Thu, 20 Aug 2009

rugby365.com

So whilst AB is still patiently waiting for me to contact him in respect of getting some real people to make the predictions for us, we will use the plonkers at rugby365 to get us going.

 

The table-topping Griquas have lost their first match, but even with that monkey off their backs the pressure will not ease on the early pace-setters as the Currie Cup competition reaches the halfway mark.

With an impressive chasing pack of the Sharks, Western Province and Blue Bulls within just one win of the tournament leaders, the men from Kimberley are well aware that the collective targets on their backs are getting bigger.

And facing the second-placed Sharks this week, they could easily drop from first to third or fourth by the end of the Round Seven action.

The weekend’s action starts with the Blue Bulls hosting the lowly Leopards in Pretoria on Friday – with the Bulls virtually guaranteed a full-house of five points. Griquas have a far superior points difference to the Bulls, but that could change dramatically in the course of a 24-hour period.

The Free State Cheetahs, at this stage still well off the play-off pace, will be looking for their third successive win against the other team that has become a walking bonus point, the Boland Cavaliers. And with the game being in Bloemfontein, the Cheetahs will be determined to continue their revival.

Griquas and the Sharks will clash at the same time as the Cheetahs v Boland game on Saturday, before Western Province will tackle the Golden Lions.

There is no doubt there will be some dramatic changes in the standings, going into the halfway stage.

rugby365 looks at all the Round Seven action!

Friday, August 21:

Blue Bulls v Leopards
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 19.10, 17.10 GMT)

Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke was keen to talk up the Leopards as much as possible this week and it is the courteous thing to do – to show some respect for the opposition.

However, his team selection clearly reflects the quality of the opposition.

The Leopards, newcomers to the Premier Division, have been out of their depth. With the exception of the opening round, an eight-point loss to fellow strugglers Boland Cavaliers, they have been on the receiving end of good old-fashioned hidings.

All their defeats, bar the Boland game, have been by 20 points or more and getting progressively worse – with a 41-point deficit against Western Province and a 54-point hiding at the hands of the Cheetahs in the past three weeks.

Not surprising then that the Bulls coach, Ludeke, decided to give his younger fringe players a run – in the full knowledge that he would still be expecting a comfortable win.

Ludeke said at the team’s weekly press conference that the time is right for the youngsters to show what they’ve got and he is full of confidence that they will be able to utilise this opportunity.

“There are a number of the youngsters in the camp that are pressing for places in the starting XV and I believe now is the perfect occasion to give them a chance,” Ludeke said.

“They are all part of the system and have been working very hard during the last couple of weeks and I must add that they brought a great deal of positive energy to the team.”

For Emerging Springbok captain Dewald Potgieter, standing in for Derick Küun as Bulls skipper this week, feels it is important for the men in blue to build on last week’s one-point win against Griquas.

It may have been a jittery performance, with victory only coming in the final minutes in Kimberley, but those are the kinds of wins – in the context of the competition – that may well give the Bulls the confidence they seemed to lack in the earlier rounds.

“Last week we were under a lot of pressure because of our performances, that were not been good enough,” Potgieter said of a season that has seen the Bulls post a win-win-loss-win-loss-win record in the first six weeks.

“We identified the problems and hopefully we have now caught our second breath in preparation for the second half of the competition and get our confidence and momentum back.,” the Bulls loose forward added.

rugby365 prediction: The Leopards look a demoralised bunch, a team knowing they are out of their depth. Of course they have pride and they will keep trying – maybe even get some measure of confidence in the knowledge that a number of the Bulls players are as inexperienced at this level as they are. However, there is more than enough class throughout the Bulls squad – men like Springboks Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, Jaco Pretorius and Pedrie Wannenburg, along with the Emerging Bok captain, Potgieter – to ensure the home team takes the full five points. The Bulls by about 20 points.

Teams:

Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner; 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Jaco Pretorius, 11 Gerhard van den Heever; 10 Burton Francis, 9 Francois Hougaard; 8 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Fudge Mabeta, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Derick Kuün, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Jacques Burger, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Stefan Watermeyer.

Leopards: 15 Russell Jeacocks, 14 Jovan Bowles, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Basil de Doncker, 11 Danie Dames, 10 Clayton Durand/Cecil Dumond, 9 Theo van Wyk, 8 RW Kember, 7 Thabo Mamojele, 6 André Swanepoel (captain), 5 Edrich Linde, 4 Anthonie Gronum, 3 Barend van der Walt, 2 Gavin Williamson, 1 Divan Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Marthinus van der Westhuizen, 17 Philip Lemmer, 18 Rynard Landman, 19 Christo van Niekerk, 20 Michael Bondesio, 21 Clayton Durand/Cecil Dumond, 22 Muhammed Samaai.

Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Christie du Preez
TMO: Michael Cupido

Saturday, August 22:

Free State Cheetahs v Boland Cavaliers
(Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein – 15.00, 13.00 GMT)

The Cheetahs will be keen to continue making up lost ground, following their poor start to the season. Last week they posted 70 points against the winless Leopards and this week they will again be chasing a full-house five points and a substantial points difference.

Even though they are still well off the play-off pace – nine points behind the fourth-placed Bulls – another big win will ensure that they are making up some ground. It will also help build confidence in the team.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské spoke of “securing the win first”, but he is also well aware that his team looked a far more accomplished outfit when they opted for an expansive approach (last week) over the more conservative ‘kick-and-hope’ tactics that marked some of their early-season losses.

And he admitted that building up a good points differential now could come in handy later in the season as the play-off race goes down to the wire.

“The way things stand now, it is not inconceivable to see a number of teams in a closely contested race and then points difference could be a factor,” Drotské said.

Another important factor is that big wins will help with the team’s confidence, something that was clearly lacking in the first month of the Currie Cup competition.

“I am very happy with the momentum being built up amongst the players in the squad,” said Drotské.

“We want to end the first round on a high and that is why it’s important that we are victorious against the Cavaliers. It would be a bonus for us if we can score four tries and get that bonus point too.”

However, the one big threat is complacency, especially against a Cavaliers team that is always committed to the cause.

“We have focussed on that aspect [to avoid complacency] this week,” Drotské said.

However, a look at the two team sheets will tell you that the Cheetahs will start outright favourites – with bookmakers offering you only 10 cents to the Rand for a Cheetahs win. Or, to put it in perspective, they are giving the Cavaliers a 36-point start.

rugby365 prediction: Expect the Cheetah flyers, like Danwel Demas and Jongi Nokwe, to have a feast. A hat-trick or two is probably on the cards. The Cheetahs to win by at least 25 points.

Teams:

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Philip Snyman, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Frans Viljoen, 7 Kabamba Floors, 6 Johan Wessels, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3, WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 Jean Botha, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen, 19 Chris Dry, 20 Tertius Carse, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Corné Uys.

Boland: 15 Justin Peach; 14 Deon Scholtz, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Ernie Kruger, 11 Luvo Sogidashe; 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Danie van der Merwe; 8 Carel Hoffman, 7 Wendal Wehr, 6 Zolani Mofu, 5 Rito Hlungwane, 4 Nico Esterhuyse, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Clemen Lewis (captain), 1 Janro van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Harry Vermaas, 17 Jané du Toit, 18 Johan Roets, 19 Frikkie Spies, 20 Denzil Willemse, 21 Mark Harris, 22 Llewellyn Adonis.

Referee: Pro Legoete
Assistant Referees: Gareth Lloyd-Jones, Peet Badenhorst

Sharks v Griquas
(Absa Stadium, Durban – 15.00, 13.00 GMT)

One of the two key matches this weekend that will have a significant influence on the standings at the halfway stage of the season.

For Griquas it is important to move on from last week’s loss to the Bulls, their first of the season.

If anything, they can take plenty of heart from the result. It was not until the dying moments, when Griquas were reduced to 13 men, that the Bulls managed the winning score.

No doubt the Sharks will be a big step up from that – and Durban is not Kimberley – but Griquas coach Dawie Theron has confidence that his men can finish the first half of the season on a high.

“The players are definitely going flat out to remain at the top, as we have everything to play for,” said a confident Theron.

“Naturally we were disappointed after our defeat to the Blue Bulls, but we are determined to get back to winning ways this weekend.

“We are back at the drawing board and we will be working harder to win. The guys are positive and they have proved themselves by winning five out six matches.”

Theron described his team as “fighters”, who will not wallow in self pity after a defeat.

“If they were the kind of people who would just easily throw in the towel, then we would not be where we are right now.

“Yes, it was a hard defeat to swallow because there was just one point in it and two players received yellow cards at a crucial time, but we really want to fight back this weekend.

“The guys are hungry to get out there again and prove their spirit is not broken, they want to keep the respect of the country.”

He added that his team has looked at what cost them against the Bulls and will be determined to rectify their erroneous ways.

“We will need to improve in terms of our one-on-one tackling and our kicking game also wasn’t so effective last week, as we missed several attempts at goal. So we need to go back to our structures and get that right.”

The Sharks are well aware that they, also, will have to bring their ‘A’ Game, as Griquas have already accounted for the Cheetahs, Lions and Western Province this season.

