All eyes will be on Diamantveld High School in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon when the only 2 unbeaten teams left in the South Section of the Vodacom Cup clash in a replay of the 2012 final.
GWK Griquas, the defending champions, host DHL Western Province in a highly-anticipated clash at Diamantveld.
Both these sides are unbeaten after 4 matches and their performances have been very similar thus far, with a points’ difference of 69 for the visitors from Cape Town and 70 for the home team. DHL Western Province top the South Section log on 19 points though, with GWK Griquas 2nd on 18.
The high-flying SWD Eagles will be looking for their 1st away win of the season after already beating the Cell C Sharks XV and Toyota Free State XV in George, when they travel up the N2 to take on the EP Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Meanwhile, the Cell C Sharks XV, at home in Empangeni to the Boland Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon, will be looking to reverse a 3-match losing streak when they travel north up the coast.
In the North Section, the Xerox Golden Lions will retake the lead at the top of the standings if they can beat the Leopards XV at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
Current log leaders, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, have a BYE and can slip back to 3rd position if the Steval Pumas record a convincing victory over the Hino Valke at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday evening.
This week, we’re looking at former SA Under 20 speedster Sergeal Petersen, who is now with the Toyota Free State XV, after making his mark for the EP Kings. We also look at Xerox Golden Lions loose forward Ruaan Lerm.
Piet van Zyl
Jan Serfontein
Springbok halfback Piet van Zyl will earn a 3rd start for the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday when the Pretoria franchise play the DHL Stormers in Cape Town in a crucial Vodacom Super Rugby clash.
Van Zyl, who started against the coastal side in the season’s opener in February, comes in for injured Rudy Paige, while coach Frans Ludeke added another Springbok, midfielder Jan Serfontein, to his starting team at DHL Newlands.
The incumbent Springbok centre is fit again after a hip flexor injury and will start in place of Burger Odendaal, who deputised for Serfontein the last 4 Rounds.
The rest of the match day squad is the same one which conquered the Cell C Sharks in Durban last weekend, bar Akona Ndungane, who will take up Van Zyl’s spot on the bench.
The centurion winger will make a 1st appearance in this year’s competition if called into action from the bench. He earned his last and 108th cap in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition in the final pool match of the 2014 competition against the same opponent and at the same venue.
Ludeke is well aware of the massive challenge that awaits his side against the Stormers, who are just 2 points behind the Vodacom Bulls on the Combined Log and South African Conference Points Log.
Duane Vermeulen
Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen returns to lead the DHL Stormers in Saturday’s tantalising derby clash against the Vodacom Bulls, at DHL Newlands, Cape Town.
Vermeulen missed the final 2 weeks of the Stormers’ Super Rugby tour as part of the SA franchises’ rest agreement with SA Rugby, but his return marks 1 of 4 changes to the starting line-up that defeated the Western Force in Perth last Saturday.
2 Of the 4 changes are injury enforced, with Johnny Kotze and Pat Howard replacing the injured wing duo of Kobus van Wyk (knee – 6 weeks) and Dillyn Leyds (shoulder – 1 week), respectively. Howard will make his Super Rugby debut, with Kotze set to win his 6th cap.
Nizaam Carr moves to the bench to make way for Vermeulen’s expected return to action, whilst the 4th and final change sees Nic Groom take over at scrumhalf from Louis Schreuder, who, like Carr, reverts to the bench.
Joining Carr and Schreuder amongst the replacements is prop Oli Kebble, with Alistair Vermaak and Sikhumbuzo Notshe out of the matchday 23 and back to doing duty for the Western Province Vodacom Cup team this weekend.
Emirates Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has announced his team for Saturday’s clash against the Toyota Cheetahs at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg.
Ackermann has made just 3 changes to the starting side which beat the Cell C Sharks a fortnight ago.
In the forwards, Armand “Akker” van der Merwe will start at hooker while Ruan Dreyer has been drafted in at tighthead prop.
