Preview: Currie Cup, Round Six
The undefeated neighbours, the Blue Bulls and the Golden Lions, have been the standout teams and also the two most entertaining sides.
Johan Ackermann's Lions are leading the standings on 25 points – having collected a full-house five points in all five their outings this season.
The Bulls are a solitary point behind.
The weekend's action starts in Port Elizabeth on Friday where the winless eastern Province Kings host a vastly-improved Free State Cheetahs team.
Saturday's early match will see another winless team, Griquas, host a struggling Pumas outfit in Kimberley. Although the Pumas have two wins to their credit, including beating the Sharks in week One, they have struggled to maintain their early momentum.
The third-placed Western Province, who are nine points behind the Lions, face the Sharks in Durban in the next outing – both desperate for some consistency in a season where promising victories have been soured by disappointing defeats.
Then, of course, we head to Pretoria for what may well be one of the best matches of the season.
We look at all the Round Six action!
Friday, September 11
Eastern Province Kings v Free State Cheetahs
(Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth – Kick-off: 19.10; 17.10 GMT)
Free State Cheetahs coach Franco Smith continues to rely on his youth brigade, even though he brought in Springbok loose forward Teboho Mohoje to captain the side.
Smith told rugby365 this week that he is expecting an "ambush" from the Kings in Port Elizabeth.
"We would be one of the games they have targeted to win," Smith said of the winless Kings.
"It also looks like it could be wet, so there are some factors we can't control, that is why we have to focus on our own game."
The Cheetahs mentor said it is vital that his team improves in key facets of the game – line-outs are better, the mauls and the scrums.
"Our goal is to ensure we get a win, away from home, against a team desperate to get their first win.
"In order to do that and ensure the conditions and opposition don't trip us up, we must focus on our own game and how we want to improve that."
EP Kings coach Brent Janse van Rensburg said despite five straight defeats the team is still fully motivated to knock over one of the tournament's big guns.
"Obviously this is a home game for us and we will go in with full intensity and application, and try to be as accurate as we can for the full 80 minutes," Van Rensburg said.
"In every game you have your chances, but we have had some soft moments this season, forcing us to play catch-up rugby at times, so we will be looking to change that."
Recent results:
2014: Free State Cheetahs won 37-22, Port Elizabeth
Prediction: At home the Kings have twice come close to victory – losing 13-15 against the Pumas and 20-24 to the Sharks. However, the Cheetahs seem to have too much class and their winning margin may well be into double figures.
Teams:
Eastern Province Kings: 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Siyanda Grey, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Tim Whitehead (captain), 11 Luther Obi, 10 Karlo Aspeling, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Steven Sykes, 4 Stefan Willemse, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Cornell Hess, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Dwayne Kelly, 22 Elgar Watts.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rayno Benjamin, 11 Cornal Hendricks, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Teboho Mohoje (captain), 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Burrie Uys.
Replacements: 16 Elandre Huggett, 17 Theunis Nieuwoudt, 18 Francois Uys, 19 Henco Venter, 20 Freddy Ngoza, 21 Ruan van Rensburg, 22 Sias Ebersohn.
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Jacques Nieuwenhuis
TMO: Christie du Preez
Saturday, September 12
Griquas v Pumas
(Griquas Park, Kimberley – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Griquas are desperate to get their first win of the season and move off the bottom of the standings.
However, they are not having much luck, with injury having ruled out bruising Springbok utility forward Hilton Lobberts.
The veteran Bok, who plays at lock and loose forward for Griquas, injured his shoulder against Western Province last week and is unlikely to feature again this season.
Add to that the injury of midfield stalwart Michael van der Spuy (hamstring) and the picture is looking bleak for the Kimberley-based outfit.
Coach Hawies Fourie said not only will his physicality be missed, but his workrate is another aspect that could have been invaluable against the dangerous Pumas outfit.
As a result of injuries Fourie was forced into a number of changes.
Springbok Sevens player Ruhan Nel has been moved from the left wing to the right, where he dislodged fellow Sevens specialist Sandile Ngcobo. Jacquin Jansen will run on the left wing.
Among the forwards Jonathan Adendorf gets a start in place of the injured RJ Liebenberg at flank, while Johan Wessels comes in for Lobberts at lock.
The Pumas have not escaped the injury curse – Francois du Toit in at hooker in place of Jacques Momberg (fractured finger), with prop Vincent Koch being 'rested' as he continues to battle a knee strain he picked while on Springbok duty.
Recent results:
2014: Griquas won 31-27, Kimberley
2014: Pumas won 33-15, Nelspruit
2013: Pumas won 33-15, Nelspruit (promotion/relegation match)
2013: Griquas won 21-19, Kimberley (promotion/relegation match)
Prediction: Don't bet your house on it, but you'll get decent odds on the Pumas to win – the margin likely to be in single digits.
