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Preview: Currie Cup, Round Six

August 14 2009

Can the Griquas make it an incredible six from six? The leaders face their toughest test yet when the Blue Bulls visit Kimberley on Saturday while the defending champions head to Jo'burg.

Who would have thought that after five rounds the Griquas would be all of nine points clear of the Blue Bulls? Before the season started we suggested the Griquas might be found wanting when it comes to squad depth - so far they've had a pretty good run of things but this week they have been hit by injury and illness. Most of those affected have recovered enough to take the field, but in what condition?

Saturday's clash will be a true test of their status as title contenders.

The other big game of the weekend is of course the Sharks visit to the Lions, where the hosts need a win to keep in touch with then leaders. With four wins on the trot the Sharks campaign is gathering momentum.

The Free State Cheetahs are playing catch-up after their slow start to the season and need to bag ten points in the next two weeks. They start their comeback in Potchefstroom against the Leopards.

A couple of Springboks have been released for Currie Cup duty before heading to Australia. The Blue Bulls and Sharks have seized the chance, Western Province however have chosen not to select Ricky Januarie and Andries Bekker for the Cape Derby in Wellington.

Fixtures:

Friday, August 14

Leopards v Free State Cheetahs

Saturday, August 15

Griquas v Blue Bulls

Boland v Western Province

Lions v Sharks

Standings:

1 Griquas 23

2 Sharks 18

3 Western Province 15

4 Lions 15

5 Blue Bulls 14

6 Free State Cheetahs 5

7 Boland 5

8 Leopards 0

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Previews:

Leopards v Free State Cheetahs
Profert Olën Park, Potchefstroom

A week after recording their first win of the season, the Free State Cheetahs will be eyeing a full house of points away to the winless Leopards. The former champions have zero margin for error and wins with bonus points are a must in the next few weeks if they are to get back into the running.

Already eighteen points behind the leaders, the Cheetahs can forget about finishing top this year - fourth place is all they will care about now.

There had been some suggestions that Naka Drotské might rest a few key players but his intention to pick an unchanged starting XV is a sign of just how desperate the Cheetahs are to get their season moving forward.

Their three-tries-to-nil win over the Bulls last week would have been a massive confidence boost and Drotské is leaving nothing to chance by sticking as close to the same line-up as possible.

There are two forced late changes to the run-on team however as Corne Uys and David de Villiers are suffering from the 'flu.

JW Jonker starts at outside centre and Robert Ebersohn moves inside to take Uys' place. Izak van der Westhuizen moves up from the bench to replace De Villiers in the second row.

There are two changes additions to the bench as Louis Strydom and Phillip Snyman replace Sias Ebersohn and Jonker respectively while captain Adriaan Strauss continues to lead the team.

"As I said before, we were unlucky with quite a few results not going our way earlier in the competition. But hopefully the players will now have the belief that they can continue winning close matches in the Currie Cup," said Drotské.

"In both our next two games we must score four tries," Drotské told the Beeld newspaper.

For the Leopards, flank André Swanepoel will captain in injury-stuck hosts. Four of the home-side's regulars not available through injury.

Regular captain Wilhelm Koch (fractured toe), wing Jan van Zyl (ankle ligaments), scrum-half Michael Bondesio (concussion), centre Deon van Rensburg (hamstring) and hooker Pellow van der Westhuizen (back), are on the injury list. Versatile Jean Tiedt is still ill.

Van Rensburg, the most experienced member of the squad, is replaced by Basil de Doncker.

Bennie Adams replaces Koch on the side of the scrum, Danie Dames makes his run-on debut out of position for Van Zyl, Theo van Wyk replaces Bondesio Tighthead Philip Lemmer is asked to double up at hooker cover on the bench, which costs him a place in the starting XV while Gavin Williamson wears number two.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Francois Uys, 7 Frans Viljoen, 6 Johan Wessels, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Jean Botha, 18 Waltie vermeulen, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tertius Carse, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Phillip Snyman.

Leopards: 15 Russell Jeacocks; 14 Jovan Bowles, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Berndt Theissinger, 11 Danie Dames; 10 Clayton Durand, 9 Theo van Wyk; 8 RW Kember, 7 Bennie Adams, 6 André Swanepoel (c), 5 Draad Linde, 4 Rudi Mathee, 3 Os van der Walt, 2 Gavin Williamson, 1 Divan Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Philip Lemmer, 17 Nardus Lombard, 18 Anthonie Gronum, 19 Ligtoring Landman, 20 Chris Erasmus, 21 Bom Samaai, 22 Cecil Dumont.

