With only 2 points separating 4 of the South African franchises on the Vodacom Super Rugby log after 8 weeks of play, Round 9 of the competition will again be crucial for local teams, with the derby in Johannesburg between the Emirates Lions and Cell C Sharks set to attract huge interest from spectators.
The remaining 3 South African sides play Australian opponents on Saturday, with the DHL Stormers taking on the Waratahs in Sydney, the Toyota Cheetahs playing the Western Force in Perth and the Vodacom Bulls closing out a big weekend of rugby in their Pretoria clash against the Reds.
The DHL Stormers will be looking for a 1st tour win against the defending champion Waratahs, knowing that the home side has won 12 of their last 13 matches in Sydney, with a victory margin of 18 points per match.
The Toyota Cheetahs will still be chasing a 1st overseas win in 2015, when they close out their tour against the Western Force at the NIB Stadium in Perth. The Cheetahs have won at this venue in the past, but will have to defend like never before.
They average the most missed tackles in the competition, while the home side maintains the best tackling success rate (90%).
The Emirates Lions host the Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park in the only South African derby of the weekend, which is expected to be a fiercely contested clash. The home team is well aware that a win could push them into 1st place in the South African conference, albeit that the Vodacom Bulls could again overhaul them later in the evening.
The Cell C Sharks will be desperate to put their recent misfortunes behind them and win away from home.
The Vodacom Bulls take on the Reds, who despite not having the greatest of seasons, have a good record against the Loftus Versfeld team, winning 10 of their 16 encounters. The home team are on a 3-match winning streak at Loftus and will be keen to make it 4 in a row, as they have 2 away derbies lined up. Vodacom Bulls prop Trevor Nyakane plays in his 50th Vodacom Super Rugby match, with the first 42 of those having been in Toyota Cheetahs colours.
Waratahs vs DHL Stormers:
- Date: Saturday 11 April at 11:40 SA Time (19:40 AEST, 09:40 GMT)
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
- Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (New Zealand), James Leckie (Australia)
- TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)
Team news:
- Regular captain Duane Vermeulen has returned to Cape Town as part of the agreed SA Rugby rest period, which has resulted in the captaincy being taken over by Juan de Jongh.
- Nizaam Carr returns to the No 8 position in place of Vermeulen in a new-look loose trio, which sees vice-captain Schalk Burger pack down at No 6 and Michael Rhodes making his 1st start (at No 7) since picking up a knee injury against the Emirates Lions at the end of February.
- Siya Kolisi drops to the bench after 2 successive starts on tour and will be joined amongst the replacements by prop Vincent Koch, lock Jean Kleyn and utility back Huw Jones.
- Koch makes way for Frans Malherbe in the No 3 shirt – in what will be Springbok tighthead prop Malherbe’s 1st start of 2015. Kleyn comes in for Ruan Botha as the lock replacement and Jones reverts to the bench.
Stats:
- The Waratahs have won the last 2 meetings between the sides but have never won 3 games in a row against the Stormers.
- The Stormers have managed more scrum steals than any other side this season and have forced a lower success rate (74%) at the opposition feed than any other team.
- The Stormers enjoy a 50,8% winning ratio against teams from Australia, but only a 40% win ratio when playing them Down Under.
- Damian de Allende (29) has beaten more defenders than anyone else so far this season, with Waratahs fullback Israel Folau (26) 2nd.
- Both leading scorers for the teams this season, Bernard Foley (Waratahs) and Demetri Catrakilis (Stormers), have scored 68 points so far.
Quotes:
DHL Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee: “We have kept continuity in our starting team, whilst also selecting a bench that can make an impact, in what we believe is the best possible DHL Stormers team to take on the Waratahs this week. If you look at our bench, the likes of Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble, Vince, Jean Kleyn and Siya Kolisi can all make an impact as replacements, which gives us plenty of options. This was part of our thinking.”
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Dave Dennis (Captain), 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Benn Robinson
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Pat McCutcheon, 21 Stephen Hoiles, 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 24 Peter Betham, 25 Jono Lance (2 to be omitted).
DHL Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (Captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Huw Jones.