The backline sees just 1 change, with Courtnall Skosan starting at left wing, having recovered from injury.
On the bench, MB Lusaseni also moves into the match day 23, having recovered from his long-term injury. This is his 1st inclusion in the 2015 competition.
Unfortunately Derick Minnie drops out of the match day 23 as a result of an injury he sustained during Tuesday’s training session. Minnie has undergone surgery on his knee and will unfortunately be out of action for the remainder of the season.
Matt Hodgson
Wallaby flank, and inspirational captain, Matt Hodgson will make his long awaited return to Super Rugby for the Western Force when he runs out against the Chiefs on Friday.
Hodgson, a massive part of the Force’s successful season last year, has not made an appearance in 2015 due to a hamstring injury suffered in a pre-season fixture against the Asia Pacific Dragons.
The Force skipper will return to his familiar openside flank position and join No 8 Ben McCalman and blindside flank Angus Cottrell in a loose forward combination that started in 11 of 16 matches during the 2014 season.
A foot injury to interim captain Sam Wykes sees Steve Mafi shift from side of the scrum into the second row.
In the backline, Ian Prior will start his 1st match of 2015, replacing scrumhalf Alby Mathewson, who has been sidelined with a knee injury.
On the bench, Cottelsoe scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens is in line to make his Super Rugby debut after a knee injury – requiring a reconstruction – scuppered his 2014 season.
Flank Kane Koteka makes his return after being rested against the Stormers following concussion, while big lock Wilhelm Steenkamp will also start from the Western Force reserves list.
Prop Pek Cowan is also set to become the 2nd player to play 100 Super Rugby matches for the Western Force, when he runs out against the Chiefs.
Ryan Crotty
Crudsaders Head coach Todd Blackadder has made 4 changes to last week’s starting line-up, including a return for All Black centre Ryan Crotty.
In the forward pack, Codie Taylor and Ben Funnell have rotated so that Taylor starts at hooker this week, as have Owen Franks and Nepo Laulala, with Franks starting at tighthead.
Mitchell Drummond will start at scrumhalf with Andy Ellis moving to the bench.
Crotty has recovered from a head knock and will start at outside centre, with Kieron Fonotia ready to provide some impact from the bench.
Blackadder says the overall squad is largely unchanged from last week, in a showing of faith from the coaches that these players can do the job.
James Marshall
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd won’t be resting any All Blacks ahead of his team’s clash with the Reds in Brisbane this Sunday.
Boyd has kept the line-up almost identical to that which faced the Waratahs last week, however, a calf injury to Nehe Milner-Skudder has left him out of selection contention, making way for James Marshall at fullback.
Matt Proctor also comes back into the starting line-up, with Cory Jane moving to the bench.
Victor Vito (calf), Dane Coles (elbow), and Blade Thomson (concussion), remain on the injury list.
Hurricanes’ flyhalf Beauden Barrett needs 2 points to surpass David Holwell’s record of 676, and become the team’s all-time leading point-scorer.
Dave Dennis
Head coach Michael Cheika has made a number of changes to the Waratahs team to take on the Melbourne Rebels at ANZ Stadium on Anzac Day.
Captain Dave Dennis moves to the No 8 role, while Wycliff Palu will start on the bench.
Mitchell Chapman moves into his role at lock and Tatafu Polota-Nau returns to the starting line-up.
Peter Betham keeps his place on the right wing ahead of Taqele Naiyaravoro, after this week announcing his move to England to join Leicester Tigers.
Adam Ashley-Cooper makes his 2nd start since returning from injury at outside centre.
Dom Shipperley
Melbourne Rebels head coach Tony McGahan has re-introduced Sam Jeffries and Dom Shipperley into the squad, as he named his team to face the Waratahs at ANZ Stadium on Saturday in a clash which will commemorate the centenary of the Anzac landing.
Wallaby Shipperley returns to the starting line-up, while his Melbourne University teammate in second rower Sam Jeffries replacing Luke Jones in the squad, with Cadeyrn Neville elevated to start.
