With the first half of the Currie Cup 2011 nearing its end, we’re still a little lost as to who the form teams really are. The Lions and Sharks have emerged as pretty good early season bets, although there does seem to be a disturbing trend of any team being able to beat any other on the day, making result predictions difficult. Let’s run the rule over the round 6 match-ups.
Blue Bulls v Griquas
A patchy win against the Pumas last week lifted the Bulls off the foot of the log, but with only two wins from five starts, they’re still way off where they’d like to be at this stage of the season. Griquas, in contrast, have played very well of late and are on something of a role after clobbering the Sharks and the Leopards in back-to-back matches. Looking at the respective lineups, the Bulls have named a very experienced tight five, but appear to lack class virtually everywhere else, with their young loose trio in particular a concern for them. Griquas are a lots closer to full strength and will need to replicate the strong forward play that has been a hallmark of their game in the last fortnight. Current form has Griquas as clear favourites here and I don’t see an upset looming. Griquas by 5 points.
Blue Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Zane Kirchner, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Louis Fouché, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Arno Botha, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha (captain), 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 19 Jono Ross, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Francois Venter.
Griquas: 15 Monty Dumond; 14 Riaan Viljoen, 13 Jean Stemmet, 12 Matthew Rosslee, 11 Dusty Noble; 10 Earl Rose, 9 Sarel Pretorius; 8 Jonathan Mokuena (capt), 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Justin Downey, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Jean Botha.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Dobson, 17 Ivann Espag, 18 Frikkie Spies, 19 Marnus Schoeman, 20 Marnus Hugo, 21 Barry Geel, 22 Wilmaure Louw.
Western Province v Lions
This is one that could go either way, of course. Province were poor at first against the Sharks, recovering strongly in the second half before losing to poor discipline in the final minutes. The Lions, in contrast, have been on a roll as the only unbeaten side left in the competition. They lack any players with real flair, but make up for that with a strong team spirit, great work ethic and disciplined approach, instilled by no-nonsense coach John Mitchell. Province have been boosted by the introduction of some x-factor players on the bench – in the form of Juan de Jongh and Gio Aplon, but will need to raise their game substantially, particularly amongst the forwards, to stand any chance of matching the Lions. This is going to be close, with the conditions a great leveller, but I see the Lions just sneaking this one based on the fact that they’re a better all-round team at the moment. Lions by 3.
Western Province: 15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Danie Poolman, 13. Johann Sadie, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. JJ Engelbrecht, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Pieter Louw, 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Nick Fenton-Wells, 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Hilton Lobberts, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie (Capt) , 1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. Quinn Roux, 19. Nizaam Carr, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Juan De Jongh, 22. Gio Aplon
Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (capt), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Michael Rhodes, 19 Warren Whiteley, 20 Rudy Paige, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Jannie Boshoff.
Sharks v Leopards
This one really shouldn’t be hard to call, with the Sharks clearly a better outfit than the Leopards, but the fact that the home side has struggled in away games against both the Pumas and Griquas does tend to level the playing field somewhat. That said, the fact that it’s a home game, with a bench packed with Boks should ultimately see the Sharks take this one comfortably – anything else than a bonus-point win would frankly be a massive upset. Sharks by 15.
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Marius Joubert, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Sbura Sithole, 10 Fred Michalak, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Jacques Botes (capt), 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Dale Chadwick
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Eugene van Staden, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Adrian Jacobs, 22 Stefan Terblanche
Leopards: 15 George Tossel, 14 Hoffman Maritz, 13 Jovan Bowles, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht, 11 Vainon Willis, 10 Wesley Dunlop, 9 Theo van Wyk, 8 Morné Hanekom (capt), 7 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 6 Victor Joubert, 5 Brad Mockford, 4 Brendan Snyman, 3 Stefan Bezuidenhout, 2 Jacques Moller, 1 Bennie Uys.
Replacements: 16 Marius Fourie, 17 Dewald Coetzee, 18 John-Roy Jenkins, 19 Christo van Niekerk, 20 Spanner Pretorius, 21 Johan Laker, 22 Hennie Skorbinski
Cheetahs v Pumas
Another game that should be an easy one to call, although the Pumas simply refuse to lie down this season. That said, they’ve flattered only to deceive so far this year, with no wins whatsoever to show for their, at times, inspiring play. Expect that trend to continue with the hot-and-cold Cheetahs too good at home. Cheetahs by 10.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Smit, 14 Philip Snyman, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corné Uys, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Boom Prinsloo, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Johan Wessels, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Marcel van der Merwe, 18 Ockert van Zyl, 19 Pieter Myburgh, 20 Enrico Acker, 21 Johan Goosen, 22 Philip Burger.
