PREVIEW: Currie Cup, Round Two
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Defending Currie Cup champions, Western Province, the Sharks and the Golden Lions will be determined to make strong statements in their opening Currie Cup Premier Division matches this weekend.
Those three teams had byes in the opening round of this year’s tournament.
The Golden Lions and Griquas will meet in the first of three Currie Cup matches in Johannesburg on Friday, and on Saturday the Sharks host the Blue Bulls in Durban, while Western Province takes on the Free State Cheetahs in Cape Town.
The Pumas have a bye.
We take a closer look at all Round Two’s matches!
Friday, August 24:
Golden Lions v Griquas
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 19.00; 17.00 GMT)
At Ellis Park, the Golden Lions will be determined to get out of the blocks quickly against a Griquas team desperate to make up for their defeat last week, as home victories are essential with the competition playing out over a single round this season.
The last time the men from Kimberley won in Johannesburg was in 2012, but with the side set on correcting the wrongs of last week, and the home team playing in their first match, it could be a tight battle.
Newly-appointed Golden Lions coach, Ivan van Rooyen, named six players who featured in the Super Rugby Final in his matchday squad, while four Junior Springbok players who participated in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in the south of France were included. They are Manuel Rass and Wandisile Simelane (centres), Tyrone Green (wing), and utility forward PJ Steenkamp.
Griquas made two personnel changes and a positional switch to their team with Eric Zana (fullback) and Pieter van Vuren (lock) being drafted into the starting XV, while AJ Coertzen moves from fullback to wing.
“They [Griquas] always bring excitement, they want to play rugby,” said Van Rooyen.
“They are a good team, they have a good squad, so we must be on the ball. They’ve also got a good set piece.”
Recent results:
2017: Golden Lions won 34-17, Kimberley
2017: Golden Lions won 48-43, Johannesburg
2016: Griquas won 30-24, Kimberley
2015: Golden Lions won 29-19, Johannesburg
2014: Golden Lions won 46-9, Kimberley
Prediction: The Golden Lions will be too powerful for Griquas in Johannesburg. Lions to win by 18 points.
Teams:
Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Jan-Louis la Grange, 12 Manni Rass, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Ross Cronje (captain), 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Len Massyn, 6 James Venter, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 PJ Steenkamp, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Dillon Smit, 21 Tyrone Green, 22 Wandisile Simelane.
Griquas: 15 Eric Zana, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Kyle Steyn (captain), 12 Christopher Bosch, 11 AJ Coertzen, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Christiaan Meyer, 8 Conway Pretorius, 7 Sias Koen, 6 Wendell Wehr, 5 Pieter van Vuren, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Devon Martinus.
Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Ruan Kramer, 18 Wandile Putuma, 19 Eital Bredenkamp, 20 Izak Burger, 21 Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Andre Swarts.
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Christopher Allison
TMO: Lesego Legoete
Saturday, August 25:
Sharks v Blue Bulls
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
The Sharks and Blue Bulls will meet in a repeat of last season’s semifinal at Kings Park, and with the North Gautengers coming off a bonus-point win in Bloemfontein last weekend, the hosts will have to hit the ground running.
The Durbanites’ have won nine of the last 10 matches between the sides, although the one defeat was at home in 2015.
Chiliboy Ralepelle will lead a Sharks team featuring a mixture of youth and experience, with the halfback pairing of Louis Schreuder and Robert du Preez dictating play.
The Blue Bulls, in turn, made three personnel changes, which sees Springbok centre Jesse Kriel start in what will mark his 10th Currie Cup appearance. Hendre Stassen (lock) and Jaco Visagie (hooker) also earned starts.
We chatted to #OurSharks halfback, Louis Schreuder ahead of their opening @TheCurrieCup game against the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby at home. The team looks forward to taking the momentum gained from last weekends game into this weekends clash.
🎟- https://t.co/fq3fCwBcub pic.twitter.com/wYB0ENNor4
— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) August 22, 2018
Sharks scrumhalf Louis Schreuder believes that the importance of starting the Currie Cup well cannot be overstressed.
