And just like that, the Currie Cup is virtually over for another season, with the last round of league games played this weekend. Only one fixture has any bearing on the make-up of the top 4, while two others will be instrumental in determining the location of one of the semi finals.
Western Province take on Eastern Province at 6pm today in a game that the hosts will want to win handsomely in order to give themselves the best possible chance of facing the Blue Bulls at home next week. Province will look to bank a big five-pointer here and then hope that the Pumas can do the unthinkable and prevent the Bulls from picking up any log points in the other game. Both teams have some injury concerns going into the game, but it’s hard to see the battered Kings putting up more than token resistance against a WP side with a lot to play for. Expect Province to win comfortably, by around 15 points.
Western Province: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Juan de Jongh (captain), 11 Leolin Zass, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Jurie Van Vuuren, 5 Chris Van Zyl, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Jan De Klerk, 19 Justin Benn, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Jaco Taute.
Eastern Province Kings: 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Ronnie Cooke (captain), 12 JP du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi/Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Jacques Engelbrecht, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Stefan Willemse/Tazz Fuzani, 3 Simon Kerrod, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Martin Ferreira, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Basil Short, 19 David Bulbring, 20 Paul Schoeman, 21 Dwayne Kelly, 22 Karlo Aspeling.
In a simultaneous game, the Bulls visit Nelspruit to play the Pumas and while it’s perhaps comforting to think that MJ Mentz’s team might have a big upset left in them, I just can’t see it happening. The Pumas did well against the Cheetahs last week, but I doubt they really have the fire-power to take down a Currie Cup “big gun” this season and the Bulls will just have too much class in their squad to go down here. It might be scrappy and appear close at times, but I’m backing the boys in blue to pick up a win by 8-10 and claim second spot on the final log.
Pumas: 15 Hoffmann Maritz, 14 Bernado Botha, 13 Jerome Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Justin van Staden, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Jason-Colin Fraser, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Rudi Mathee, 4 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 Corné Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Frank Herne, 17 De-Jay Terblanché, 18 Marius Coetzer, 19 Dylan Petersen, 20 Reynier van Rooyen, 21 Hennie Skorbinski, 22 Wilmaure Louw.
Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Steenkamp, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 William Small-Smith.
In the biggest game of the round, the Sharks travel to Bloemfontein to face the Cheetahs in a winner-takes-all match for the last semi-final berth. It’s been a frankly horrendous campaign for both teams and one has to say that, on just 3 wins from 9 starts, it’s frankly embarrassing that the Cheetahs are even in semi-final contention this year. The Sharks, with 4 from 9 (and nary a bonus point in sight) can hardly claim any sort of moral advantage, but should they prevail here, would at least progress to the knock-outs with a 50% win record from the round robin stage. Gary Gold’s team have some continuity and the tiniest bit of momentum, given their big win against woeful Griquas, while the cheetahs are still licking their self-inflicted wounds after a draw to the Pumas last week. While the Bloemfonteiners love nothing more than getting one over the Sharks, my feeling is that the Durbanites will have just a little bit more desperation here and we’ll thus see a narrow Sharks win.
Don’t be late for the very early 2pm kick-off.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Burrie Gildenhuys Uys.
Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Teunis Nieuwoudt, 18 Reniel Hugo, 19 Freddy Ngoza, 20 Gerhard Olivier, 21 Ruan van Rensburg, 22 Niel Marais, 23 AJ Coertzen, 24 Willem Serfontein.
Sharks: 15 Garth April, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Dave McDuling, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Christiaan de Bruin, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Waylon Murray.
The last game really is the ultimate in dead rubber fixtures, with the unbeaten Lions facing the bottom-of-the-rung Griquas in Johannesburg. Johan Ackermann has rested his entire first choice side, but I’d still expect a comfortable Lions win in a game that should underline just how much better this union currently is than any other in the country. AND RUDOLF STRAEULI IS RUNNING THE SHOW FOR THEM.…. just let that bit sink in.
Golden Lions: 15 Vainon Willis, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Gerdus van der Walt, 11 Mark Richards, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Ricky Schroeder, (captain), 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Fabian Booysen, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Martin Muller, 4 MB Lusaseni, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Mark Pretorius, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Bobby de Wee, 19 Stephan de Witt, 20 Lohan Jacobs, 21 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Salom Gavor.
