PREVIEW: Currie Cup, Round Four
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks and Golden Lions will look to stretch their winning runs to three matches in what marks the halfway stage of their pool rounds this weekend.
Both teams won their opening two games with bonus points, although they trail Western Province on the standings on points’ difference, and with the competition nearing the business end, the men from Durban and Johannesburg will be determined to remain at the top-end of the log for possible home semifinals. ”
The Capetonians, who are also unbeaten, have a bye this week.
We take a closer look at Round Four’s action!
Friday, September 7:
Sharks v Pumas
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 19.00; 17.00 GMT)
The Sharks will host the Pumas on Friday at Kings Park in Durban, where the visitors will look to end a losing run stretching over more than 22 seasons, and to bounce back from a 28-57 defeat against the Capetonians last week.
Interestingly, the men from Mpumalanga have scored more points than the Durbanites, but they will have to tighten up their defence, as they have conceded 37 more points in the same number of matches.
#OurSharks Centre, @JeremyWard_, who has been playing some great rugby since returning from injury, looks forward to implementing lessons learned from the past game and executing better when we take on the iCollege @pumasrugbyunion tomorrow!#OurSharksForever #SHAvPUM pic.twitter.com/jqlUiVI6zI
— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) September 6, 2018
Sharks coach Robert du Preez made only two changes to his starting team, with Luke Stringer and Aphelele Fassi earning their first starts, while Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe makes his first appearance of the season among the replacements.
The Pumas made three changes to their side, which sees Marko Janse van Rensburg, Hugo Kloppers, and Ruwellyn Isbel being drafted into the starting team.
The Sharks are coming off a hard-fought 33-29 win over the Free State Cheetahs last weekend.
“We focused on not disrespecting our opponents, but we were slow out of the blocks which gave Free State hope,” said Sharks tighthead prop John-Hubert Meyer. “But in the second half we stuck to our processes and that got us the result.”
He added: “The Pumas come off a big loss and will be hurting and will look at our performance against Free State and believe they have a chance against us.
“We’re expecting a really physical battle in the opening 20 minutes, so the forwards are going to have to front up and remove all hope from them in that early period of the game.
“We know they’re all about physicality from their pack, they’ll want to bully us. But if we can remove that threat, I think we have the team to win. Our forwards have mentally prepared well for this and with our scrums and mauls going so well in the first two weeks, we’re backing ourselves.”
Recent results:
2017: Sharks won 27-25, Nelspruit
2017: Sharks won 29-0, Durban
2016: Sharks won 33-10, Nelspruit
2015: Sharks won 27-26, Durban
2015: Pumas won 33-24, Nelspruit
Prediction: The Sharks will take this one by 15 points.
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Andrew Evans, 19 Wian Vosloo, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Curwin Bosch.
Pumas: 15 Gerrit Smith; 14 Niel Maritz, 13 Ryan Nell, 12 Hennie Skorbinski, 11 Ruwellyn Isbel; 10 Christopher Smith, 9 Stefan Ungerer; 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Replacements: 16 Frankie Herne, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel,18 Cameron Lindsay, 19 Francois Kleynhans, 20 Reynier van Rooyen, 21 Jeandré Rudolph, 22 Trompie Pretorius
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Graciano Pienaar
TMO: Christie du Preez
Saturday, September 8:
Griquas v Blue Bulls
(Griqua Park, Kimberley – Kick-off: 14.15; 12.15 GMT)
In Kimberley, Griquas will have their sights set on earning their first victory of the season when they host the Blue Bulls on Saturday, but they will expect a tough challenge from the visitors who come off back-to-back defeats.
The last time the Kimberley outfit defeated their Pretoria counterparts was in 2012, but with Griquas under pressure to win to remain in the semifinal race, they will not be short on motivation.
Griquas flanker, Wendal Wehr who has more than 50 caps for the Peacock Blues, sits down with 85 year old Uncle Bushy – Griquas “Best Fan of all Time”. pic.twitter.com/Vav3k9zbCQ
— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) September 6, 2018
Both teams made three personnel changes with Eital Bredenkamp, Enver Brandt and Andre Swarts being promoted to Griquas’ starting line-up, while Duncan Matthews, Franco Naude and Nick de Jager will all earn their first starts for the Blue Bulls, with Blitzbok, Dylan Sage, starting on the bench.
https://www.facebook.com/BullsOfficial/videos/1909793925992910/
“We are with our backs against the wall already and it is only week four of the competition,” Blue Bulls coach Pote Human admitted. “The defeat last week against the Golden Lions did hurt and it was a setback in our efforts to remain consistent and to find an upward curve in this year’s competition.”
The coach said the squad will have to face hostile opponents and a very patriotic home crowd in Kimberley, a venue where he coached a number of years himself.
Vodacom Blue Bulls Player Profile with Jano Venter
You could see Jano in action this weekend when the Vodacom Blue Bulls take on the Tafel Lager Griquas in Kimberley!#BullsFamily #GRIvVBB pic.twitter.com/s9cz3Av2Fc
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) September 5, 2018
“It is not the ideal fixture coming off a loss and looking for some confidence, but that challenge may just be what we need as a squad. The team is capable enough to go and win in Kimberley, but we need to execute, not give away silly penalties and finish the chances we create.”
Blue Bulls captain, Hanro Liebenberg, urged his team for an 80-minute effort.
“We did not do that in our previous two matches in Durban and last weekend at Loftus Versfeld. We have soft moments in our game that we need to get rid of if we want to return to winning ways. The lapses of concentration have cost us,” he added.
