With this week set to be dominated (and rightly so) by the start of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, let’s not forget a few critical matches in the good old Currie Cup, the rugby world’s oldest inter-provincial competition.
The Pumas host the Kings in an unusually early match at 5pm today. The visitors are likely to be high on confidence, having unexpectedly recorded their first win of the competition against the Cheetahs last week. The Pumas, on the other hand, are licking wounds a little after an equally unexpected hammering in Kimberley. Always strong at home, the Kings are unlikely to find the Nelspruiters in particularly charitable mood and while this is likely to be pretty close, it’s hard to see any outcome other than a Puma win.
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, 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 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 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Cornel Hess, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Dwayne Kelly, 22 Elgar Watts.
Province then host the Bulls in the weekend’s big match, this one kicking off at 7:00pm today. Nollis Marais’s team suffered their first loss of the tournament against the Lions last week, but will have taken much from that defeat, particularly given their stunning second half fightback that very nearly turned the tables on the Lions after the visitors had run up a big early lead. If you’re only as good as your last half, then this should be an exciting match indeed, with Province also stepping up a gear against the Sharks after a turgid opening period of play. This clash really will be season-defining for both of these sides; for the Bulls, they simply have to win to keep any hopes of top spot alive, while Province can do their own chances of a home semi-final no harm at all should they prevail. I’m backing Dobson’s boys to kick on from Durban and thus call a narrow WP win.
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.
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.
Saturday’s action gets going rather early, with two almost simultaneous games. The Lions will look to cement their top position on the log against the Sharks in the earlier (2:30pm) game. Havingg lost structure and composure in stages at Loftus, last year’s runners up did enough to regroup and close out the game against the Bulls, while the Sharks – again – suffered numerous defensive lapses in a soft period against Western Province. Despite being very competitive up to that point, the combination of a creaky scrum and few ideas on attack left them unable to close the gap once Province got more than two scores ahead.
A lot can happen in a week, but it’s hard to imagine that the Sharks will have progressed enough to be considered serious contenders against the Lions; a healthy Lions victory is the only likely outcome here.
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 Kwagga 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.
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.
The other game, kicking off between the Cheetahs and Griquas in Bloemfontein at 3pm, could actually be a very interesting one indeed. Griquas have not come anywhere near their usual Currie Cup standard in this campaign, but found their voice last week against the Pumas and like nothing more than putting one over their neighbours, especially in Bloem. The Cheetahs were pretty dire in their last outing and it seems that whatever other good Franco Smith has been able to do sine taking over there, brining consistency to the Cheetahs’ level of performance remains an unrealised goal. It’s quite possible – given that a semi-final spot is very much up for grabs, that the Cheetahs will bounce back and record a good win, but I have a sneaky feeling this one will go the other way, hence calling a narrow Griquas upset victory.
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, 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.
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.
Tweet
Pumas by 7
WP by 5
Sharks by 5
Cheetahs by 7
Sharks by 8. That’s what my Superbru reads. I will continue to support the boys even though things are not going our way.
Changes are needed but reading the disgraceful comments on FB and Twitter makes me think that Shark Supporters are fair weather supporters.
@YamYam (Comment 2) : some supporters are fair weather supporters!!!!!!!! others like you and me will seemingly blindly back the Black and White!!!!!!!!!!
Blue Bulls by 9
Cheetahs by 15
Lions by 18
Kings by 6
@JD (Comment 3) : LoL, Read a interesting article where Stephan Tereblanche states gives this team time whilst they sort out the previous 18Months. He states that these players still feeling that after effects.
I actually dreamt lions and sharks play even this game. I have the team way too much on my mind if it’s making its way to my dreams. I’d better get another hobby.
Puma, Bulls, Lions & Cheetahs
I cant see the Sharks pulling off a shock result but what i would like to see is a more accurate and clever performance from the side. That id be happy with and if it stays close who knows.
Rob any indication who will be the sponsor of next years CC? Heard it will also be an expanded format and that Vodacom Cup may fall away?
When the Lions supporters start banking 5 points against your team, you know your boys are being “coached” by Gary Gold. 😥
@FireTheLooser (Comment 10) : 😆 😆 😆 😆
Some very differing predictions…should be an interesting weekend. While I always back the Sharks on Superbru, here’s what I actually think will happen:
Pumas by 6
Bulls by 8
Lions by 11
Cheetahs by 13
Lions by 12
Lions by 20 😯
WP by 6
Cheetahs by 8
Pumas by 15
Well I think the Sharks are going to buck the trend and sneak a win against the Lions on Saturday. We always tend to save our best for when our backs are against the wall and everyone (including the opposition) has written us off. I still maintain we have the players to take us forward.
