It is tough to imagine that the big north-south derby has become a sideshow, despite being a crucial match for both teams.
While the World Cup continues to hog the limelight, South Africa’s Currie Cup competition is moving towards the home stretch – Round Seven of 10.

And the match of the weekend is between the two most successful Currie Cup teams, Western Province and the Blue Bulls, will resume their fierce rivalry in Cape Town on Friday.

They are second, the Bulls, and third, WP, on the standings.

With just three rounds remaining, Province can ill afford another defeat – while the Bulls will be equally desperate after having suffered their first loss last week.

In the other clash on Friday, the Eastern Province Kings will look to add to their first win of the season when they travel to Nelspruit for their showdown against the Pumas.

Only two points separate the teams on the standings and the Pumas will be looking to secure their third win of the campaign.

The tournament’s pace-setters, the Golden Lions, will look to cement and possibly even grow their lead at the top of the standings when they host the Sharks in Johannesburg.

The Free State Cheetahs will also look to bounce back from their loss to the Kings last week when they host Griquas in Bloemfontein.

We look at all the Round 7 action!

 

Friday 18 September:

Steval Pumas vs Eastern Province Kings:

Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit – Kick-Off: 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT)

The Eastern Province Kings will look to build on last week’s impressive win over the Free State Cheetahs when they travel to Nelspruit for their showdown against the Pumas.

Only two points separate the Pumas and Kings on the standings and the Pumas are desperate to end their three-match losing streak.

Kings coach Brent Janse van Rensburg admitted that they will have their work cut out against a desperate Pumas outfit.

“It is always difficult in Nelspruit,” Janse van Rensburg said, adding that the Kings will have to operate as a unit.

“That win [against the Cheetahs] was very important for us, because it was reward for the hard work the players have put in and it will have helped our confidence,” the coach said.

“But we know, while we need to be confident, we cannot be arrogant because we will still have to work hard for any win and nothing will just fall into our laps.

“It will be physical and we’ll have to fight fire with fire.”

He also spoke of his team’s discipline – which saw them reduced to 14 men for most of the second half.

“We can be physical and get stuck in, but any other stuff is not acceptable.

“We need to ensure we have a clean record when it comes to discipline.”

Pumas coach MJ Mentz did not hold back this week, accusing some of his players of lacking mental fortitude and the desire to succeed.

“We are still not out of the running, because of the past weekend’s results,” Mentz said.

“Our goal remains to secure a top four finish and play in the semifinals. However, from now on every game is like a final to us.

“We have been working hard on the mental aspect of the game. We certainly let ourselves down in the last few weeks.

“There has been a lot of honest discussions and from here on the players must take responsibility for their performances on the field.”

Previous results:

2015: Pumas won 15-13, Port Elizabeth
2014: Eastern Province Kings won 26-25, Port Elizabeth

Prediction:

Back home the Pumas are always tougher to crack and the Kings may come down to earth with a bang. The Pumas should sneak an arm-wrestle by five points.

Teams:

Pumas: 15 Hoffmann Maritz, 14 Jerome Pretorius, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Stefan Watermeyer (Captain), 11 Rosco Spekman, 10 Justin van Staden, 9 Francois de Klerk (captain), 8 Jason-Colin Fraser, 7 Jaco Bouwer, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Frank Herne , 1 Corné Fourie
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Marné Coetzee, 18 Jannie Stander, 19 Uzair Cassiem, 20 Reynier van Rooyen, 21 Hennie Skorbinski, 22 Marcello Sampson.

Eastern Province Kings: 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Siyanda Grey, 13 Phillipus 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 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Cornel Hess, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Dwayne Kelly, 22 Elgar Watts.

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Willie Vos

 

---

 

DHL Western Province vs Vodacom Blue Bulls:

Newlands, Cape Town – Kick-Off: 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT)

At any other time this game will be a top billing – the two most successful teams in the history of the Currie Cup competition.

Despite the shadow of the World Cup hanging over it, it doesn’t mean this will not be as enthralling an encounter as so many of the previous north-south derbies.

Last month in Pretoria the Blue Bulls put their huge attacking potential on display in a 47-29 dismantling of the 2014 champions.

However, the Bulls are well aware that there will be an ambush awaiting them in Cape Town.

With three more pool rounds remaining after this weekend’s action, the teams will have their eyes fixed firmly on the four available semifinal spots, which will be staged on October 17.

Province coach John Dobson admitted the Bulls beat his team at their own game in their previous encounter.

“It’s always a challenge facing a form team like the Blue Bulls, but we have a bit of momentum back in our game ahead of such a big challenge against a form Bulls side,” the WP coach said.

“It’s always great being back at Newlands – especially for a North-South Derby – and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Bulls captain Pieter Labuschagne said it will take a mammoth team effort.

“For us to beat WP, we will have to play well as individuals as well as combinations,” Labuschagne said.

“Defence will probably have to win this for us, as WP remains the most attacking team in the competition,” Labuschagne added.

“We have some serious players on the bench as well, which will be important.

“This will take a 23-man effort to go down to Newlands and beat WP.”

Recent results:

2015: Blue Bulls won 47-29, Pretoria
2014: Western Province won 23-18, Pretoria
2013: Western Province won 29-18, Pretoria
2013: Western Province and Blue Bulls drew 24-all, Cape Town
2012: Blue Bulls won 26-13, Pretoria
2012: Western Province won 42-6, Cape Town

Prediction:

Sometimes, not often, these games are a blow-out. However, mostly they are brutal arm-wrestles. The Bulls, despite last week’s loss to the Lions, showed they are serious contenders for the Currie Cup trophy and should win by about five points.

Teams:

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 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Nizaam Carr , 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Demetri Catrakilis, 22 Kobus van Wyk.

Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Louis Fouché, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pieter Labuschagne (Captain), 7 Roelof Smit, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Rudolph Snyman, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Tian Schoeman, 22 Jan Serfontein.

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referees: Quinton Immelman, Lourens van der Merwe
TMO: Marius Jonker

 

---

 

Saturday 19 September:

Xerox Golden Lions vs Cell C Sharks:

Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg – Kick-Off: 14:30 SA Time (12:30 GMT)

The Lions have established themselves as the tournament favourites, but they have also showed periods of vulnerability.

A lack of discipline and shoddy line-out play were among the big concerns coach Johan Ackermann got after last week’s great escape against the Blue Bulls.

The Lions mentor admitted they will not always be so fortunate and will require “concentration for 80 minutes” when they host a dangerous Sharks team this week.

“It is a quality side,” Ackermann told a media briefing at the team’s base in Johannesburg.

“People may disagree with me, because they will look at the standings,” he said of a team sitting fourth – 16 points behind the Lions, with three wins and three defeats.

“We also haven’t lost a game, but if you look at how many players with Super Rugby experience they have – Thomas du Toit, Marco Wentzel, Ettienne Oosthuizen, Joe Pietersen and Jaco Reinach – then you see there is a lot of quality in that side.”

The Lions coach felt the Sharks were “unfortunate” in some of their previous games.

“We didn’t play well against them down in Durban, we know they will come out firing and it is a massive challenge for us, as it will be a big thing for them to come and beat us up here.”

As is always the case the Lions’ powerful scrum will be an important factor.

Sharks tighthead prop Gerhard Engelbrecht revealed that the Sharks have focussed on their set-piece work this week.

“This weekend will need a collective team effort from us,” the front row forward said.

“It’s that, rather than a step up at scrum-time against a very good Lions pack.

“It’s not so much that we aren’t performing, but we need to work together.

“We’re making small individual errors; everyone makes the effort, but not always all at once.

“This Lions team has been together for 18 months now, they’re a good solid unit while we’ve only been together for a couple of months; but we’ll get there.”

Recent results:

2015: Golden Lions won 31-16, Durban
2014: Golden Lions won 50-20, Johannesburg
2014: Sharks won 26-23, Durban
2013: Sharks won 31-25, Johannesburg
2013: Sharks won 33-25, Durban
2012: Sharks won 30-14, Durban
2012: Golden Lions won 28-22, Johannesburg

Prediction:

It may sound like a cliche, and maybe it is, but the game is still won and lost up front. That is where the Lions will have the edge – which will see them win by about 12 points.

Teams:

Xerox Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9  Ross Cronje, 8 Fabian Booysen, 7 Albertus Smith, 6 Jaco Kriel (Captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Lourens Erasmus, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ruan Dreyer
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 19 Stephan de Witt, 20 Jaco van der Walt, 21 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Antony Volmink.

Cell C Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso 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 Franco Marais, 1 Thomas du Toit
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Dave McDuling, 19 Daniel du Preez, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Garth April.

Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Assistant Referees: Francois Pretorius, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Willie Vos

 

---

 

Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs ORC Griquas:

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein – Kick-Off: 15:00 SA Time (13:00 GMT)

Griquas may have struggled this season, with their first win coming only last week in Round Six.

However, any game against their neighbours and Super Rugby franchise partners, the Free State Cheetahs, is like a red flag to a bull.

For the Cheetahs – in fifth place on the standings and one point behind the Sharks (in fourth) – victory is non-negotiable if they are to stay in the play-off race.

Not surprising then that Cheetahs coach Franco Smith was a touch apprehensive this week.

Not only will there be revenge on the Griquas minds (after the Cheetahs won 31-9 in Kimberley last month), but his own charges appear to have lost the momentum they had built up midway through the season.

Smith felt that his own team’s unexpected loss to the EP Kings and Griquas’ win over the Pumas last week will ensure the men from Kimberley have a lot more confidence.

“It takes a huge weight off when, after five successive defeats, a team wins,” Smith said.

“No doubt they [Griquas] will be throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us.

“No doubt they will be riding the crest of the wave and we will have to be at our best.”

Recent results:

2015: Free State Cheetahs won 31-9, Kimberley
2014: Free State Cheetahs won 34-27, Bloemfontein
2014: Free State Cheetahs won 36-25, Kimberley
2013: Free State Cheetahs won 40-20, Bloemfontein
2013: Free State Cheetahs won 52-21, Kimberley
2012: Free State Cheetahs won 35-20, Bloemfontein
2012: Free State Cheetahs won 29-16, Kimberley

Prediction:

This could be a very entertaining game, a real try-feast – which the Cheetahs could win by about 10 points.

Teams:

Toyota Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rayno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Francois Uys (Captain), 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 BG Uys
Replacements: 16 Theunis Nieuwoudt, 17 Neil Rautenbach, 18 Reniel Hugo, 19 Freddy Ngoza, 20 Zee Mkhabela, 21 Tertius Kruger, 22 Sias Ebersohn.

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 RJ Liebenberg, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Jaco Nepgen, 3 Stephan Kotze, 2 Abraham le Roux, 1 Steph Roberts
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, 19 Wendal Wehr, 20 Dylon Frylink, 21 Gouws Prinsloo, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa.

Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Jason Jaftha, Stephan Geldenhuys

 

rugby365