Like Griquas, the Sharks have had one hiccup, with their having been in Week One.

The return of regular captain Johann Muller, who fractured his arm in that first round loss to Western Province, will add some stability at a crucial stage of the season.

“There are no more Boks [with the Tri-Nations squad heading to Australasia], so the group that we have now have to take us through four or five weeks of the Currie Cup competition,” Sharks coach John Plumtree said.

“So ultimately, this group will determine where we end in the Currie Cup. The challenge for this team is to do the same as the team last year.”

The big positive for the Sharks are the youngsters that have come through this year.

“We have a little bit more depth in the backs this year,” Plumtree said.

“Chris Jordaan has come through and played well, Lwazi Mvovo is stepping up, we have the Cronjé twins coming through from the Under-19 ranks last year.

“The generals like Andries Strauss and Riaan Swanepoel are doing their bit and then Stef [Stefan Terblanche in the rile of stand-in captain] is playing so consistently at the back.

“The forwards are where we are tested at the moment, we have to be careful with our front row.”

rugby365 prediction: This is the tough one to call. Griquas have a very real chance of an upset, but the smart money will always be on the Sharks at home. Griquas have proven qualities and will push the Sharks all the way, but in the end the home team will sneak a win. The Sharks by 10 points or less.

Teams:

The Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche (captain), 14 Chris Jordaan, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Monty Dumond, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Deon Carstens/Patric Cilliers.
Replacements: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Patric Cilliers/Deon Carstens, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Ross Cronjé/Rory Kockott, 21 Guy Cronjé, 22 Patrick Lambie.

Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Egon Seconds, 13 Jaco Bekker, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Jonathan Mokuena (captain), 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Jacques Lombaard, 4 Cecil Kemp, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Albertus Buckle.
Replacements: 16 Andries Kruger, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Nolan Clark, 19 Heinrich Stride, 20 Sean Plaatjies, 21 Trompie Nontshinga, 22 Gavin Passens

Referee: Phillip Bosch
Assistant Referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Johann Meuwesen

Western Province v Golden Lions
(Newlands, Cape Town – 17.05, 15.05 GMT)

Western Province forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot did not mince his words when asked about what importance of this week’s fixture.

With the congested nature of the standings, one defeat could be costly.

And two defeats earlier mean the men from Cape Town could so easily drop back into the chasing pack, even though they are currently in a relatively strong position.

The other important factor is maintaining momentum going into the second half of the season.

“This is a big game for us,” Proudfoot said, adding: “If you sit on 20-odd points at the halfway stage you have done well.

“No doubt this is a very big game, because if we can end the first half [of the season] with a win it will set us up nicely for the big three of the Sharks, Cheetahs and Bulls at the start of the second half of the season.

“In that regard this is a vital, vital game and our planning for the week has borne that out.

“We have spent a lot of time making sure all the boxes are ticked.”

The game has the same significance for the Lions, who have lost one more that WP.

As Lions flyhalf Herkie Kruger pointed out, it is also a big game for the men from Johannesburg.

“Our preparation have been top notch and we are determined to come away with a win against WP,” Kruger said of the trip to Cape Town, adding that while away games are always tough, they are going to give it a full go.

The Lions’ biggest shortcoming in the first half of the season has been an old ailment that has resurfaced – the team lacks the ability to finish off the opportunities they create.

Against the Sharks last week they had 70 percent of the possession and also dominated territory. However, they scored two of their three tries in the final 10 minutes, when they game was long over as a contest.

“That is one of the things we have to sort out quickly, the executing and finishing the opportunities we create,” Kruger said.

“We know you only get so many opportunities to turn possession into points and if you don’t use those chances you are going to lose games.

“That is one of the aspects we have worked on this week.”

Beating Province at Newlands is a tall order for any team, let alone a side struggling to find some rhythm.
 
“WP are always tough to play against, but I’m confident we are up for the challenge,” Kruger said, adding that the Cape Town side is longer just a team with creative backs.

“Yes, we will have to be wide awake among the forwards.

We will have to come to the party – we can’t hide from it, we’ll have to tackle them up front.”

rugby365 prediction: The Lions have lost too many senior players and with captain courageous, Cobus Grobbelaar, now also out, they may lack the substance to be a real threat at Newlands. The Lions will have their moments, but this should be a reasonably comfortable win for WP. Western Province by 10 to 15 points.

Teams:

Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Morgan Newman, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Adriaan Fondse, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Brock Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JD Moller, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Frikkie Welsh, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak (captain), 8 Todd Clever, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Johan van Deventer, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Ruan Boshoff, 22 Pieter Engelbrecht.

Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Eugenia Daniels
TMO: JC Fortuin