Jones developed concussion symptoms after the win in Canberra against the Brumbies last weekend, and the Rebels have opted to leave him out of the team as a precautionary method.
McGahan said that it was pleasing to be able to draw upon players with match fitness and form when changes were made.
Keven Mealamu
Keven Mealamu has been handed the Blues’ captaincy in the absence of regular skipper Jerome Kaino.
The veteran hooker, Mealamu, will lead the team out against the Crusaders in a Super Rugby Round 11 clash in Christchurch on Saturday.
Kaino has been given time out, as part of an agreement with the All Black management, after playing in 8 of the Blues’ 9 games.
He will be joined on the sidelines by fellow All Blacks James Parsons and Charles Piutau, who get their 1st break.
On the flipside props Tony Woodcock and Charlie Faumuina will join Mealamu in an all-All Black front row – boasting 260 Test caps and 383 Super Rugby games collectively between them.
Steven Luatua returns to play at No 8, with teenager Akira Ioane given a 2nd game after his impressive debut last week.
Jimmy Cowan returns to start at scrumhalf, with Lolagi Visinia at fullback.
Richard Graham
Reds Head coach Richard Graham has made 4 changes to his starting side, with injuries playing their part in a backline shuffle for when the Reds take on the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium.
Injury has forced 2 of the changes, with Curtis Browning (knee) and Karmichael Hunt (adductor) ruled out of the match after suffering injuries against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.
3 Of the 4 changes come in the backs, the injury to Hunt has forced veteran utility Lachie Turner from wing to fullback.
Chris Feauai-Sautia goes from outside centre to wing and Anthony Fainga’a is brought back into the starting side at inside centre.
In the forwards, recent debutant Adam Korczyk will make his starting debut at blindside flank, in place of the injured Browning.
Sam Carter
Brumbies lock Sam Carter will miss this weekend’s clash with the Highlanders following the death of a close family friend who tragically passed away last weekend playing for the Quirindi Lions.
The Wallaby lock’s family are still based in Quirindi and he will be allowed to return home for the funeral and for as long as he needs.
“At a time like this, rugby takes a back seat. From our point of view family is extremely important,” said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham told the Canberra Times.
“Player welfare is extremely important and it’s right for Sam and his family to be up there with the current situation.”
Blake Enever will replace Carter in the second row in Canberra.
2 South African brothers start for the Brumbies on the weekend, JP & Ruan Smith.
Steve Tew
The New Zealand Rugby Union said Thursday they had no plans to emulate Australia and relax eligibility rules so overseas-based players can represent the All Blacks.
The Australian Rugby Union announced the move on Wednesday in response to a host of top players taking up lucrative club contracts after this year’s September and October World Cup in England.
Defending World Cup champions New Zealand face a similar post-tournament exodus, with at least 10 All Blacks heading offshore – including Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Colin Slade.
But NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew said his organisation still believed that the only players allowed to pull on the hallowed All Black jersey should be based in New Zealand.
Lee Byrne
Newport Gwent Dragons’ former Wales fullback Lee Byrne has been forced to retire due to a shoulder injury, the 34-year-old announced on Thursday.
The former British and Irish Lion, who also played for Scarlets, Ospreys and Clermont, made his international debut in 2005 and went on to make 46 appearances for Wales, with whom he won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2008.
He joined the Dragons last year and was subsequently appointed captain, but after undergoing shoulder surgery in November, he has been obliged to call time on his career.
Brad Barritt
Saracens and England centre Brad Barritt has committed his future to the club signing a long-term deal at Allianz Park.
The 28-year old is the latest Saracen to commit his future to the north Londoners, following the likes of Marcelo Bosch, Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and George Kruis in signing contract extensions.
On signing his new deal, Barritt said: “I’m absolutely delighted to stay a part of the Saracens family. I consider this place home and I’m really looking forward to the years ahead with this fantastic club.