Head to Head (since 1998):
- Played 17 – DHL Stormers won 9, Waratahs won 7, 1 draw
- Points scored: 351
- Points conceded: 339
- Tries scored: 34
- Tries conceded: 33
- Average score: 21 / 20 to the DHL Stormers
Western Force vs Toyota Cheetahs:
- Date: Saturday 11 April at 13:45 SA Time (19:45 AWST, 11:45 GMT)
- Venue: nib Stadium, Perth
- Referee: Rohan Hoffman (Australia)
- Assistant Referees: Will Houston, Graham Cooper (both Australia)
- TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
Team news:
- There are 2 changes in the starting team. BG Uys will start at loosehead, with Danie Mienie moving to the bench. At scrumhalf, Sarel Pretorius takes over from Tian Meyer, who moves to the bench.
- It will be the 1st start on the overseas leg for Pretorius, who joined the team late as his wife gave birth to their 2nd child in the opening week of the tour.
Stats:
- The last time the Force hosted the Toyota Cheetahs, on 23 March 2013 the visitors won 19 / 10. The Force, however, won the last match between the sides, on 10 May 2014 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, 23 / 16.
- 6 Of the 8 encounters between the sides were decided by fewer than 10 points; each of those 6 games saw fewer than 40 combined points scored.
- It will also be the 4th time the teams meet at the nib Stadium in Perth since the 1st Perth encounter on 27 April 2007.
- The Cheetahs have lost their last 5 matches, and should they suffer a defeat it will mark the 1st time since the beginning of 2009 that they lose 6 games in a row.
- Sias Ebersohn, the Force flyhalf, played 30 times for the Toyota Cheetahs and scored 220 points for the team. He made his debut for the Bloemfontein team in 2010. He will play in his 50th match for the Force on Saturday. He shares the Toyota Cheetahs record for the most points in a match (26 against Lions, 2011) with Meyer Bosman (26 against Stormers, 2006). His 179 points (2011) is also a Cheetahs’ season point’s record.
- The 2 top try-scorers in the history of the Toyota Cheetahs will start on Saturday. Sarel Pretorius (25) and Willie le Roux (18) are playing scrumhalf and fullback respectively.
Teams:
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Kyle Godwin, 12 Luke Burton, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Sam Wykes (Captain), 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Oliver Hoskins, 19 Angus Cottrell, 20 Chris Alcock, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Marcel Brache.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Boom Prinsloo, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Francois Uys (Captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 BG Uys
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Tienie Burger, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Ryno Benjamin.
Head to Head (since 2006):
- Played 8 – Toyota Cheetahs won 3, Force won 5
- Points scored: 137
- Points conceded: 153
- Tries scored: 14
- Tries conceded: 16
- Average score: 19 / 17 to the Force
Emirates Lions vs Cell C Sharks:
- Date: Saturday 11 April at 17:05 SA Time
- Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
- Referee: Stuart Berry
- Assistant Referees: Jaco van Heerden, Rodney Bonaparte
- TMO: Deon van Blommestein
Team news:
- Julian Redelinghuys will start at tighthead for the Lions while Jaco Kriel also returns to the starting line-up at flank in the 2 changes upfront.
- There are 2 changes to the Lions backline with Faf de Klerk starting at scrumhalf and former Springbok Sevens player Mark Richards set to make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut on the left wing.
- Scrumhalf Lohan Jacobs will make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut should he come off the bench.
- There are 8 changes to the Sharks from last weekend, 3 forced by injuries and suspension. Pat Lambie, Kyle Cooper and Jean Deysel will be replaced by Fred Zeilinga, Franco Marais and Renaldo Botha respectively.
- A new front row will front up against the Lions with Dale Chadwick, newcomer Marais and tighthead Lourens Adriaanse packing together for the 1st time this year.
- S’bura Sithole makes his return to the team on the right wing in the other Sharks backline change.
- Marco Wentzel will be the 4th captain of the Sharks this year, following in the footsteps of Pat Lambie, Bismarck du Plessis and Jean Deysel.
Stats:
- The Lions have beaten the Sharks just once in their last 11 attempts, with their average losing margin being 15 points. That only win was in 2012 when the home side won 38 / 28 in Johannesburg.
- The Lions have won 4 of their last 5 matches this year, with all the wins by margins fewer than 5 points.
- The Lions have a 33% winning record against other South African teams at Emirates Airline Park.
- The Sharks have won just 2 of their last 6 away games, however both those away wins were in South Africa, in Bloemfontein and Cape Town. They have a 50% winning record away from home against South African teams.
- The Sharks prevented the Lions from scoring a try in their last 2 outings and 3 times in their last 7 clashes.
