Currie Cup preview: Semi-finals
21 Oct 2011
GARETH DUNCAN analyses the key match-ups and picks the winners for Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-finals.
SHARKS vs CHEETAHS, DURBAN, 14:30
Why the Sharks will win: While most South Africans are still mourning the Springboks’ World Cup quarter-final exit, John Plumtree will be overjoyed with the reinforcements he’s gained over the past fortnight. And for this semi-final fixture, the Kiwi coach has brought out his big guns. He’s selected an all-Bok front row (including the best all-round hooker in the game Bismarck du Plessis), powerhouse Willem Alberts, a game breaker in JP Pietersen and a playmaker in Pat Lambie. They all fall into a side that boasts the second-best defensive record in the Currie Cup this season (they have only conceded three more points than WP) and will also strengthen their attacking capabilities. The Achilles heel in this Sharks team is their midfield – a combination that has failed to fire throughout this campaign. Plumtree has selected veterans Marius Joubert and Stefan Terblanche to take charge, but they’ll have to pick up their game to have the upper hand against the younger combination of Andries Strauss and Robert Ebersohn. Despite this, however, the Sharks should still have too much class to lose to the visiting Cheetahs. Barring the centres, this is arguably the strongest team in the Currie Cup.
Why the Cheetahs will win: There’s major hype around the return of 19-year-old flyhalf Johan Goosen to the Cheetahs’ run-on side. And rightfully so – he’s been a standout performer in his debut senior season on attack and with the boot. Although he has a lack of experience, he has the attributes to be a match-winner. The main concern is if he’ll be able to last 60 minutes as he’s been taken off around the half-time mark because of injury more than once in his last six games. Sias Ebersohn will be expected to play a ‘super sub’ role off the bench. While Goosen will be crucial to the Cheetahs’ chances, their loose trio also have a vital role to play. The Sharks showed what they’re capable of against the Lions last weekend once they gained the ascendancy up front. Boom Prinsloo, Ashley Johnson and Lappies Labuschagne will have the responsibility of halting the Sharks’ momentum at the breakdowns and tackle points. The battle between skipper Adriaan Strauss (who would be a regular Test hooker in any other country) and opposite number Bismarck du Plessis will also be immense. However, the Cheetahs’ defensive record at the death this season is a major concern. In hindsight, it’s a problem that’s cost them a home semi-final. It’s unlikley they’ll be able to fix that problem in a week – they are likely to fold in the second stanza.
Gareth’s call: Sharks by 12
Sharks – 15 Pat Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Marius Joubert, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel (c), 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Jean Deysel/Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Eugene van Staden, 18 Marcell Coetzee, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Lwazi Mvovo
Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Cameron Jacobs, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Boom Prinsloo, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Lappies Labuschagne, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Philip van der Walt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Subs: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Johan Wessels, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Nico Scheepers.
LIONS vs WP, JOHANNESBURG, 17:00
Why the Lions will win: Credit must be given to the Lions for their Currie Cup campaign. While the competition field was weakened by the absence of the Springboks, staying at the top of the log for the entire campaign is no easy feat. However, their recent form is a concern, having only won one match in their last four fixtures. That win did come against WP, but they’ll be up against a stronger team this week. It also includes a 53-9 drubbing at the hands of the Sharks last weekend. Allister Coetzee said midweek that nothing can be taken out of that match because John Mitchell made several changes for their trip to Durban. But what can be noted is once the Lions pack is dominated, they struggle. The Lions’ forwards have been central to their domestic success this season, and will need a strong showing if they want to host the final next weekend. You can expect a brave first-half performance up front, but they’ll need to maintain that momentum after the break. Mitchell has also decided to keep Elton Jantjies as his 10 ahead of Springbok Butch James. Jantjies hasn’t been as consistent this season as he was last year, especially with the boot. He’ll need a big performance, and will have the important job of spearheading his team that will face a strong WP backline.
Why WP will win: Province are keen on breaking their six-year domestic losing streak at Ellis Park, and they’ll have their strongest possible team to do so. With six Boks in their run-on side, they look the better team on paper. The main question will be: can their heavies play a commanding role? Against the Pumas last weekend, they faltered in the scrums and their defence has been uncharacteristically shaky in the latter stages of the league phase. They can’t afford that against the Jozi mongrels. If the forwards can win the ascendancy, then half the battle will be won. Coetzee will be hoping his halfback combination of UCT scrumhalf Nick Groom and flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis can step up to the occasion – this is no Varsity Cup playoff. They have looked impressive this year and will be relieved to be facing Jantjies and not the physical James. WP will hope Catrakilis can last the 80 minutes on this occasion, considering Gio Aplon and Conrad Jantjes are the back-up pivots. The midfield of Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie will be instrumental in the way the backline performs and Aplon will be a huge threat in the back three if the game loosens up.