A government drive to boost participation in rugby in English schools is ill-conceived and risks children getting seriously hurt, public health doctors have warned.
Prof Allyson Pollock and colleagues at Queen Mary University of London say the contact sport is too dangerous.
They do not want an outright ban but say the sport must change and safeguards are needed.
The Rugby Football Union said steps had been taken to make the sport safer.
The Highlanders have made wholesale changes to their team to face the Brumbies in Canberra this weekend.
Malakai Fekitoa, Aaron Smith and Ben Smith are all rested as part of the agreement with New Zealand Rugby to rest All Blacks ahead of the World Cup, while there are also a number of changes in the pack.
Trent Renata comes in at fullback, with Richard Buckman joining Shaun Treeby in the centres and Fumiaki Tanaka taking over scrumhalf duties.
Up front, meanwhile, Pingi Tala’apitaga and Tom Franklin bolster the tight 5, while Joe Latta and Josh Renton are set to make their Super Rugby debuts off the bench.
Marty McKenzie
Marty McKenzie has got the nod to replace Aaron Cruden at flyhalf for the Chiefs, beating out younger brother Damian for a starting berth against the Western Force.
Cruden was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL earlier this week, dealing a major blow to the Chiefs’ Super Rugby hopes as well as ending his own World Cup dream.
The elder McKenzie will get the 1st chance to replace him as the Chiefs look to pile more misery on the Force.
There are 4 other changes, with Bryce Heem replacing James Lowe on the wing, while up front Siate Tokolahi and Johan Bardoul all to start.
Liam Messam is rested as part of the agreement with New Zealand Rugby, so Matt Symons will take over the captaincy for the Chiefs, who are currently just a point behind Super Rugby leaders the Hurricanes.
The BlitzBokke have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming Glasgow leg of the HSBS Sevens World Series as they face their toughest challenge yet in pursuit of being crowned World Sevens Series champions.
Neil Powell’s men hold a slender 4 point lead over Fiji on the overall log standings ahead of the Glasgow showpiece and he knows that the focus needs to remain on the task at hand and not the permutations regarding the overall Series.
It will not be an easy task though as they will have to get through a tough pool that sees them being drawn alongside 3rd-placed New Zealand, Samoa and Kenya.
“It is definitely going to be a tough pool – and tournament – but if you want to be the best in the world, you need to beat everybody. The key to our success will be to remain focused on our processes and to make sure we do the right things on the field. If we can do that, the result will take care of itself.
Kobus van Wyk
Hard-running Stormers wing Kobus van Wyk has been ruled out of action for 6 weeks, after picking up a patella injury against the Force last weekend.
Van Wyk limped off the field in the 29th minute of Saturday’s hard-fought clash in Perth and he will be unavailable until June.
Fellow wing Dillyn Leyds sat out training on Tuesday, but squad captain Duane Vermeulen – fresh off his 2-week rest period – rejoined squad training at the Stormers’ High Performance Centre in Bellville.
Dave Dennis
Waratahs captain Dave Dennis has signed a new contract with the ARU keeping him in Australia for at least 2 more years.
The 31-year-old who can play in both the 2nd row and the back row, has signed up through to 2017 as he looks to help the Waratahs retain their Super Rugby title.
Injury kept him out of the knockout stages of last year’s win, but Dennis has been in good form so far this season.
The fact he is staying will be a welcome boost for Daryl Gibson, who will replace Michael Cheika as Waratahs boss at the end of the season.
Toby Smith
Loosehead prop Toby Smith has signed a new contract with the Melbourne Rebels keeping him at the club until 2017.
The former Chiefs prop joined the Rebels in 2014 and has impressed since moving to Australia after winning the Super Rugby title with the Chiefs.
And he has now extended his stay for a further 2 seasons, with the Rebels currently enjoying their best season since joining Super Rugby.
The Australian Rugby Union relaxed eligibility rules to allow senior players at overseas franchises and clubs to represent the Wallabies.