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Phillip Bosch

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Griquas v Blue Bulls
GWK Park, Kimberley

This is a massive game for the Blue Bulls. Tauted as championship favourites in the early rounds, their loss to the Cheetahs last week has seen them drop out of the top four. Already nine points behind the Griquas, falling further behind the pacesetters would put the Pretoria heavyweight in a tight position.

We look set for a closely-fought encounter. While it's very hard to look at the team sheets and then bet against the Bulls, the numbers don't lie and the Griquas five-match winning streak does present a compelling argument.

The travelling squad has however been bolster by a few Springboks this weekend. Chiliboy Ralepelle has been given a chance to get some game time and will start on the bench alongside Bok full-back Zane Kirchner, who has recovered from a fractured cheekbone. .

Ralepelle and Gurthro Steenkamp are the only two members of the Bulls' ten Springboks in the Tri-Nations squad for Australasia who have been released by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers for Currie Cup duty this weekend.

Steenkamp continues in his starting role in the front row alongside captain Derick Kuun, who is having an outstanding season.

Dewald Potgieter, who captained the Emerging Boks against the Lions, is back in the side at number eight in place of Pedrie Wannenburg, who moves to the bench.

"Dewald is back from injury and will perform very important work for us as a ball carrier and defender," said coach Frans Ludeke

"He is one of those players who are in the opposition's face for 80 minutes and his skills at the breakdown will be much needed against the Griquas.

""Pedrie on the other hand, who did play for a few weeks, was a bit rusty against the Cheetahs, but he will be used as an impact player and is very effective in this role in the last 30 minutes. He is one of our seasoned campaigners and knows exactly how to play winning rugby."

Amongst the backs injured scrum-half Heini Adams is replaced by the exciting young Francois Hougaard.

Ludeke has reverted to a more conventional bench for this weekend's match after picking two front rows in his squad last weekend. Prop Jaco Engels makes way for the inclusion of Kirchner while Ruan Snyman is the bench as scrum-half replacement.

The Griquas preparations have been hampered by a spate of injuries and illness. As a result, there are three changes to the team - all in the tight five.

Nolan Clark comes in for Brendon Snyman in the second row while Simon Westraadt and Steph Roberts get the nod at prop and hooker respectively with Ryno Barnes Albertus Buckle, who are both sick, bracketed on the bench.

"We have actually achieved nothing yet in this season's Currie Cup, but victory against the Blue Bulls will go a long way in ensuring that we reach some of our pre-season goals later in the competition," said coach Dawie Theron.

"I was very satisfied with the performance of the guys and the guts they showed against Western Province last weekend and I can only hope that they carry on with that kind of confidence against the Blue Bulls on Saturday.

"Playing the Blue Bulls is never easy and you always have to be at your best against them. But the guys believe in what we are doing, so we look forward to the opportunity of testing ourselves against them."

Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Egon Seconds, 13 Jaco Bekker, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Jonathan Mokuena (c), 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Jacques Lombard, 4 Nolan Clark, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Andries Kruger/Rayno Barnes, 17 Albertus Buckle/Zane Killian, 18 Brendon Snyman/Heinrich Stride, 19 Sean Plaatjies, 20 Dougie Helmuth, 21 Trompie Nontshinga, 22 Gavin Passens.

Blue Bulls: 15 Tiger Mangweni; 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Marius Delport; 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Francois Hougaard; 8 Dewald Potgieter, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuün (c),1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Fudge Mabeta, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Zane Kirchner.

Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Willie Roos

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Boland Kavaliers v Western Province
Boland Stadium, Wellington

If ever there was a match with potential for embarrassment for Western Province, it's this one. The Cape derby is seldom a pretty affair when played in Wellington and don't expect anything different this time around.

Western Province are not doing Springbok rugby any favours by not fielding Ricky Januarie and Andries Bekker in their side. Januarie and Bekker were made available by the Springboks and could both have added great value to the Province side which failed in Kimberley last weekend.

WP coach Allister Coetzee's reasons for not picking the duo seem a little unconvincing. When five days is not enough time to find a place for a Springbok scrum-half in your team, something is amiss.

