The Trans-Jukskei derby is the highlight of Round 6 and a sneak preview of a possible Currie Cup Final.
The undefeated neighbours, the Vodacom Blue Bulls and the Xerox Golden Lions, have been the standout teams and also the 2 most entertaining sides.
Johan Ackermann’s Golden Lions are leading the standings on 25 Log points – having collected a full-house 5 points in all 5 their outings this season.
The Blue Bulls are a solitary point behind, also winning 5 from 5 but won the last Round’s game without a bonus point.
The weekend’s action starts in Port Elizabeth on Friday where the winless Eastern Province Kings host a vastly-improved Toyota Free State Cheetahs team.
Saturday’s early match will see another winless team, ORC Griquas, host a struggling Steval Pumas outfit in Kimberley. Although the Pumas have 2 wins to their credit, including beating the Cell C Sharks in Round 1, they have struggled to maintain their early momentum.
The 3rd-placed DHL Western Province, who are a full 9 points behind the Golden Lions, face the Cell C Sharks in Durban in Round 6 – 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 1 of the best matches of the season.
Round 6 Fixtures:
Friday 11 September:
Eastern Province Kings vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs:
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth – Kick-Off: 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT)
Toyota 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 said this week that he is expecting an “ambush” from the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth.
“We would be 1 of the games they have targeted to win,” Smith said of the winless EP 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 Free State Cheetahs mentor said it is vital that his team improves in key facets of the game – lineouts 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 1st 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 5 straight defeats the team is still fully motivated to knock over 1 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
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 Vleis Engelbrecht, 21 Dwayne Kelly, 22 Elgar Watts.
Toyota 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 Oupa Mohoje (Captain), 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 BG 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 12 September:
ORC Griquas vs Steval Pumas:
Griquas Park, Kimberley – Kick-Off: 15:00 SA Time (13:00 GMT)
ORC Griquas are desperate to get their 1st 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, who plays at lock and loose forward for Griquas, injured his shoulder against DHL 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 Steval 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.
Amongst 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 Steval Pumas have not escaped the injury curse – Francois du Toit is 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)
Teams:
ORC 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.
Steval Pumas: 15 Hoffmann Maritz, 14 Bernado Botha, 13 Jerome Pretorius, 12 Deon Helberg, 11 Rosco Spekman, 10 Justin van Staden, 9 Faf de Klerk (Captain), 8 Jason-Colin Fraser, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Giant 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
Cell C Sharks vs DHL Western Province:
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban – Kick-Off: 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT)
DHL Western Province are looking to put their mid-season stumble behind them and ensure they keep their fate in their own hands.
After a 2-match winning start to the season, WP suffered defeats against the Vodacom Blue Bulls and Toyota 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 Cell C 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 6 games, 4 have been away,” the WP coach said, adding: “They have been at hard places – like Loftus and Kings Park. In the 2nd half of the season we play teams like the Cell C Sharks and Xerox Golden Lions away, but have the Pumas and Kings at home.
“We don’t have the benefit of a return match at 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 Cell C Sharks for semifinal places and that is what makes this game so important.
“Despite the horror 2 weeks (away defeats to the Blue Bulls and Free State Cheetahs), we still have our fate in our own hands.”
The 1 advantage of WP, who trail the Golden Lions by 10 Log points and the Blue Bulls by 9, is that 1 of them will drop points in Pretoria, when they play each other on Saturday.
“We still have to play them (Blue Bulls and Golden Lions) both. That is why it makes a win on Saturday even more non-negotiable if we want to host a semifinal.”
Former WP 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 3. However, they are also good defensively. It will be one heck of a game.”
Recent Results:
- 2014: Cell C Sharks won 28 / 20, Cape Town
- 2013: Cell C Sharks won 33 / 19, Cape Town (Final)
- 2013: Western Province won 17 / 13, Durban
- 2013: Western Province won 25 / 19, Cape Town
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 S’bura 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.
DHL Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 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 Demetri Catrakilis, 22 Kobus van Wyk.
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Sindile Ngcese
TMO: Willie Vos
Vodacom Blue Bulls vs Xerox Golden Lions:
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-Off: 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT)
It is fitting that the 2 most exciting teams in the competition are also well clear in the race for play-off places.
However, 1 team is set to lose and drop Log points this weekend, 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.
Vodacom Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais said his team’s success is the result of their belief 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 Xerox Golden Lions as a “complete” team.
“We have played teams that had a strong scrum or a strong lineout, but they weren’t as good on attack or defence.
“The Lions have it all – they are great in the scrums and lineouts, 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 1st start of the season, means he partners with fellow Junior Springbok Dries Swanepoel in the midfield, where they also played together for Grey College some years ago.
Springbok prop Dean Greyling adds bulk to the pack.
The Golden Lions have been buoyed the return from injury of livewire flank Jaco Kriel.
Recent Results:
- 2014: Blue Bulls won 36 / 26, Pretoria
- 2014: Golden Lions won 41 / 13, Johannesburg
- 2013: Golden Lions won 35 / 26, Johannesburg
- 2013: Golden Lions won 62 / 23, Pretoria
Teams:
Vodacom 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 Lappies 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 RG Snyman, 19 Deon Stegmann, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Burger Odendaal.
Xerox Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Stokkies 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 MB Lusaseni, 19 Kwagga 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