Griquas: 15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Sandile Ngcobo, 13 Ruan Nel, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Ntabeni Dukisa, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Carel Greeff, 7 Jono Janse van Rensburg, 6 RJ Liebenberg, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Jonathan Adendorf, 3 Stephan Kotze, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Danie Mienie.
Replacements: 16 Abraham le Roux, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Leon Karemaker, 19 Wendal Wehr, 20 Dylon Frylinck, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Jonathan Francke.
Tweet
“AND RUDOLF STRAEULI IS RUNNING THE SHOW FOR THEM.…. just let that bit sink in.”
😆 😆
How the Sharks took things for granted when he was in Durban.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 1) : He did a lot of good whilst in Durban but was apparently very difficult to work with and a lot of players also left during his time here in Durban. So like with everyone there pros and cons
@SheldonK (Comment 2) : Not saying he is the Alpha and Omega, but he did allot more good than wrong for the Sharks. Apparently GG is easy to work with…. #justsaying
@Uli Boelie (Comment 3) : You’re #justsayingalot lol 😆
@SheldonK (Comment 2) : @Uli Boelie (Comment 3) : Anybody remember the great lock exodus?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 5) : Did it have anything to do with Oom Rudi wanting to make a come back? 😆
Not that our locks are still staying around….
@Uli Boelie (Comment 6) : If Matfield can, surely mr. Potato head can also 😈
Our greatest loss was Mostert….he was an even bigger loss than PSdT.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 3) : Umm im not sure about the alot more good than bad…think its a toss up depending which angle you look from. Yes he brought in guys, but lots left too. He was a dictator at board room level as a result nobody was groomed to succeed him. But he did write up good contracts. So yeh def a toos up of good and bad.Remember the guys the Lions have a mainly rejects from the bigger unions where they couldnt crack it ahead of at the time more established guys, often Boks. Now those established guys/ Boks have left those Unions so where these players would have stepped into that breach they are now at the Lions.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 7) : Mostert, Bresler, Marais x 2…just add those guys and watch our scrum difference
#justsaying is as #stupid as #tweeting.
@fyndraai (Comment 10) : #inyour #ratherarrogant #opinion
@StevieS (Comment 4) : 😀
Ditto on the picks for this round…
@robdylan (Comment 11) : 😀
Come on Sharks!!!!!
And in the light of this thread up to now:
#SharksFightingChance
#myopinion #tweetingisforbirds #idontliketwitter
@SheldonK (Comment 8) : I would love to see the balance sheet of who came, and stayed because of Strrols. I bet the balance sheet would be heavily in the positive for him. Just have a look at how few KZN schoolboys stay now as opposed to when he was around.
I see Mallet has again run his mouth – this time with regard to the Poms approaching him about the English head coach job….mr. Integrity 🙄
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 18) : He did a sterling job in keeping the Kriel twins…also, most of the Sharks players that left under him is now again under him at the Lions. 😈
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
Social media seems to bring out the worst in me.
#humblepie
🙂
@FireTheLooser (Comment 19) :
http://ratetheref.co.za/2015/10/09/lancaster-responds-to-mallett-rumours/
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 18) : Um i dunno hey. There was a lot of movement both in and out. I think the school boy thing would also be distorted by what Hans Scriba was doing at the Academy. DOnt get me wrong i think Strauli did a good job…but i dont think he planned for the future too much in that he never worked closely with anyone so when he left there was a big void. And he also didnt do the best at retaining depth. The top guys were kept but those just under that all left.
@SheldonK (Comment 23) : there was a big disconnect between rudolf and john plum. That’s where it all fell down. I personally think Rudolf did a very good job in terms of keeping the junior conveyor belt moving, but the uptake of those guys into the senior side wasn’t great, hence so many of them leaving.
@robdylan (Comment 24) : Between Hans Scriba and Strauli they did their best to bring guys in. Prob Plum had is that the majority of his squad of the time were Boks or thereabout so was under pressure to play those guys. Its a tricky situation and does require compromise from both the young players as well as top coach. Unfortunately that didnt happen and guys left. If the Sharks side didnt hav the Boks then def more young guys would have been given a chance…but then without those top guys as we see now..how would results have fared? Tricky situation
@FireTheLooser (Comment 20) : Well he couldnt keep everyone. Cant blame him for the third Kriel moving on though.
