal and have made some drastic changes to give their stars a rest. Griquas are a decent team, despite going winless through the opening nine rounds. With nothing to lose, and playing against a second string Lions team,  Griquas must be fancied for an upset win.

Teams:

Golden Lions: 15 Vainon Willis, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Gerdus van der Walt, 11 Mark Richards, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Ricky Schroeder, (captain), 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Fabian Booysen, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Martin Muller, 4 MB Lusaseni, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Dylan Smith.

Replacements: 16 Mark Pretorius, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Bobby de Wee, 19 Stephan de Witt, 20 Lohan Jacobs, 21 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Salom Gavor.

Griquas: 15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Sandile Ngcobo, 13 Ruan Nel, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Ntabeni Dukisa, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Carel Greeff, 7 Jono Janse van Rensburg, 6 RJ Liebenberg, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Jonathan Adendorf, 3 Stephan Kotze, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Danie Mienie.

Replacements: 16 Abraham le Roux, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Leon Karemaker, 19 Wendal Wehr, 20 Dylon Frylinck, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Jonathan Francke.

Referee: AJ Jacobs

Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Francois Pretorius

TMO: Johan Greeff

Source: Rugby365.com and @SaRugby