Sharks to win by 5 in spite of Gary Gold
@jonnow (Comment 15) : Did u just bribe the ref? Come on be honest, you can tell us…
@YamYam (Comment 5) : must say I totally agree with him!!!!!!! All the changes must have an effect on the players and staff.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 10) : or they’re way over confidant and the “under dog” Sharks could just give them a huge surprise! Let’s face it the Sharks always performs well when everyone is giving them absolutely no chance.
@jonnow (Comment 15) : 😀
@JD (Comment 19) : @jonnow (Comment 15) : Share what you okes are smoking?
@jonnow (Comment 15) : Nope Jonnow, we do not have the Locks to compete, TH as well as Hooker still a problem, Lambie gets injured for example we in serious trouble.
@JD (Comment 18) : (I hope you used your whisper voice when you uttered that notion – don’t want the Lions to figure it out).
Maybe that’s John’s big plans, employ a mediocre coach and permanently fasten the underdog tag to our necks. 😉
Maybe somebody can hide Oosthuizen and Mjekevu’s kit (or just foget to load it on the plane 😉 )…then Dan can start at 4, and our entire backline can receive the much needed reshuffle…
I would in all honesty like to see Cronje play at 12 – why not roll the dice (obviously once he’s available again).
@JD (Comment 3) : So, being realistic by thinking the Sharks will lose makes us fair weather supporters? Get real.
@sharks_lover (Comment 20) : boet it’s called lots and lots of different names but I call it blind faith!!!!!! 😈
I think we are going to drag the Lions down to our level and lose a scrappy affair.
@sharks_lover (Comment 21) : Ja I agree there are still a few problem positions in the squad that will need to be improved on, for me tighthead being the most urgent.
The last time we played the Lions I thought our pack was pretty competitive and the final score wasn’t for me a true reflection of the game.
@Ben (Comment 24) : no it does not but you must admit there are some fair weather supporters that only support the team when they win.
@JD (Comment 28) : There are thousands and it’s not only the Sharks supporters, most of them can be found supporting the Bulls. 😈
@Ben (Comment 29) : Most of them can be found supporting the Bulls (when they are winning of course).
O would you look at that, the Sharks doing another signing session today at a CellC store, not like they have an important game tomorrow or anything.
@Seth101 (Comment 31) : Signing toilet paper?
@Ben (Comment 32) : You’d think that’s all people would want them to sign.
Wish Cell C would extend their latest promo of “buying you out of your current cell phone contract” to the rugby fraternity….
These Cell C chaps sure demand their pound of flesh from their employees.
I went with the Lions, cause if we lose, at least I get the SuperBru points.
Usually I also pick the Bulls on SuperBru, cause if they win, at least I got the SuperBru points. 🙂
@Seth101 (Comment 31) : The Sharks are great reflections of their sponsors….”poor service when you need it most”.
Maybe John could get Land Rover on board too 😈
@FireTheLooser (Comment 37) : But in all honesty all Cell providers are in the same boat.
@jonnow (Comment 27) : Nope boet, Lock is critical, 4 and 5
@FireTheLooser (Comment 37) : Land Rover are sponsoring Stormers – a match made in heaven.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, the Sharks are going to put their sponsored vehicles together piece by piece, so far the have GUD filters.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 40) : No wonder the streamers break down when they get to the business end of a competition. 😉
Just give all the Sharks beach buggies – both surf boards and fishing gear will fit on it, and their GUD filters (and other cheap spares) will serve them well.
The way they’re playing, they need the cheapest vehicle available. 🙄
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 40) : Cell C pulled off a huge coup when they signed the Sharks.
Imagine how it must gaul the guys at Vodacom every time there is a mention of Cell C in the league they pay millions to keep afloat .Especially when the guy is being interviewed in a Cell C cap and jersey in front of their sponsors board,in the very expensive post match period that they are paying for
No way Cell C are going anywhere.
