Four games are played this weekend, one tonight and three tomorrow.
The games are:
Cheetahs v Griquas, 16 Jul 19:10 (SA Time)
Pumas v Leopards, 17 Jul 15:00 (SA Time)
Western Province v Lions, 17 Jul 15:00 (SA Time)
Sharks v Blue Bulls, 17 Jul 17:05 (SA Time)
Western Province have not conceded a home defeat to the Lions since 2005 and will aiming to defend this record when these sides meet up in week two of the 2010 Currie Cup at 15h00 on Saturday.
The hosts have recorded five victories over their opponents from Johannesburg during the last five years at Newlands. Former Lions lock Anton van Zyl who represented the Gauteng side in 33 games, will make his 50th Currie Cup appearance for WP against his former team.
The last time the Lions beat WP was in the last game of the round robin phase in 2009, when they secured a 27-25 win at Coca-Cola Park. Western Province did not concede a home league defeat in the Currie Cup last year.
History will also be on the side of The Sharks on Saturday when they host the Blue Bulls at the Stadium Durban at 17h00.
The defending champions have only achieved defeated their KwaZulu-Natal opponents twice during their last 10 fixtures. The last time the Bulls were victorious in Durban, was back in 2006 when they secured a 50-32 win over the Sharks.
These teams contested the Currie Cup final in 2008. On that occasion it was The Sharks who triumphed in their 14-9 win over the Blue Bulls in Durban.
The Free State Cheetahs will be aiming to record their first home victory of the season on Friday when they host the GWK Griquas at Park at 19h00.
Naka Drotske’s men lost their first match of the season, at home against Western Province last Saturday, while the team from Kimberley stunned The Sharks last weekend.
The Free State Cheetahs conceded two home defeats in their first two Currie games last season – one being against the GWK Griquas, and will be determined to secure their first win in 2010.
In the other Currie Cup Premier Division game of the weekend, the Pumas and the Platinum Leopards will battle it out in Witbank on Saturday at 15h00.
Both teams conceded defeats last weekend and will be aiming to record their first win of the season at the Puma Stadium.
Free State Cheetahs v GWK Griquas
Park, Bloemfontein. Kick off: 19h10 (Live on SuperSport 5)
Friday, 16 July 2010
Referee: Mark Lawrence (SARRA)
Assistant referees: Francois Groenewald (WP), Cobus Wessels (SWD)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (Boland)
Head to Head: Free State Cheetahs v GWK Griquas (since 2005)
Teams:
Free State Cheetahs:
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Louis Strydom, 9. Tewis de Bruyn, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Juan Smith (captain), 6. Hendro Scholtz, 5. Waltie Vermeulen, 4. Francois Uys, 3. Willem Petrus Nel, 2. Skipper Badenhorst, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen
Replacements: 16. Pieter-Willem Van Vuuren, 17. Kobus Calldo, 18. Barend Pieterse, 19. Kabamba Floors, 20. Tertius Carse, 21. Corné Uys, 22. Sias Ebersohn
Griquas:
15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Rocco Reginald Jansen, 13. Wilmaure Louw, 12. Barry Geel, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Naas Olivier (captain), 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Leon Karemaker, 7. Davon Raubenheimer, 6. Wesley Wilkins, 5. Cecil-John Kemp, 4. Frederik Albertus Spies, 3. Albertus Buckle, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Steph Roberts
Replacements: 16. Simon Westraadt, 17. Jacobus Petrus Adriaanse, 18. Zane Kilian, 19. Petrus Gerhardus Human, 20. Rohan Kitshoff, 21. Matthew Rosslee, 22. Richard Lawson
Free State Cheetahs’ recent form at home:
· Their first home game of the 2010 Currie Cup last weekend ended in defeat to Western Province last Saturday.
· The Free State Cheetahs won their last five home games in the Currie Cup despite losing their first two home games at Park during last year’s competition.
GWK Griquas’ recent form on the road:
· The visitors recorded away victories against Western Province, Free State Cheetahs, Boland Kavaliers and the Platinum Leopards during last year’s Currie Cup.
· The GWK Griquas only conceded away defeats against The Sharks and the Blue Bulls in the 2009 competition.
Player/ match stats:
· The Free State Cheetahs flyhalf Louis Strydom has scored 714 points in his 100 Currie Cup games to date.
· Winger Jongi Nokwe has scored five tries in four Tests for the Springboks.
· Hendro Scholtz will play in his 89th Currie Cup for the Free State Cheetahs on Friday.
· Juan Smith (flank) has represented the Boks in 62 Test matches.
· Skipper Badenhorst has played in 102 Currie Cup games for the Free State Cheetahs, The Sharks, Valke and the Pumas.
· GWK Griquas scrumhalf Tertius Carse could earn his 50th Currie Cup cap on Friday. He previously represented the Western Province, GWK Griquas and SWD Eagles.
· GWK Griquas flyhalf Naas Olivier, who previously represented Western Province and the Platinum Leopards, has scored 554 points in his Currie Cup career.
Western Province v Lions
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 15h00
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARRA)
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse (Blue Bulls), Marc van Zyl (WP)
TMO: Johan Meuwesen (EP)
Head to Head: Western Province v Lions (since 2005)
Teams:
WP:
15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Fabian Juries, 13. Tim Whitehead, 12. Paul Bosch, 11. Frikkie Welsh, 10. Willem de Waal, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Pieter Louw, 5. Anton van Zyl (captain), 4. Adriaan Fondse, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Wicus Blaauw
Replacements: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. JD Moller, 18. JC Kritzinger, 19. Martin Muller, 20. Pieter Myburgh, 21. Conrad Hoffmann, 22. Lionel Cronje
Lions:
15. Jaco Taute, 14. Deon van Rensburg, 13. Marius Delport, 12. Waylon Murray, 11. Michael Killian, 10. Herkie Kruger, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Warren Roger Whiteley, 7. Franco van der Merwe (captain), 6. Derick Minnie, 5. David Bulbring, 4. George Earle, 3. Ross Geldenhuys, 2. Martin Bezuidenhout, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg
Replacements: 16. Edgar Marutlulle, 17. Kevin Buys, 18. Trevor Hall, 19. Wikus van Heerden, 20. Chris Jonck, 21. Elton Thomas Jantjies, 22. Pieter Engelbrecht
Western Province’s recent form at home:
· The hosts only recorded one home defeat – an Currie Cup semi-final loss to the Blue Bulls – during last year’s competition.
· In 2008, Western Province suffered only one defeat, against The Sharks.
Lions’ recent form on the road:
· The Lions achieved two away wins against the Platinum Leopards and the Boland Kavaliers in the 2009 Currie Cup.
· The visitors defeated the GWK Griquas, Blue Bulls, Valke and Platinum Leopards in the 2008 competition.
Match/ player stats:
· Western Province lock Anton van Zyl will earn his 50th Currie Cup cap on Saturday. He previously represented the Lions in 33 games and will achieve his 17th cap for the Cape side against his former side.
· Western Province flyhalf Willem de Waal has scored 1233 points in his Currie Cup career.
· WP and SA Sevens star Fabian Juries has already scored 50 tries in the competition. (Mighty Elephants 39, Free State 7, Griffons 4).
· SA Under-20 centre Jaco Taute and flyhalf Elton Jantjies, who represented the Baby Boks at this year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina, were involved in the Lions’ victory over the Platinum Leopards last weekend.
· Lions centre Marius Delport played in his 50th Currie Cup game last Saturday after representing the Blue Bulls in 49 previous games.
· Former SA Under-20 flanker Rynardt Elstadt and flyhalf Lionel Cronje both made their debuts for Western Province against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last Saturday.
– Franco van der Merwe played in his 50th Currie Cup game for the Lions on Saturday.
· Jaco Peyper, who officiated at the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina, will handle this game featuring WP and the Lions.
The Sharks v Blue Bulls
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Kick off: 17h05 (Live on SuperSport 1)
Referee: Jason Jaftha (SARRA)
Assistant referees: Francois Veldsman (Boland), Reuben Rossouw (KZN)
TMO: JC Fortuin (WP)
Teams:
Sharks:
15. Louis Ludik, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Stefan Terblanche (captain), 12. Patrick Lambie, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Steve Meyer, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Keegan Daniel, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Alistair Hargreaves, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Wiehahn Jovan Herbst, 2. Craig Burden, 1. Pat Cilliers
Replacements: 16. Kyle Lorran Cooper, 17. Eugene van Staden, 18. Ross Skeate, 19. Skholiwe Ndlovu, 20. Rory Kockott, 21. Monty Dumond, 22. Andries Strauss
Bulls:
15. Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Stephan Dippenaar, 12. Stefan Watermeyer, 11. John Mametsa, 10. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9. Ruan Snyman, 8. Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7. Derick Kuun, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Fudge Mabeta, 4. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha (captain), 1. Dean Greyling
Replacements: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Bees Roux, 18. Bêrend Botha, 19. Christiaan Johan Stander, 20. Daniel Cornelius Faasen, 21. Francois Brummer, 22. Hayden Gareth Groepes
The Sharks’ recent form at home:
· The hosts have conceded only two home defeats during the last two seasons in the Currie Cup.
