It’s been a bit of a funny week, with a “leftover” game from Round 1 played on Wednesday. Round 5 proper gets underway today, though and we have four match-ups.
Game 1: BOLAND CAVALIERS vs PUMAS
Neither of these sides appears much of a threat to any of the others this season, so I guess this will be an evenly-matched contest between two teams destined to end near the bottom of the log. The Pumas have been worse than expected this year, while Boland have occasionally looked OK, so I’m going to back the home side here and call a Cavaliers victory by 5 points.
Boland Cavaliers – 15 Adriaan Carelse, 14 Gerrit van Wyk, 13 Christopher Bosch, 12 Ryan Nel (c), 11 Danwel Demas, 10 Theuns Kotzé, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Zandré Jordaan, 7 Jacques Engelbrecht, 6 Shaun Adendorff, 5 Joubert Horn, 4 Shaun McDonald, 3 Basil Short, 2 Clemen Lewis, 1 SP Wessels.
Subs: 16 Francois Esterhuizen, 17 Enoch Mnyaka, 18 Hanno Kitshoff, 19 Wayne Wilschut, 20 Kenan Cronjé, 21 Gerhard Jordaan, 22 Robbie Louw.
Pumas – 15 Devon Williams, 14 Bernado Botha, 13 Tyler Fisher, 12 Leighton van Wyk, 11 JP Lewis, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Emile Temperman, 8 Renaldo Bothma (c), 7 Nardus van der Walt, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Jannie Stander, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Frank Herne, 1 De-Jay Terblanché.
Subs: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Wiehan Hay, 19 Lambert Groenewald, 20 Kevin Luiters, 21 Marlou van Niekerk, 22 Ruwellyn Isbell.
Game 2: BLUE BULLS vs GOLDEN LIONS
One of the picks of the round – and no mistake. The Lions have looked impressive in 60-point dismantlings of the Pumas and Boland at home, but fluffed their lines badly when asked to take on a fired-up Griquas side away from home. They’re stronger this week, in that Super Rugby danger men Courtnall Skosaan and Rohan Janse van Rensburg are back in the mix and all in all are starting to look more like the side that made it all the way to the final of the previous competition. The Bulls have also been up and down, but have frankly struggled to put together an 80 minute performance. They were good in many of the things they did in Durban, but ultimately let themselves down in terms of execution and options on attack. I have a funny feeling, though, that this week, the Bulls are going to pull off a surprise, at home. Blue Bulls to win by 3 points.
Blue Bulls – 15 Duncan Matthews, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Arno Botha (c), 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Subs: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Martin Dreyer, 18 Nic de Jager, 19 Roelof Smit, 20 André Warner, 21 Joshua Stander, 22 Ulrich Beyers.
Golden Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronjé (c), 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lourens Erasmus, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Dylan Smith.
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Victor Sekekete, 19 Fabian Booysen, 20 Dillon Smit, 21 Jaco van der Walt, 22 Jacques Nel.
Game 3: FS CHEETAHS vs EP KINGS
This one is not hard to call. The Kings face their third match in eight days and will frankly be finished. Cheetahs to win by 20.
Free State Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Nico Lee, 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Torsten Van Jaarsveld, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jacques Du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Justin Basson, 19 Henco Venter, 20 Shaun Venter, 21 Niel Marais, 22 Michael van der Spuy.
Kings not yet announced.
Game 4: WESTERN PROVINCE vs SHARKS
Another tough one to call. The Sharks have made a strong start to the season but are still ironing out some of the wrinkles, both on attack and defence. That latter aspect was much better against the Bulls, with the Sharks keeping their line intact for a good 70 minutes of a tough encounter. Western Province are battling to find their spark this season and played poorly in their opening two games, losing both. They managed to annihilate the Kings last week – at least on the scoreboard – but that performance will leave their coach with more questions than answers at this stage. All in all, this game is shaping up as a real must win for John Dobson’s men, lest they find themselves amongst the also-ran category halfway through the season. For the Sharks, a 5-from-5 record would see them well on their way to a log-topping finish and it’s to be hoped that the team will grasp this opportunity. Sharks to win by 5 points.
Western Province – 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Stefan Willemse, 5 Chris van Zyl (c), 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 JP Smith, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Jurie van Vuuren, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 EW Viljoen.
Sharks – 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 S’bura Sithole, 10 Inny-Christian Radebe, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel (c), 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Juan Schoeman.?
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 John-Hubert Meyer, 18 Jean Droste, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Rhyno Smith.
Tweet
have a look at the Bulls props. Anyone notice anything interesting?
@robdylan (Comment 1) :
Brothers of the Sharks props?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : yeah – and in the same positions too. I’m a sucker for silly trivia like that
@robdylan (Comment 3) :
On another point, something I am a sucker for.
Just check how the Lions are constantly rotating their team.. building depth to be the best SA team in Super Rugby again..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : I hear you, but I think they have “earned the right to rotate” if that makes sense. Currie Cup holders, Super Rugby finalists, I think their fans will be understanding if they don’t win the cup this year. Sharks on the other hand need continuity – once again we’ve got a brand new coach.
How much did the Lions rotate in Currie Cup last year? Not much, I’ll bet.
@robdylan (Comment 5) : that said, the Sharks rotated like mad in 2013 under a brand new coaching team and they managed to win the Cup.
@robdylan (Comment 5) :
I recall a match in Currie Cup last year that they made about 11 changes or something.