@SheldonK (Comment 23) : I dont think Strools was planning on going anywhere, so had no reason to groom a successor.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 19) : I might be alone in this, but I would rather keep GG than have Mallet as our coach. He is just too arrogant, even if he might be a good coach
@HeinF (Comment 28) : Not sure he is a good coach – his results as Bok coach, especially during his final two years says that he’s a rubbish coach (low 30%’s winning ratio).
It’s better that he stick to technical analysis…”those who can, do – those who can’t, are on the side-line complaining about those that can” …. yep, that’s Mallet. 😈
@Uli Boelie (Comment 22) : Once again proving that Mallet has absolutely no integrity, and even less respect for any of the coaches currently employed.
He fits well with the has-beens on SS….Mallet wouldn’t cut it as a coach in the modern era.
This quote by Lancaster says it all:
“I will go see them and chat it all through professionally and privately the way it should be done.” – should serve as a tip to arrogant Mallet.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 27) : No dictator ever plans on leaving 😈
@FireTheLooser (Comment 29) : I did say might be a good coach 😉
I also don’t agree with a lot of the things he says on SS, but not always sure if I disagree with him because he is wrong, I am wrong or because I just really dislike him. He is always so quick to criticise say what the coaching team is doing wrong and what they should be doing…you would imagine after coaching for so many years, he should know if problems were that easy to fix, all teams would win all the time, or atleast always play good rugby
Did Streauli leave when Smit was appointed or was it before then? Just pondering how much we really have benefited and flourished under Smit’s watch.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 18) : I have one big weight to put into the scale on the negative side: Marius Joubert…
@fyndraai (Comment 21) : Good response! #respect
@Gold_Must_Go (Comment 33) : He left after Smit arrived…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 19) : @Uli Boelie (Comment 22) : As good as the bloke allegedly is…man, he can just be such a toss!! Why does he do that? To impress everyone with who actually wants him?? Just a toss…
Just a thought on the Rob du Preez thing: If he is assistant coach for Super Rugby and head coach for Currie Cup…what happens if they really do move the Currie Cup to a slot that is parallel with Super Rugby…
@pastorshark (Comment 37) : Hard to say anything about the guy without using a whole string of expletives….so best to use as few words as possible.
Just wish somebody will actually call him to book for his eagerness to cause a rift between management and their coaching staff.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 39) : Aye…ai…aiaiai…
Soooo…channel hopping is about to start! Bulls v Pumas and Province v Kings…
Here come the Bulls…
And the Pumas…and a reserve is leading them out…because it will be his 100th cap if he comes on…
Province and Kings now also on…
30 seconds into the game the TMO has to check for foul play in Cape Town…the lock for the Kings is very lucky to stay on the field…neck roll on his opposite number…
Province kick the penalty into the corner and score…Carr!
At the same time the Pumas take the lead through a try by Marnus Schoeman…7-0 in Nelspruit…
Bulls almost score from the kickoff…but Stegmann drops the ball over the tryline…
The Pumas win a penalty for a Bull being doff…
While Province and the Kings are resetting a scrum a million times, the Pumas are attacking hard…but the final pass is forward! Good play Pumas…
The Kings finally get a penalty from that scrum and van Breda will take a shot!
He nails it beautifully and it is 7-3 in Cape Town…
The Bulls exit from the 22 and relieve a bit of pressure…
The Bulls steal the Pumas lineout ball and come up with a huge drive!
Ulengo steps into touch and the Bulls are awarded a penalty…
The Bulls kick for the corner…
The Pumas defend the maul well, but in the next phase are penalised…
Meanwhile Province are hard on the attack…
The Bulls kick for the corner again and this time Stegmann scores at the back of the maul…
Kings defend well but are offsides…du Preez will take a shot…
Tian Schoeman hits the upright…7-5 after 13 mins…
Du Preez nails the penalty and makes it 10-3 after 12 minutes…
Sorry…important phone call…meanwhile the Bulls lead 7-10…and Province lead 24-14…
Bulls go into half time 7-13 up after a Schoeman penalty…
And Province lead 24-14 at halftime…
The Pumas have dominated territory and possession but the Bulls have been calm and good on the counter…
Things going again in Cape Town…in Nelspruit they are still interviewing coaches…
Lleyds scores a minute into the second half…that’s the bonus point!