Quotes:
Emirates Lions coach Johan Ackermann: “We are playing with good discipline in recent times and I am pretty sure the players will keep on doing that. We have created a culture of responsibility in our group and players know what we expect from them. The best way to stay out of trouble is always to keep your focus on executing the gameplan.”
Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold: “Our performance this past weekend was unacceptable and we have taken full responsibility for the result and are determined to fix it this weekend. The Lions are playing some fantastic rugby and have come off a great tour. We are under no illusions about the toughness of the task on Saturday; however, in saying that, we have worked extremely hard this week and are determined to get our campaign back on track.”
Teams:
Emirates Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Mark Richards, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (Captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Derick Minnie, 21 Lohan Jacobs, 22 Marnitz Boshoff, 23 Howard Mnisi.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 S’bura Sithole, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Renaldo Bothma, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Marco Wentzel (Captain), 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Dale Chadwick
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Jack Wilson.
Head to Head (since 2006):
- Played 12 – Cell C Sharks won 10, Emirates Lions won 1, 1 draw
- Emirates Lions points scored: 195
- Cell C Sharks points scored: 350
- Emirates Lions tries scored: 17
- Cell C Sharks tries scored: 39
- Average score: 29 / 16 to the Cell C Sharks
Vodacom Bulls vs Reds:
- Date: Saturday 11 April at 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT, Sunday 03:10 AEST)
- Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- Referee: Jaco Peyper
- Assistant Referees: Quinton Immelman, Pro Legoete
- TMO: Shaun Veldsman
Team news:
- Flip van der Merwe returns to the field for the 1st time this year. The lock last played in the competition on 31 May last year, against the Emirates Lions. He will start off the bench.
- 2 Changes to the pack from last week see Callie Visagie and Arno Botha replacing Adriaan Strauss (rested) and Hanro Liebenberg (bench) respectively.
- Only 5 players – wings Bjorn Basson and Francois Hougaard, centre JJ Engelbrecht, flanker Deon Stegmann and Jacques du Plessis have started in all 7 Vodacom Bulls matches so far.
- Replacement hooker Jaco Visagie has done bench duty twice this year, but is yet to take to the field.
Stats:
- Prop Trevor Nyakane will play in his 50th Vodacom Super Rugby match, the first 42 were in the colours of the Toyota Cheetahs.
- The Reds have won 3 of the last 4 meetings between the sides, but lost their last 5 away games to the Bulls, including their heaviest Super Rugby loss of all-time, and the Bulls’ largest win (92 / 3 in May 2007).
- Coach Frans Ludeke will take charge of his 140th match as coach at this level (13 as Cats coach), extending his own tournament record.
- The Bulls have won their last 3 matches against Australian opponents, but still have a negative record against teams from Down Under (63 matches – 31 wins, 32 defeats for 49,2%)
Quotes:
Vodacom Bulls captain Pierre Spies: “The Reds are desperate to get their season going and teams like that are always dangerous. They have some classy players in their team and if they are on song on the day, they can destroy you in a blink. We will have to play all the big moments well, but will also have to force our style of play on them and dictate the terms. That will require commitment and discipline.”
Vodacom Bulls coach Frans Ludeke: “It is great to have Flip back. He does not only provide a physical presence and some real grunt up-front, he is also an important leader in the squad and with Victor (Matfield) out for a couple of weeks, his return could not come at a better time.”
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Pierre Spies (Captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Morné Mellett, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Hanro Liebenberg, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Jurgen Visser.
Reds: 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Anthony Fainga’a, 11 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 10 Nick Frisby, 9 Will Genia, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Dave McDuling, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Sef Faagase, 19 Marco Kotze, 20 Tom Murday, 21 Adam Korczyk, 22 Ben Tapuai, 23 Chris Kuridrani.
Head to Head (since 1998):
- Played 16 – Vodacom Bulls won 6, Reds won 10
- Points scored: 435
- Points conceded: 371
- Tries scored: 53
- Tries conceded: 46
- Average score: 27 / 23 to the Vodacom Bulls
Other Fixtures:
Friday 10 April:
- Blues vs Brumbies, Aucland at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST, 07:35 GMT)
Saturday 11 March:
- Crusaders vs Highlanders, Christchurch at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 07:35 GMT)
Byes:
Melbourne Rebels, Chiefs & Hurricanes