· Both defeats occurred last season, against Western Province and the Free State Cheetahs (semi-final).
Blue Bulls’ recent form on the road:
· The defending champions lost away from home four times in 2009 – against The Sharks, Lions, Western Province and Free State Cheetahs.
– In 2008, the Blue Bulls were defeated by The Sharks in the 2009 Currie Cup final in Durban.
Player/ match stats:
· The Sharks’ flanker Jacques Botes will play in his 97th Currie Cup on Saturday. He has scored 33 tries in his career in this competition.
· Fullback Patrick Lambie represented the SA Under-20s during this year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.
· The Sharks utility back Stefan Terblanche will play in his 90th Currie Cup game in Durban on Saturday. He also scored 19 Test tries for the Springboks.
· John Mametsa has played 130 games for the Blue Bulls since 2002 and has scored 41 Currie Cup tries in his career for the Loftus Versfeld side. He added 14 tries for the Blue Bulls during the 2007 season and scored a brace against the Pumas last weekend.
· Blue Bulls utility back Jaco van der Westhuizen has played in 32 Tests for the Springboks.
· Gerrit-Jan van Velze captained the successful Blue Bulls side who claimed the 2010 Cup. He also previously captained the SA Under-20s in 2008.
Pumas v Platinum Leopards
Pumas Stadium, Witbank. Kick off: 15h00
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Referee: Joey Salmans (SARRA)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (SARRA), Stefan Breytenbach (Pumas)
TMO: n/a
Teams:
Pumas:
15. Carl Bezuidenhout, 14. Shaun Venter, 13. Ashwin Scott, 12. Siviwe Wilmot Magaba, 11. Allistair Kettledas, 10. Elgar Watts, 9. Jacques Coetzee, 8. Christo le Roux, 7. Alwyn Bester, 6. Corne Steenkamp, 5. Marius Coetzer, 4. Eduan Van Der Walt, 3. Ashley Buys, 2. Hannes Franklin (captain), 1. Ronnie Uys
Replacements: 16. Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17. Dawie Steyn, 18. Willem Jacob Serfontein, 19. Jaco Bouwer, 20. Tian Carel Meyer, 21. Ricardo Croy, 22. Tiaan Marx
Leopards:
15. Russel Jeacocks, 14. Deon Scholtz, 13. Jovan Bowles, 12. Neill Jacobs, 11. Dumisani Matyeshana, 10. Clayton Durand, 9. Michael Bondesio, 8. Riaan Swanepoel, 7. Wilhelm Koch (captain), 6. Victor Hugo Joubert, 5. Rynard Landman, 4. Anthonie Johannes Gronum, 3. Philip Andries Lemmer, 2. Gavin Williamson, 1. Divan Kotze
Replacements: 16. Pellow van der Westhuizen, 17. Johan Coetzee, 18. Edrich Linde, 19. RW Kember, 20. Theo Clyde van Wyk, 21. Bernd Theisinger, 22. Hendrik Daniel Petrus Dames
Pumas’ recent form at home:
· The hosts were undefeated in Witbank during last year’s Currie Cup First Division competition.
· The Pumas suffered defeats to the Border Bulldogs, Griffons and the Platinum Leopards in 2008.
Platinum Leopards’ recent form on the road:
· The Platinum Leopards lost all seven away games in their Currie Cup campaign last year.
Player/ match stats:
· In 2006 Colin Lloyd equaled Carel du Plessis record of scoring 19 Currie Cup tries in one season.
· The Platinum Leopards’ Cecil Dumond is the brother of The Sharks flyhalf Monty Dumond.
· Philip Lemmer (Platinum Leopards) has achieved his SA colours in wrestling.
· Pumas winger Allistair Kettledas scored 18 tries in 2009 Currie Cup First Division, just one short of Colin Lloyd’s record of 19 in 2006.
· The Pumas’ Shaun Venter represented the Springbok Sevens during the 2009/ 2010 IRB Sevens World Series.
· Pumas flyhalf Ricardo Croy is the son of former Western Province League scrumhalf Richard Croy.
· The Pumas’ Hannes Franklin and Jacques Coetzee represented the Auto & General Lions during the 2010 Super 14.
· Western Province’s Stuart Berry will handle this game between the Pumas and the Platinum Leopards.