“It’s just one round with six games and the first is at home which we’re looking forward to, but we know we can’t afford not to win our home games,” he explains.
“We want to start well and after the warm-up game against Bordeaux, we are in a good place but know there is a massive challenge ahead of us this week against the Blue Bulls.
“The Bulls are a very good team, I think they’re going to be very competitive in the Currie Cup. We watched their game against the Cheetahs last week when they did very well in Bloemfontein against a strong outfit, a Pro 14 team.”
The Blue Bulls opened their Currie Cup campaign with a 32-12 win over the Free State Cheetahs last weekend and captain, Hanro Liebenberg, said they will focus on the positive start in Bloemfontein.
“We have a tough opening spell in the Currie Cup with away games in Bloemfontein and Durban to start with.
“We did well in Bloemfontein and that was good for the confidence, but if we don’t pitch up in Durban, it could be a step back again.
“So, we are pretty determined to apply ourselves and continue with the good work done against the Free State Cheetahs.”
Recent results:
2017: Sharks won 37-27, Durban (semifinal)
2017: Sharks won 18-5, Durban
2017: Sharks won 28-20, Pretoria
2016: Sharks won 26-19, Durban
2015: Blue Bulls won 17-13, Durban
Prediction: The Sharks have the luxury of picking a number of Springboks for this match and they are at home as well. The Sharks will win by 12.
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 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 Wian Vosloo, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Andrew Evans, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Aphelele Fassi.
Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Jessie Kriel, 12 Johnny Kotze, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Eli Snyman, 19 Jano Venter, 20 Raegan Oranje, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 JT Jackson.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Vusi Msibi
TMO: Christie du Preez
Western Province v Free State Cheetahs
(Newlands Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 17.15; 15.15 GMT)
In Cape Town, Western Province will look to make the most of their home ground advantage when they meet the Free State Cheetahs, who will see a victory as non-negotiable after going down in their opening match.
The Capetonians registered their first win in four outings against the Free Stater’s last season, and with home victories being vital, they are expected to come out firing.
Dillyn Leyds will captain Western Province, who has another young leader in their ranks in Junior Springbok and former SA Schools captain, Salmaan Moerat.
The 20-year-old will pair up with JD Schickerling at lock, while Josh Stander has been named at pivot with experienced scrumhalf Jano Vermaak by his side.
The Free State Cheetahs, meanwhile, made seven changes to their starting team, which features a new halfback pairing of Louis Fouche and Tian Meyer.
Fouche, Dries Swanepoel (centre) and Aidon Davids (No.8) will make their debuts for the team.
With rain expected in Cape Town on Saturday, Western Province head coach John Dobson is wary of the Cheetahs’ ability to control play in the wet weather.
“We played against the Cheetahs in the SuperSport Challenge in similar conditions and they were very sharp with their slow ball stuff and we are going to have to put more pressure on them to deprive them of ball, because they are quite good at keeping the ball in those conditions,” said Dobson.
“We’ve got a very strong pack and I think we got a lot of skill in the back three and that’s why Dillyn will help us cover at fullback because of the conditions we are expecting and if they come with a big kicking game. JJ [Engelbrecht] is also very good in the air.”
Recent results:
2017: Western Province won 57-14, Cape Town
2017: Free State Cheetahs won 30-17, Bloemfontein
2016: Free State Cheetahs won 32-25, Cape Town
2015: Free State Cheetahs won 28-21, Bloemfontein
2015: Western Province won 9-3, Cape Town
Prediction: It will be tight. Western Province will edge it by five points.
Teams:
Western Province: 15 Sarel Marais, 14 Jacobus Engelbrecht, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Dillyn Leyds (captain), 10 Joshua Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 John Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Allister Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Herschel Jantjies, 21 Dan du Plessis, 22 Sergeal Petersen.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Nico Lee, 11 William Small-Smith, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Oupa Mohoje (captain), 6 Jasper Wiese, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Güther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Erich de Jager, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Stephan Malan, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Ernst Stapelberg.
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Nathan Swartz
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
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