Gareth’s call: WP by 7
Lions – 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon Van Rensburg, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (c), 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco Van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 CJ Van der Linde.
Subs: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Warren Whiteley, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar/Jaco Kriel, 20 Butch James, 21 Dylan des Fountain, 22 James Kamana.
WP – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JC Kritzinger.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 Tertius Daniller, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Juan de Jongh, 22 Conrad Jantjes.
137 Comments
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21 Oct 2011, 12:43 pm
@HHS(Hop Hop Spinnekop)-99: Did you buy your finals tickets in the same dream world where you believe the Lions deserve to be top of the log and the Bulls deserve not to have made a semi-final ? Lala land ? You and old Einstein Duke both ?
21 Oct 2011, 12:44 pm
@HHS(Hop Hop Spinnekop)-99: hoe dan anders, cheers hhs.
21 Oct 2011, 12:44 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-101: nou dink jy die bulle moes daar gewees het,ja miskien in die sharks se plek
21 Oct 2011, 12:46 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-101: einstein???? ek dog jy is dom ?
21 Oct 2011, 12:48 pm
Vodacom Cup Lions 9 – WP 25
21 Oct 2011, 12:50 pm
I would not mind watching this possible prospect of Bismark, Alberts, Kankowski, Daniels and Deysel all on the field at the same time… Curius to see this new development of Deysel at lock. Am pretty sure he is still a flank though but will wait to see this..
How has he played at lock so far?
21 Oct 2011, 12:51 pm
worsee thenn Boks WC exit???
WP winning currie cupp
Go OVS!!!!
21 Oct 2011, 12:51 pm
ongeag van wat gebeer ek dink die naweek se rugby oorskadu die wb finaal imo,jammer maar die wb is nou moerse afgewater.
21 Oct 2011, 12:52 pm
@Lions_is_kak_kak_honde_honde_kak(suffer_guy)-105: dis nie mooi nie ons het die jaar nie een keer gese die sharks b of wp b nie,
21 Oct 2011, 12:53 pm
@Guns(Guns)-106: hulle wil nou al hulle sterre in een span in druk ,ek dink hulle mors hom op slot
21 Oct 2011, 12:59 pm
@Duke01(Duke01)-103: Jy is reg, die Bulle moes daar gewees het. The only team that benefited from the lack of Boks in the Bulls, Sharks and WP sides this Currie Cup was the Lions. The Bulls should have been there in the Lions place.
21 Oct 2011, 13:00 pm
@Duke01(Duke01)-109: You really are a rocket scientist aren’t you ?
21 Oct 2011, 13:03 pm
@Guns(Guns)-106: Deysel hasn’t blown the world away with his performances at lock, but has also not really disappointed. He seems to be getting better. I am pleased that he is getting some time in this position – this could be valuable to the Sharks moving on from here. And just BTW – its not only the Sharks that have had to resort to playing a flank at lock this Currie Cup.
21 Oct 2011, 13:06 pm
@Duke01(Duke01)-108: Ja, en vir julle gaan die Currie Beker finaal ook moerse afgewater wees.
21 Oct 2011, 14:22 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-113: Now she wants to talk rugby???
21 Oct 2011, 14:30 pm
@Dusky – bru ignore these no name brand lions. Hulle is aan die slaap gebore en vaak grootgemaak. WP will put the pathetic lions to the sword. I’m really looking forward to the WP Sharks Final.
21 Oct 2011, 14:33 pm
@Slappes(Slappes)-116: i see you’ve been enjoying this guppy and surrendermonkey show
21 Oct 2011, 14:49 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-34:
21 Oct 2011, 14:52 pm
@Transie, yip its quite entertaining. All these big talking lions appearing out nowhere, and sharkie baiting them. The lions hate the boks being back…
21 Oct 2011, 14:56 pm
Ellispark is kak. The lions are k@kker, the lion mascot has resigned as he decided to join a real circus. Useless pathetic S15 wooden spoon champions!
21 Oct 2011, 15:01 pm
@Slappes(Slappes)-120: hahahahaha yoh
you also decided to fire @ the leeus-ers?