The move, which is effective immediately, follows in the wake of recent revelations that Australia faces a mass exodus of stars after this year’s World Cup.
A host of players – such as Adam Ashley-Cooper, former skipper James Horwill, Will Genia and Sekope Kepu – are among those lured abroad by lucrative contracts in Europe and due to leave Australia after the World Cup in England in September and October.
Quade Cooper
Toulon have quashed rumours that they have signed Irish captain Paul O’Connell, but it is believed that the Reds & Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper has made the move.
It was reported that the French giants were chasing another Galácticos signing for the second row, with current legends Bakkies Botha and Ali WIlliams set to retire at the end of the season.
O’Connell’s contract with the IRFU expires in June of 2016, but it was speculated that Toulon were eager for him to be released from his contract to join them after the World Cup.
Since then, a strong statement has been released insisting ‘any alleged contacts between the player and the french club are pure speculation’.
Meanwhile, French paper L’Equipe has said that Toulon have captured the signature of the mercurial Cooper on a 2-year deal.
Cooper, if reports are to be believed, would join a burgeoning Australian contingent at Toulon with Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell already there.
Toulon have already brought in All Black Ma’a Nonu ahead of next season with Samu Manoa, Salesi Ma’afu and Napolioni Nalaga also joining the reigning European champions.
Mike Fitzgerald
Leicester Tigers have agreed a move for lock forward Mike Fitzgerald, who will join them from Super Rugby outfit the Chiefs in New Zealand.
Auckland-born second row Fitzgerald, 28, has won 2 Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs as well as playing ITM Cup rugby with the Manawatu Turbos.
At six-foot-five and 18 stone, he is noted for his hard work as well as a strong set-piece.
Junior Springboks (10) 31 / 24 (12) VC Dream Team (Final Score)
The Junior Springboks and the Varsity Cup Dream Team did battle in a special game
Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch at 18:30 SA Time (16:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Joe Pietersen
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has named his team to tackle the Lions in a Super Rugby clash in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Joe Pietersen has been moved from flyhalf to fullback, with Willie du Plessis given the No 10 jersey.
With both Willie le Roux and Coenie van Wyk out with ankle injuries, Drotske decided to move the versatile Pietersen to fullback.
The latest news is that Coenie Ooshuizen has also pulled out with a back injury and he has been replaced at tighthead prop by Maks van Dyk.
In other changes to the team that lost 18 / 17 at home to the Reds last weekend, Danie Minnie starts at loosehead prop, replacing BG Uys who is suffering from a back injury. Caylib Oosthuizen comes in on the bench as prop cover.
Tienie Burger replaces Heinrich Brüssow at flank after the latter broke his arm against the Reds. Carel Greeff will provide loose forward cover from the bench.
With Du Plessis promoted to the starting team, Clayton Blommetjies also comes in on the bench.
Allister Coetzee
The DHL Stormers are keeping their build-up to Saturday’s massive Vodacom Super Rugby derby against the Vodacom Bulls under wraps, with no open training sessions or press conferences scheduled until the team announcement on Thursday, but there shouldn’t be any secret to what the biggest selection dilemma will be this week.
To put it simply, coach Allister Coetzee needs to find a way to fit 4 inform Springbok loose-forwards into a winning loose trio. Up until the match against the Western Force, not all the loose-forwards were firing, as Nizaam Carr wasn’t repeating the excellent form that earned him a national call-up last year.
However, against the Western Force the No 8 hit his straps and regained his old confidence, delivering a busy and energetic performance that should have taken him close to the man of the match award. The Stormers were unlucky not to score a try off one particularly impressive run from Carr.
The problem for Coetzee, if you could call it that, is that skipper Duane Vermeulen has now completed his rest period that started when he travelled home at the halfway point of the 4 match overseas tour, meaning that he effectively missed 3 games in all as he was also rested for the 1st. Vermeulen should return to the back of the scrum for the Newlands clash, which will mean that Carr will have to be accommodated elsewhere.
