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Preview: Currie Cup semi-finals
October 10 2008
This year's Currie Cup semi-finals will be rematches of the same fixtures one year ago, with one crucial difference - the Cheetahs must travel to Pretoria to face the Blue Bulls.
The Currie Cup has been won by either the Blue Bulls or the Cheetahs since 2002 (they shared the trophy in 2006). This year, at Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls will be seeking revenge for the 2007 semi-final defeat in Bloemfontein.
It's been twelve years since the Currie Cup last resided in Durban and the Sharks are in a frenzy to set the record straight. They swept all before them during the league phase, losing just two matches en route to topping the log and booking home advantage in the play-offs.
One year ago, the Lions travelled to the 'Shark Tank' and upset their hosts 19-12. History seems to be on the Lions' side because the last time they won the Currie Cup, in 1999, they did it in Durban. This time around however the Sharks line-up is arguably one of the strongest the competition has seen in a long while.
Previews:
Blue Bulls v Free State Cheetahs
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské will be urging the defending champions to avenge the two defeats they suffered against the Bulls in earlier rounds, as they strive to claim their fourth consecutive Currie Cup title - their second under Drotské.
Drotské has a simple take on how to beat the Blue Bulls: the Cheetahs need to dominate physically.
"If you want to beat them you have to hit them hard at the breakdown and dominate the collisions," he said.
Drotské's theory might not be complicated but it will be awfully hard to put into practice against a side reputed to be one of the hardest-hitting teams in world rugby.
Of course, the rough stuff aside, there is also the small matter of having to contend with the partisan Loftus Versfeld crowd. It's never easy in P-Town, and that's not going to change any time soon.
But the Cheetahs know better than anyone that anything is possible on matchday, they have not lost in a Currie Cup play-off match since 2004 (in the Final to the Bulls). The Free Staters beat Western Province - away - in the 2004 and 2005 semi-finals, before upsetting the Bulls in the 2005 Final in Pretoria to claim their first Currie Cup title since 1976. Drotské captained the Cheetahs to that dramatic 29-25 win.
As expected Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has recalled all his big guns after giving them a rest last week. In all, nine Springboks will pull on the light blue jersey, eight of whom will be in the starting line-up.
Full-back Zane Kirchner and openside flank Deon Stegmann are the only survivors from last week's team as centre Wynand Olivier, wing Bryan Habana, scrum-half Fourie du Preez, loose forwards Pierre Spies and Wikus van Heerden, locks Victor Matfield and Danie Rossouw and prop Gurthro Steenkamp all return to the run-on XV, while hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle will warm the bench.
Stalwart John Mametsa will wear the number fourteen jersey in the absence of injured Springbok wing Akona Ndungane. Habana has fully recovered from niggling knee and shoulder injuries to take his place on the left wing.
Drotské's squad has been boosted by the return of three key players. Centre Robert Ebersohn and hooker Adriaan Strauss have been named to start, while flanker Hendro Scholtz is amongst the replacements.
Also fit to start is fly-half Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who was in doubt due to a hand injury but will complete the exciting 10-12-13 combination with Meyer Bosman and Ebersohn. JW Jonker shifts out to the right wing, bumping Eddie Fredericks out of the matchday squad.
Strauss takes over the Cheetahs hooking berth from his cousin Richardt after recovering from a knock to his hip. Scholtz suffered a serious cut to an ear during training but has healed enough to replace Schalk van der Merwe on the bench.
Lock David de Villiers will have to pass a last minute fitness test on his ankle on Friday with Flip van der Merwe waiting in the wings if he is unable to start.
Head to head: Play-offs are often about occupying territory and even more so in the refined air of the Highveld, where a fly-half with a big boot can kick the ball 80 metres. Of course wearing the number ten jersey is about more than just hoofing the ball up field and the decision-making powers under pressure of young pivots Morne Steyn and Jacques-Louis Potgieter will be under the spotlight.