21 Oct 2011, 15:27 pm
Wp wil lose this one….and for one reason…AC!!!!
He is already getting his checklist out and checking the boxes as usual…..
Bok job lined up…..check
Excuses for four more years…….check
Skin colour….check
JW backing…..check
The one he is forgetting for this weekend is playing a team coached by a NZ coach…..CHECK!!!! AC wake up…….I am already reading between the line of your excuses of …..they are a good team, they have played well….we are preparing for the S15, it is goint to be tough……the one handling the pressure better will win……..FFS!!! AC Wake up!
Ask the players….do you want this cup or not…..if you do….go wash out the other team and make sure it is your….even if the sharks get Craig I love the Sharks Joubert agian! You play him and the lions and the sharks of the park……get some back bone AC….you are gutless!
21 Oct 2011, 15:30 pm
@Slappes(Slappes)-120:
no man, if there’s a really kak mascot its that psychopathic looking shark-man at the tank.
21 Oct 2011, 16:07 pm
Lions vs. WP
Altitude gives the Lions an advantage, Kolisi and Maku cancelled each one out, Peiper is an honest Ref and so not expected to favour any side
Lions by 7 to 10
Cheetahs vs Sharks
Johnson’s as bad as the Beast among the forwards and the pair of wings both side cancel each one out, which makes the Sharks the favourite
The Honest Marius Jonker will see to it anyway
Sharks by 14 to 17
21 Oct 2011, 17:33 pm
Cheetahs vs Lion in the final
21 Oct 2011, 18:37 pm
Where do all these new lion fans suddenly come from? They were awol in the S15 – except for RL, Katman and Hhs. Must be ex-bulls crossing over the jukskei?
21 Oct 2011, 19:14 pm
Lions vs Sharks.
21 Oct 2011, 20:19 pm
I don’t think there is much anyone can do for the Lions anymore. Clearly Mitchell has done all that he can as a coach and the rest that has been left to the players has not materialised when the going gets tough.
At some point someone has to acknowlege that the union is in freefall and when the money runs out Lions rugby will be no-more.
21 Oct 2011, 22:00 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-128: Too bad for you there is a lot more money. Keep your eyes open sparky. Fark me these Sharks supporters are clever today.
22 Oct 2011, 01:20 am
in what universe will the worst placed SA Super Rugby team of the past 2 seasons possibly beat the highest placed SA Super Rugby team of 2011 oh yes an Super Rugby,Currie Cup Finalist of last year……..shame on you Wooden Spoon collectors
22 Oct 2011, 04:18 am
The same universe where teams like the Cheetahs and Force lose to all and sundry but beat the Crusaders. It is called sport and there are no foregone conclusions.
22 Oct 2011, 04:22 am
The Lions clearly deserve to be top of the log because they have the
most points. The Bulls don’t deserve to be there because they did not collect enough points. That is where it begins and ends. Anyone who cannot understand that simple principle should go back to colouring in. And avoid the toxic crayons in case you get an urge to eat them.
22 Oct 2011, 07:31 am
Let’s be realistic now…..and stop wanking off in your Lions jersey you dumbass how many times a season does that happen?the Currie Cup had its surprises its the business end of the competitio
22 Oct 2011, 08:59 am
@AssassinWP(Ashraf Ismail)-133: Ok… let’s be realistic. Go and have a look at history and look when was the last time the Lions had some silverware and your beloved WP. So what makes your team so great? It’s all about silverware, no one remembers the losers of a final.
22 Oct 2011, 09:46 am
1999 Lions,2000+2001 WP the fact that we have the most Currie cup titles will for now make us the Greatest domestic team Buddy!!!Also the only way to win Silverware is to make Semi-finals and Finals consistently Guppy I mean Tuna an over the past 2 seasons we heading in the right direction,the Lions top the log because of +30 Boks missing from the CC an all of a sudden they the Cat’s Whiskers(haaa haa no pun intended)
22 Oct 2011, 09:47 am
1999 Lions,2000,2001 WP the fact that we have the most Currie cup titles will for now make us the Greatest domestic team Buddy!!!Also the only way to win Silverware is to make Semi-finals and Finals consistently Guppy I mean Tuna an over the past 2 seasons we heading in the right direction,the Lions top the log because of +30 Boks missing from the CC an all of a sudden they the Cat’s Whiskers(haaa haa no pun intended)
22 Oct 2011, 21:06 pm
@Slappes(Slappes)-126: Hey Slappes nou wat se jy nou?
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