Teams:
Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Jonathan Francke, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Jacquin Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Carel Greeff, 7 Jonathan Adendorf, 6 Johan Wessels, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Jaco Nepgen, 3 Stephan Kotze, 2 AJ Le Roux, 1 Steph Roberts
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Ewald Van Der Westhuizen, 19 Jonathan Janse Van Rensburg, 24 Wendal Wehr, 21 Dylan Frylinck, 22 Gouws Prinsloo.
Pumas: 15 Hoffmann Maritz, 14 Bernado Botha, 13 Jerome Pretorius, 12 Deon Helberg, 11 Rosco Spekman, 10 Justin van Staden, 9 Francois de Klerk (captain), 8 Jason-Colin Fraser, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 4 Rudi Mathee, 3 De-Jay Terblanché, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 Corné Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Frank Herne, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Marius Coetzer, 19 Jaco Bouwer, 20 Reynier van Rooyen, 21 Hennie Skorbinski, 22 Wilmaure Louw
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Pieter Janse van Vuuren
Sharks v Western Province
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 17.05; 15.05 GMT)
Western Province are looking to put their mid-season stumble behind them and ensure they keep their fait in their own hands.
After a two-match winning start to the season, Province suffered defeats against the Blue Bulls and Free State Cheetahs – which put them on the back foot in the race for the Currie Cup play-offs.
That is why coach John Dobson feels victory against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday is "non-negotiable".
Dobson, speaking at a media briefing ahead of their trip to Durban, said there is an "interesting" twist to the defending champions' Currie Cup draw this year.
"Out of six games [including this week] four have been away," the WP coach said, adding: "They have been at hard places – like Loftus and Kings Park. In the second half of the season we play teams like the Sharks and Lions away, but have the Pumas and Kings ate home.
"We don't have the benefit of a return match a home against the Sharks or Lions. We can't count on getting them back at Newlands. That is why we simply have to win this game, there is no other chance.
"We are competing with the Sharks for semifinal places and that is what makes this game so important.
"Despite the horror two weeks [away defeats to the Blue Bulls and Cheetahs], we still have our fait in our own hands."
The one advantage from Province, who trail the Lions by 10 points and the Bulls by nine, is that one of them will drop points in Pretoria when they play each other on Saturday.
"We still have to play them [Bulls and Lions] both. That is why it makes a win on Saturday even more non-negotiable if we want to host a semifinal."
Former Province stalwart Joe Pietersen, who has been moved from fullback to flyhalf, felt Province remain a really good attacking side.
"They have scored some good tries, mainly through their back three. However, they are also good defensively. It will be one heck of a game."
Recent results:
2014: Sharks won 28-20, Cape Town
2013: Sharks won 33-19, Cape Town (Final)
2013: Western Province won 17-13, Durban
2013: Western Province won 25-19, Cape Town
Prediction: Two teams who have struggled for consistency means form is not a good yardstick. Western Province look to have more class across the park and should win by eight points.
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Dave McDuling, 19 Christiaan de Bruyn, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Garth April.
Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Nic Groom (captain), 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Robert du Preez, 22 Kobus van Wyk.
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Sindile Ngcese
TMO: Willie Vos
Blue Bulls v Golden Lions
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-off: 19.10; 17.10 GMT)
It is fitting that the two most exciting teams in the competition are also well clear in the race for play-off places.
However, one team is set to lose and drop points (unless there's a draw of course) and that will open the back door for the chasing bunch.
No doubt this is the game of the weekend.
Bulls coach Nollis Marais told rugby365 his team's success is the result of their believe in themselves and the goals they have set for themselves.
"A lot of our focus this season has not so much been on winning, but more about what systems we want to put in place," Marais said.
He described the Lions as a "complete" team.
"We have played teams that had a strong scrum or a strong line-out, but they weren't as good on attack or defence.
"The Lions have it all – they are great in the scrums and line-outs, they can attack from anywhere and they are the team setting the pace in the competition.
"That is why, for us, it is important that our players believe that they can win."
The return of Springbok centre Jan Serfontein, for his first start of the season, means he partners with fellow Junior Bok Dries Swanepoel in the midfield.
Bok prop Dean Greyling added bulk to the pack.
The Lions have been buoyed the return from injury of livewire flank Jaco Kriel.
Recent results:
2014: Bulls won 36-26, Pretoria
2014: Lions won 41-13, Johannesburg
2013: Lions won 35-26, Johannesburg
2013: Lions won 62-23, Pretoria
Prediction: This is a tough game to call, but going with our theme of away wins for he weekend we will say the Lions will sneak it by five points.
Teams:
Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Pieter Labuschagne (captain), 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Rudolph Snyman, 19 Deon Stegmann, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Burger Odendaal.
Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Fabian Booysen, 7 Stephan de Witt, 6 Jaco Kriel (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Julian Redelinghuys, 18 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 19 Albertus Smith, 20 Jaco van der Walt, 21 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Sampie Mastriet.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Johan Greeff
Compiled by Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