Prediction: The Cheetahs have an impressive record in the Currie Cup play-offs but as Drotské has pointed out, they have lost a lot of players since last year's final and are in something of a rebuilding phase. The young Free Staters probably won't have the muscle needed to wrestle past the Bulls. Blue Bulls to win by seven points.
Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 John Mametsa, 13 Marius Delport, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Derick Kuun, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Juandre' Kruger, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Tiger Mangweni.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Bevin Fortuin, 14 JW Jonker, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 David de Villiers, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Nico Breedt, 19 Hendro Scholtz, 20 Jandré Blom, 21 Hennie Daniller, 22 Kabamba Floors.
Date: Saturday, October 11
Kick-off: 17:00 (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Touch judges: Deon van Blommestein, Joey Salmans
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
Sharks v Lions
ABSA Stadium, Durban
The tussle in the tight phases promises to be an epic battle as both teams have huge packs. Slowing the Sharks possession down and not allowing the Sharks loose forwards space to run will be a priority for the Lions. Images of Ryan Kankowski galloping freely will have been prominent in Lions coach Eugene Eloff's nightmares this week.
Defending like their lives depend on it - like they did against Western Province last week - simply won't be enough for the visitors and they'll have to set up their attacking game.
The Sharks attacking prowess is no doubt - an all-international back-line full of confidence will keep the Lions on their toes.
Eloff has shuffled his side moving regular fly-half Earl Rose to full-back. Rose's decision making in big games has been questionable and the experienced head of Louis Strydom has been called in to play opposite Fred Michalak.
The switch means Louis Ludik moves to right wing dropping young Michael Killian to the bench.
The forward pack that has been in such good form all season remains intact and know they will have a big job on their hands containing the likes of Beast Mtawarira, who revels in open play. Prop Heinke van der Merwe, who has been tauted as a possible Springbok for the end-of-year tour, will have another chance to prove himself against Jannie du Plessis.
The Sharks have made just two changes to their starting XV, both direct swaps from the bench in an unchanged matchday 22.
Bismarck du Plessis will start as hooker in place a John Smit - a fair call considering that Smit has played less than 90 minutes of rugby since early July. The Springbok captain will no doubt make an appearance in the last quarter.
With memories of a certain Super 14 Final and last year's semi-final lost in the dying minutes still haunting them, the Durbanites will be happy to have an experienced head on the field
The other change sees the power of Jean Deysel preferred to the running prowess of Keegan Daniel in the number seven jersey.
A late call will be made on replacement lock Albert van den Berg following a shoulder injury sustained against Griquas. Nikolai Blignaut is ready to step in should need be.
Sharks coach John Plumtree said during the week that the demands of a knock-out match are different to those of a pool match.
"This week there is a lot of pressure and everyone raises their game, because of the intensity of that game, and what it means," Plumtree said.
"We're expecting a really physical tough competition from the Lions, we're not expecting anything different from them."
Head to head With the Springbok squad for the November tour set to be announced after the Currie Cup Final, Jaque Fourie will be out to prove that he belongs in the Bok number thirteen jersey rather than Adrian Jacobs. Fourie hasn't played much rugby since last year's World Cup, but on his day he is one of the best in the business. Jacobs might have an advantage though as on his inside Frans Steyn could outclass Doppies la Grange.
Prediction: The Lions will capable of running with the Sharks for about 60 minutes. But as was the case two weeks ago in Jo'burg, when the Lions legs start tiring and the Sharks unload their bench, the damage will be irrepairable. The Sharks to win by twelve points.
Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (c), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 John Smit, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Albert van den Berg/Nikolai Blignaut, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Bradley Barritt, 22 Waylon Murray.
Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Trompie Nontshinga, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Ernst Joubert,7 Justin Wheeler, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Jannes Labuschagne, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Michael Killian, 22 Jaco van Schalkwyk.
Date: Saturday, October 11
Kick-off: 14:30 (12:30 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Touch judges: Deon van Blommestein, Cobus Wessels
TMO: Johann Meuwesen