Pumas: 15. Carl Bezuidenhout, 14. Johan Jackson, 13. JW Jonker (Captain), 12. Tiaan Marx, 11. MJ Mentz, 10. Ricardo Croy, 9. Tian Carel Meyer, 8. Christo le Roux, 7. RW Kember, 6. Jaco Bouwer, 5. Eduan Van Der Walt, 4. Rudi Mathee, 3. Ashley Buys, 2. Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1. De-Jay Terblanche
Replacements: 16. Pellow van der Westhuizen, 17. Dawie Steyn, 18. Willem Serfontein, 19. JP Mostert, 20. Hendrik van der Nest, 21. Siviwe Magaba, 22. Deon Scholtz
we differ on one game .. you have the lions to win
i think there might be something wrong with Rob
WP to sneak it
Talk about the CC being unpredictable. I got 0/4 the weekend before last. This weekend should be better.
@Zibbie (Comment 1) : You’re team is really playing some great entertaining rugby and I enjoy the way they play and they’ve learned to tackle which is a bonus.
@Zibbie (Comment 1) : Yeah, he is getting soft in his old age
Nice to see a prediction for Lions to beat province, it warms the heart
@Pokkel (Comment 3) :
i hope they can keep the form . im a bit worried that the rain wont suit our running game .. Jantjies needs to be on target like never before .
Go Griquas!!
Go Province!!
Go Sharks!!
Go Cheetahs!!
@Greg (Comment 4) : not my heart
Sportsbet obviously doesn`t agree with rob. They have bulls and wp as favourites . . .
Hmmm opportunity knocks . . .
All my predictions are exactly as Rob called
. Zibbie I really have a feeling the lions will take this one, just not next week please 
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 9) :
hahah we can negotiate
3 hard games ahead for the lions . ….
@Original Pierre (Comment 8) : of course they would… cos in close games, they don’t do any deep analysis… just go with the home side.
@JarsonX (Comment 6) : I’m going the same route
Wonder who the ref for the bulls match would be.
If it`s Craig Joubert the Kwasse might not make it.
I hope the Lions can beat WP
@Mutley (Comment 14) : I know they can, but hope they don’t..
@Franshark (Comment 15) : I’m also firmly behind WP for this one – for obvious reasons
normally I would root for Lions but their loss would be better for the sharks log position and of course for LMS.
Just had a look – cheetahs loss would do some damage
Dale Chadwick is the Sharks player I’m most interested to watch.
Scrumming hasn’t gone according to plan in the last couple of games and he needs to reestablish some confidence in his technique. Superugby presents the challenge from far smarter and also some far stronger opponents than this C/C season. He can’t really afford questionmarks at this level.
@rekinek (Comment 17) : A sharks loss would be an even bigger bloodbath!
@Greg (Comment 19) : i know, but since I would be bathing according to such scenario that would be undesirable
@Original Pierre (Comment 13) : Going to be a very intersting weekend, the Sharks have the same ref they had against WP last weekend.
“Not So” is doing the Cheetahs/Pumas game, THAT could go any way.
Giving the Bulls/griquas game to such a newcomer to premier div (Sindile has been around a while)might also backfire.
Blue Bulls vs Griquas at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Sindile Mayende
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Attie Buitendag
Television match official: Gerrie Coetzee
Assessor: Willie Roos
Western Province vs Golden Lions at Newlands
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Christie du Preez, Cobus Wessels
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman
Assessor: Dennis Immelman
Sharks vs Leopards at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
Assistant referees: Matt Kemp, Reuben Rossouw
Assessor: Pierre Oelofse
Free State Cheetahs vs Pumas at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Pro Legoete
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, De Goede Haasbroek
Television match official: JC Fortuin
Assessor: Arrie Schoonwinkel
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) : ah crap… we’ve got the oke who doesn’t know how scrums work again.
Good thing Eugene is benching this week
@robdylan (Comment 22) : When I saw who was reffing I checked who our Props were.
@robdylan (Comment 22) : i was tearing my hair out with that guy last week, looked like he had absolutley no clue what was going on
@RuckingFun (Comment 24) : well, it was perfectly bloody clear to everyone that he didn’t know what he was doing… everyone, that is, except the SARU refereeing panel who have seen fit to reappoint the muppet.
@robdylan (Comment 25) : maybe Eugene got a chance during the week to give him some more pointers on how the scrum works
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) : Who is our TMO?
Bad news!
Nick Koster is injured and won`t start for wp tonight!
Who from sw will be at the game tonight?