@The hound (Comment 42) : hahaha very good point
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 38) : 100% agreed. All the stories about “my cell provider never drops a call” are anecdotal and subjective. If a cell provider serves a customer well in one geographic location it simply means they’re dropping the ball somewhere else. And as someone who has used them all (Cell C, Vodacom, MTN, Telkom Mobile) I can attest that everyone’s billing and customer service is equally rubbish. A cell network, similar to PSdT, is constantly breaking down somewhere 😈
@sharks_lover (Comment 39) : Nope can’t agree with you here, without a decent tight-head the sharks scrum will be going backwards all afternoon long, just like it did against WP last weekend.
Unlike most here, I actually rate Oosthuizen as a lock despite an off game or two. Wentzel is where the problem lies, he’s not physical enough and he spends too much time hanging out in the backline. Can’t wait for Lewies to get back to full fitness.
Lions by millions.
It galls me how much time the players spend on marketing when instead they should be (re)learning the basics of rugby…
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 46) : Maybe a grade 8 coach should be brought in as technical adviser regarding the “basics” of rugby….seems no one at the Sharks remember the core around which a game of rugby is built.
@vanmartin (Comment 44) : Nice analogy… 😆
@FireTheLooser (Comment 47) : wasn’t Jake White a school teacher? 😆
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 49) : It is all clear now 😀
Don’t underestimate the Sharks. It just takes one slight mental shift to go from awful to good. Just like France. Lose to Fiji, but play in the final.
I also think it’s time for a Bulls win at Newlands. The Bulls play 2 fetchers, so quality ball might be an issue for WP. I truly hope Juan’s brother scrums better than Greyling. The penalty machine is dropped and we don’t need another.
Well once again I just put it out there so the universe has an alternate path. Sharks to win and shock everyone!
Of course I can’t guarantee in which universe this will come to pass. But here’s hoping it’s ours. ….
@YamYam (Comment 5) : I read that too, the September issue of Sharks magazine. I think I’m the only person in Edgemead who buys it from the local Spar. I respect what Terblanche says, such a gentleman. Butch James was a little unkind to the Sharks when commentating last week. Which wasn’t necessary
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 49) : And the other dude that Smit appointed – wasn’t he also a school teacher? I forget his name sadly.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 55) : Brad MacLeod-Henderson. Yes, he was.
@Ben (Comment 56) : nope, BMH was just Hilton’s first team coach wasn’t he? Don’t believe he was involved in school teaching. Perhaps our friend Vinnie is talking about that Paul Anthony dude? Paul Anthony had coached Smit at PBH.
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 57) : I know he was the first team coach at Hilton, but you’re right, I’m not sure if he was actually teaching as well.
I know this will probably get me in the dwang with this site’s big cheeses, because of the provenance of this article, but I remember reading this back in April and I can only remind myself of it and how much further the “happy” Sharks have slipped since…
http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2015/04/13/sharks-in-shambles-but-at-least-without-white-training-and-playing-is-fun
Try scored by Leyds for WP
Du Preez converts
WP 7
Bulls 0
4min
Try Huw Jones
Convertion missed
WP 12
Bulls 0
9min
Penalty Fouche
Bulls 3
WP 12
11min
Penalty missed by du Preez
WP 12
Bulls 3
16min
Bulls turn down a kickable penalty and go for the line out
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 59) : Sharks management is in denial and clueless. Actually heard all about this crap before the news broke. Sad, Smit counted or counts on Brendan too much. All the crap that Smit promised when he took over fell by the way side. Sharks need a quick scrumhalf, at least one creative keegan, Kanko type of loose forward and one hard as nails loose forward and a front row that can scrum to be effective.
This time the Bulls take the points on offer and Fouche converts the penalty
Bulls 6
WP 12
29min
Charge down by WP from the kick and Senatla gathers but just out before he grounds the ball
Penalty du Preez
WP 15
Bulls 6
31min
Penalty Fouche
Bulls 9
WP 15
34min
Fouche misses his first of the night.
Bulls 9
WP 15
37min
Halftime
WP 15
Bulls 9
Penalty du Preez
WP 18
Bulls 9
46min
Penalty de Preez
WP 21
Bulls 9
59min
Penalty de Preez
WP 24
Bulls 9
65min
Try Ismail
Schoeman misses the conversion
Bulls 14
WP 24
74min
Try Vermaak
Not converted by du Preez
WP 29
Bulls 14
77min
Fulltime
WP 29
Bulls 14