Franco Smith
The Toyota Free State Cheetahs have offered Shimlas coach Franco Smith the job as head coach of their Currie Cup side.
Ryno Opperman, chairperson of the Free State Cheetahs Company’s board, confirmed the news.
The 42-year-old Smith was earlier contracted as backline coach of the Free State Cheetahs’ Currie Cup team, but after leading Shimlas to their maiden Varsity Cup title, the Cheetahs want to promote him to head coach.
“A written offer is being drawn up for Franco to serve as Currie Cup head coach from the 2015 competition,” said Opperman.
Willie le Roux
The Cheetahs have been dealt another blow with the news that Willie le Roux could face an extended period on the sidelines.
The Springbok fullback is suffering from an ankle injury, and it is reported that he could be out for up to 5 weeks.
Le Roux didn’t feature against the Reds last weekend as he was being rested, so it’s unclear when he suffered the injury.
His absence would be a major blow for the Bloemfontein outfit, which has already lost Heinrich Brüssow for the season to a broken arm.
Jason Woodward
After suffering their 1st defeat of the campaign, the Hurricanes have taken a 2nd blow as Jason Woodward’s season was prematurely ended by a broken ankle.
The outside back suffered the injury playing club rugby for Upper Hutt against Oriental Rongotai in Wellington over the weekend.
While the former Rebel has just 3 Super Rugby appearances to his name this year, his loss will be a blow to the depth of the Hurricanes’ formidable backline that has set the competition alight in the 1st half of the season.
Jerome Kaino
Blues coach John Kirwan is set to give his most prolific player, captain Jerome Kaino, a break when they head to Christchurch this week.
The Blues, with just 1 win from 9 starts, are 2nd from last on the Combined Log.
However, they have build some great momentum in recent weeks – their maiden season win (16 / 14) over the Brumbies was followed by a close loss (24 / 30) against Highlanders in Dunedin at the weekend.
It was the Blues’ 5th losing bonus point – for finishing within 7 points or less of the opposition – and indication that they are much better than their lowly position on the table suggest.
However, Kirwan won’t be tempted to push the All Black loose forward, Kaino, in another game – despite the desperate need or another win.
He knows they are faced with a massive hurdle in the form of an equally desperate Crusaders team in Christchurch on Saturday.
Aaro Mauger
The Crusaders, a few weeks after dishing out a performance that caused the Cell C Sharks to apologise to their fans, have now had to do the same.
It was Pat Lambie, and then Gary Gold, who publicly apologised to the Kings Park faithful for the Sharks after a drubbing received at the hands of the New Zealanders.
This time around, Crusaders assistant coach Aaron Mauger has said that it hurt to see people walk out of their game against the Chiefs last weekend.
Fans streamed out of AMI Stadium before the final whistle in their 9 / 26 defeat at the hands of the Chiefs.
Mauger said that, coupled with some angry posts on social media, really affected the team.
Peter Betham
Australia and Waratahs wing Peter Betham has agreed a move to join Leicester Tigers at the end of the Super Rugby Season.
The 26-year-old is currently playing Super Rugby with defending champions the Waratahs and on Saturday he scored 2 tries in Wellington as they became the 1st team to defeat the Hurricanes this season.
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Betham was brought up in Sydney and had spells with the Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels as well as with the Waratahs.
He made his Wallabies debut in a Bledisloe Cup fixture against the All Blacks in 2013.
Michael Hawker
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has announced a AUS $ 6.3-million loss for 2014.
Releasing its annual report for last year on Monday the ARU said it had achieved an underlying business surplus of AUS $ 700 000.00 but an overall deficit.
This, “in a year that focused on driving a sustainable future for the game, through direct grants to member unions and the delivery of national programs.”
The ARU said it would now seek feedback from rugby fans and stakeholders to “drive its next 5 year strategy and future investment at all levels of the game”.
ARU chairman Michael Hawker said the process to collate feedback is already underway, with CEOs of member unions and Super Rugby clubs taking part in a strategy workshop.