Bulls haven’t been great tonight…another knock after several phases…
Province lead 31-14…
Somewhere during my phone call Stegmann had picked up a yellow card…
More poor handling by the Bulls…they knock it…then turn it over…then knock it again…ai!
Pumas receive another penalty…they kick it to the corner after their kicker had missed three penalties in the first half…
Bulls steal it after a poor throw…
Another penalty to the Pumas!
This time they will take the shot…
This time it’s there and it 10-13…
Bulls attack through 11 phases but stuff it up in the end!
Penalty to the Bulls though and they kick it to the corner…
The Bulls score off the maul again…Stegmann…
Another tough conversion to come…just missed again…
10-18 after 50 minutes…
Bulls really picking up momentum now…
…but knocked on and the Pumas counter…
Bit scrappy in Nelspruit…another sequence of knock…turnover…knock…
Province score from the lineout…the replacement flanker…38-14…
The Bulls have scored their bonus point try…
Ulengo scored after an initial break by Schoeman…
Schoeman converted and the Bulls are out of sight at 10-25…
But the Pumas have shifted a gear after that try and after several chances finally Speckman scores…
The conversion is good and it is an 8 point game again…17-25…
Still 38-14 in Cape Town…
The Bulls have made some rookie errors in the last 5 minutes…they blow another chance there!
Stegmann gives away another stupid penalty…
Jeepers Speckman has pace!
In Nelspruit it is 17-25 with 10 mins to go…
Big maul…but ANOTHER knock by the Bulls!!
Province still lead 38-14…
Bulls attack…and KNOCK IT AGAIN!! WOW…
The Bulls have been far more dominant in the second half, but made soooo many handling errors!
Not mich happening in Cape Town…still 38-14…
@pastorshark (Comment 101) : …much…
Poor work by Province at the maul…
Pumas almost score to set up an exciting last minute…
Now Pumas have scored…but right on the hooter, so that will be it…
Lleyds also scores for Province on the hooter…
So the Bulls scrape home 24-25…
They won’t be too happy with their efforts tonight…
Province win 45-14…they will be happier with their efforts…but they have to travel to Loftus for the semi…
My money is on Province for the semi…?
RG Snyman is man of the match for the Bulls…
Godlen Masimla the man of the match for Province…
@pastorshark (Comment 110) : If they can keep the consistency I agree. However province just got bitch slapped a week or so ago. So if they can find the consistency yes they will. But one game where they play like they did against the Lions will undo them. If they played this way 4 games in a row I would be as confident as you.
@coolfusion (Comment 113) : Yeah…that’s why I put the question mark at the end of the statement. Look, the Bulls have been scrappy for the last month or so…whereas Province has played very well, but just got crunched by a top Lions side. I give it to Province…marginally.
Tomorrow’s games should be exciting! 😀
@pastorshark (Comment 114) : All but the Lions are still a gamble some better odds than others…
Come on, Sharks!! Good luck…
I’m starting to get excited…
Kick off. Cubs vs Griquas
Try Greef
Converted Prinsloo
Griquas 7
Cubs 0
8min
Try Sampie Mastriet
Converted vd Walt
Cubs 7
Griquas 7
13min
Penalty missed by vd Walt
Cubs 7
Griquas 7
16min
Try Kwagga!!!!!!!
Converted vd Walt
Cubs 14
Griquas 7
33min
Try Tian Meyer
Converted Prinsloo
Griquas 14
Cubs 14
39min
Halftime
Griquas 14
Cubs 14
It would be interesting to see if Ackerman plays all of the juniors win or lose or if he will bring in some big guns to pull things out of the fire. Too bad I can’t see who is on the bench.
@coolfusion (Comment 130) : No big guns on the bench…
@pastorshark (Comment 131) : Its a scrappy game
Penalty vd Walt
Lions 17
Griquas 14
61min
Try Jaques Nel!!!!!!!
Convertion missed
Lions 22
Griquas 14
64min
Try Dylan Frylik
Convertion missed
Griquas 19
Lions 22
77min
2nd try for the Jaques Nel
Converted
Lions 29
Griquas 19
80min
Fulltime and the Lions claims their 10th straight win with a bonus point 29-19 win over Griquas
Man of the Match
Pieter Scholz