Look, I hear you, the Sharks need the Cup, they need some confidence and momentum heading into Super Rugby, but what would that momentum help if they run out of players 4 weeks into the competition?
A decent Currie Cup would only keep the peace for so long, until it becomes clear again that there is no bigger plan..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 7) : yeah – nailed it with that last comment. Such a delicate balancing act, though.
Well this week we’re not even close to agreeing so you might get 100% again. My picks for the games are:
Pumas
Lions
Cheetahs
Sharks
@robdylan (Comment 5) : i seem to remember a lot of rotation during last years CC . might just be old age
@Zibbie (Comment 10) : ok, maybe I’m just making shit up. It does happen sometimes
@robdylan (Comment 11) : it has been a mark of Ackers coaching term . the rotation , especially during the currie cup . Im a bit busy right now but i can pull up a few team sheets later so we can check .
Go Sharks! Looking forward to this game! So far this season every Sharks game has been very enjoyable to watch.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : how dare they say you’re wrong on your own site!!! You make just one factual imperfection and all this happens!!! Sies man shame on them!!! 😉
@JD (Comment 14) : @robdylan (Comment 11) : 😆 😆
@JD (Comment 14) : hey , i did say it might be old age 😛 I have lots of respect for Rob . Smart guy 🙂
@Zibbie (Comment 16) : watch it leeutjie!!! 😉
@JD (Comment 17) : sorry oom 😛 sal nie weer gebeur nie
@Zibbie (Comment 18) : ok dan’s dit reg so boetie. 😉
Pumas lead 17-13 afer 60minutes. Pumas only have 14men with a red card. Looks like Tyler Fisher.
Try Adendorff
@Mutley (Comment 20) : yeah, it was Fisher. Leading with the elbow
Conversion missed by Kotze
Boland 18
Pumas 17
65min
10min left and Boland with an attacking scrum close to the Pumas line
Try for Robbie Louw
Kotze converts
Boland 25
Pumas 17
72min
Try Kevin Luiters
Conversion missed by Devon Williams
Pumas 22
Boland 25
79min
Bothma knocks the ball and Boland kick it in touch and with that Boland win 25-22
I think lions will beat bulls but by less than 10. Bulls just cannot last 2nd half. Otherwise I agree with the rest of the predictions.
Its time for the Jukskei derby. Will the Bulls get the uperhand at fortress Loftus or will the Lions win their first away match this season? A lot of former Bulls in the Lions team with Robbie Coetzee, Marnitz Boshoff, Rohan Jv Rensburg, Courtnall Skosan and Adries Coetzee all plaing their junior rugby in Pretoria will be looking to make a statement. Bulls with a young but excting team. Lions with a settled and experienced team. Lions are favourite on paper but as we all know, rugby is played on grass not paper. Lets get this derby going
Kick off by Tian Schoeman
Bulls vs Lions
Bulls get a penalty from the kick off and Schoeman converts
Bulls 3
Lions 0
2min
Bulls is looking like they are ready for business in this game.
Lions win a scrum penalty and Boshoff going for a +50m attempt and its just short.
Lions 0
Bulls 3
5min
Scrums are a mess at the moment.
Bulls get a penalty as Kwagga Smith’s tackle on Odendaal slipping up to the neck. Schoeman converts
Bulls 6
Lions 0
15min
Lions win another scrum penalty and Boshoff takes another shot at goal and success this time.
Lions 3
Bulls 6
18min
Scrum penalty for the Bulls. Schoeman takes a 48m attempt and gets it
Bulls 9
Lions 3
24min
Try Howard Mnisi!!!!!!!
Converted Boshoff
Lions 10
Bulls 9
26min
Intercept try for Travis Ismail
Converted Schoeman
Bulls 16
Lions 10
33min
Halftime
Bulls 16
Lions 10
Tackles made
Bulls 52
Lions 43
Tackles missed
Bulls 16
Lions 8
Boshoff starts the 2nd half
Try by Marvin Orie
Conversion missed by Schoeman
Bulls 21
Lions 10
46min
Bull defending like trojans and dominating the line outs
Try Kwagga Smith
Converted by Boshoff
Lions 17
Bulls 21
61min
Bulls starting to read Jansen van Rensburg like a book
Bulls win a scrum penalty and Schoeman knocks is over
Bulls 24
Lions 17
64min
9minutes left and the Bulls are looking like they are going to win. Lions losing the ball in the contact too many times.
Josua Stander scores the winning try for the Bulls
Tian Schoeman converts
Bulls 31
Lions 17
74min
Lions were completely outplayed. None of the Lions players pitched for this game as the Bulls win 31-17.
@Mutley (Comment 56) : eina seems as if Rob is going to get 2 from 2 today!
Some more shine on the Sharks win last week.
@Mutley (Comment 57) : personally I do think it could be a good thing as it will make the team hungry to show they can do better!
Ugh I’m 1 from 2
@coolfusion (Comment 61) : 0 from 2!!! Bad start!!!
I feel for Robert du Preez today,having to plot the downfall of his son.
Big Rob knows everything there is to know about little Rob,all his weaknesses and exactly how exploit them.
What terrible position for a father to be in,especially one who has invested so much of his life to the rugby careers of his 3 sons.
@The hound (Comment 63) : but only this time it’s Rob jnr that won the battle! It’s now 2-0 for Rob jnr as he also beat his dad whilst playing for Maties vs Pukke.