Recent results:
2017: Blue Bulls won 44-42, Pretoria
2017: Blue Bulls won 51-45, Kimberley
2016: Blue Bulls won 57-20, Pretoria
2015: Blue Bulls won 46-32, Kimberley
2015: Blue Bulls won 36-12, Pretoria
Prediction: It will be a tough game for the Blue Bulls, but we see them walking away with a win by 12 points or more.
Teams:
Griquas: 15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Kyle Steyn (captain), 12 Andrew Swarts, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Christiaan Meyer, 8 Conway Pretorius, 7 Sias Koen, 6 Eital Bredenkamp, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Devon Martinus
Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Ruan Kamer, 18 Wandile Putuma, 19 Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, 20 Zak Burger, 21 Christopher Bosch, 22 Tythan Adams.
Blue Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Franco Naude, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Duncan Matthews, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 7 Nick de Jager, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Ruan Nortje, 19 Jano Venter, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Dylan Sage.
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant referees: Jaco Kotze, Nico Schmahl
TMO: JJ Wagner
Golden Lions v Free State Cheetahs
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 16.20; 14.20 GMT)
The Golden Lions and Free State Cheetahs will battle it out in Johannesburg in the closing match of the weekend on Saturday, where the visitors will be desperate for a win after defeats in their last two outings.
The Free Staters may have won three of their last four matches against the Golden Lions, but with the team having scored far less points than the opposition, and conceding more in their first two matches, they will have to deliver a solid performance all around to earn a victory.
The Golden Lions team shows three changes with Pieter Jansen and Jacobie Adriaanse starting in a new-look front row, while Madosh Tambwe starts on the wing to allow Andries Coetzee a rest.
🎙Media Conference | #LIOvCHE
Coach Daan Human is excited to see Abongile in the starting lineup this Saturday against @LionsRugbyCo.Watch the game LIVE on @SuperSportTV 201. K.O⏰16:20 pic.twitter.com/7hVyGZ07uz
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) September 6, 2018
The Free State Cheetahs also opted for continuity in selection, with the only change to the run-on team being the inclusion of former Junior Springbok looseforward, Abongile Nonkontwana, who fills the void left by Gerhard Olivier’s call-up to the Pro14 squad.
Golden Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen said he was pleased with his side’s development in the Currie Cup so far.
“We are happy about the two wins. There was a lot of stuff we had to work on, so as long as we keep on moving forward in terms of player development and skill development that is our main focus point going forward,” he said.
There are still a few areas in their game where Van Rooyen is looking for improvement.
“I think a little bit more respect for the ball. I think we are losing a bit of ball, not due to pressure, but our own mistakes, so I think we need to be a little bit more clinical on attack. For defence, just sticking to the system and working hard,” he added.
Recent results:
2017: Golden Lions won 44-17, Johannesburg
2017: Free State Cheetahs won 30-24, Bloemfontein
2016: Free State Cheetahs won 55-17, Bloemfontein (semifinal)
2016: Free State Cheetahs won 37-29, Bloemfontein
2015: Golden Lions won 43-33, Johannesburg (semifinal)
Prediction: Golden Lions will take this one by 25 points.
Teams:
Golden Lions: 15 Sylvian Mahuza, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Len Massyn, 6 James Venter, 5 Marvin Orie (captain), 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Stephen Bhasera, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Bradley Thain, 22 Wandisile Simelane.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Adriaan Carelse, 14 Ali Mgijima, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Lloyd Greeff, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Rudy Paige (captain), 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Stephan Malan, 6 Abongile Nonkontwane, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Louis Conradie, 3 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Kevin Stevens.
Replacements: 16 Jannes Snyman, 17 Johan Kotze, 18 Luigy van Jaarsveld, 19 Nardus Erasmus, 20 Dian Badenhorst, 21 Vuyani Maqina, 22 Reinhart Erwee.
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Eduan Nel
TMO: Lesego Legoete
Currie Cup First Division
In the Currie Cup First Division the pressure is set to rise significantly with some teams also striking the halfway mark in their campaigns.
In George, the South Western Districts Eagles will be hunting their first victory against the Griffons since 2015 when the sides meet at Outeniqua Park on Friday.
However, they will enter the clash wary of the fact that all but one of their matches since 2014 have been won by no more than seven points. The men from Welkom, however, will be driven by their desire to earn their first win of the season after going down against the Falcons last week.
On Saturday, the Leopards will target their third victory in a row when they meet Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth, but with the hosts determined to bounce back from their disappointing 70-12 defeat in the opening round, it could be an exciting clash. The teams met in the competition for the first time in four years last season, and the Leopards registered a convincing 57-20 victory.
The clash between the Boland Cavaliers and Border Bulldogs in Bredasdorp also has all the ingredients to make it an exciting affair, with hosts determined to keep up with the top sides for a possible semifinal spot, while Border will be determined to avoid their successive third defeat. Boland won the last match between the sides convincingly, but Border beat them twice in 2015, which will give them confidence.
Currie Cup First Division Round Three fixtures:
Friday, September 7:
SWD Eagles v Griffons
Venue: Outeniqua Park, George
Kick-off: 18.00 (16.00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referees: Bulelani Naka and local appointment
Saturday, September 8:
Boland Cavaliers v Border Bulldogs
Venue: Glaskasteel, Bredasdorp
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant Referees: Viv-Richard Adams and local appointment
Eastern Province v Leopards
Venue: Wolfson Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 15.30 (13.30 GMT)
Referee: Paul Mente
Assistant Referees: Rodney Boneparte and local appointment