On paper, Province are fielding a side capable of burying Boland in the Wellington swamps, but after defeats there in recent years the 'Streeptruie' will be treading lightly, more so as the current side's limitations were so cruelly exposed by the Griquas.

"It is going to be a challenge for us in Wellington," said Coetzee.

"But going to Wellington has been a banana peel all these years for us

"We cannot go there and take them lightly. It doesn't matter how many players are injured in that Boland side. Whoever puts on that Boland jersey will come out and show us that they are ready."

For the hosts, Fiery hooker Clemen Lewis will lead the Kavaliers with regular captain Conrad Burke sidelined with a fractured rib.

Hein Myburgh moves from outside to inside centre where he replaces the injured Dewey Swartbooi. Lionel Cornelius will now wear the number thirteen jersey.

Marnus Hugo finds himself at scrum-half again, despite being ruled out for three weeks earlier this week with a fractured cheek bone. This clearly shows how desperate coach Deon Davids is not to split his halfback combination of Hugo and Elgar Watts.

A big bonus for Davids is first-choice props, Janro van Niekerk and Kobie Adriaanse, have both recovered from their ankle injuries. Their presence will make a huge difference to the Boland pack.

Boland: 15 Justin Peach, 14 Deon Scholtz, 13 Hein Myburgh, 12 Lionel Cornelius, 11 Ernie Kruger, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Junior Bester, 7 Carel Hoffman, 6 Zolani Mofu, 5 Rito Hlungwane, 4 Nico Esterhuyse, 3 Kobie Adriaanse, 2 Clemen Lewis (c), 1 Janro van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Harry Vermaas, 17 Jané du Toit, 18 Frikkie Spies, 19 André du Toit, 20 Danie van der Merwe, 21 Mark Harris, 22 Llewellyn Adonis.

Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Morgan Newman, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Luke Watson (c), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Adriaan Fondse, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JD Moller, 18 Anton Van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Paul Bosch, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.

Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker

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Lions v Sharks
Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

Two teams coming off the back of wins over smaller unions face off at Ellis Park. While the Sharks easily took care of the Leopards last week, the Lions had to fight tooth and nail to get the better of Boland. The hosts will have to step in up a gear if they are to compete this weekend.

The defending champions will be looking to close the gap on the Griquas at the top of the table while the Lions need a big scalp to smoothen the edges of their erratic season.

Interestingly, the two sides who are both known for their willingness to play exciting, running rugby also boast the best defensive records in the competition, the Lions having conceded just seven tries, one more than the Sharks.

The Lions scrum has come in for a bit of flack this season but former Springbok strongman Marius Hurter, now the scrum coach in Jo'burg, insists progress is being made. Against a well-oiled Sharks pack, they couldn't ask for a sterner test.

The Lions team shows three changes to the starting line-up from last week's victorious team. Dusty Noble coming in for Shandre Frolick on the wing and Herkie Kruger back from injury to start at fly-half in the place of Ruan Boshoff are the only changes to the backline.

Amongst the forwards, the loose trio remains intact as does the front row, with the only change at lock where Willem Stoltz replaces Johan Snyman.

Springbok Tri-Nations squad members Ryan Kankowski, Odwa Ndungane and Jannie du Plessis will be part of the Sharks team heding to Jo'burg.

Ndungane missed last weekend's win over the Leopards due to a hamstring injury, but has recovered sufficiently while Du Plessis will get an opportunity to improve his match fitness with a role off the bench.

Unfortunately, though, Argentinean Juan Martin Hernandez - who suffered an ankle injury on debut last week - is not fit to feature this weekend and Monty Dumond will start at fly-half.

Rory Kockott's shoulder has not as yet healed sufficiently meaning Charl McLeod will continue at scrum-half where he will look to maintain the form that brought him two tries last Friday.

Jacques Botes and Keegan Daniel rotate once again this week, as do Skipper Badenhorst and Craig Burden.

The Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche (c), 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Andries Strauss, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Monty Dumond, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Albert van den Berg, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Michael Rhodes, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Ross Cronjé, 21 Guy Cronjé, 22 Waylon Murray.

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans Van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Wouter Moore, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Derek Minnie, 21 Pieter Engelbrecht, 22 Ruan Boshoff.

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan