Currie Cup preview (Round 10)
12 Oct 2012
GARETH DUNCAN previews this weekend’s action and predicts who will face off in the semi-finals.
SHARKS vs GRIQUAS, DURBAN, FRI 19:10
While Griquas earned a 22-15 win over the Sharks in Kimberley, the Northern Cape minnows will come up against a stronger outfit on Friday night.
John Plumtree has gained significant reinforcements in recents weeks, with players returning from injury and Springbok duty.
Wing JP Pietersen still has his hot Super Rugby form despite spending several weeks on the sidelines because of a broken thumb. The speedster played a key role in the 37-30 win over the Cheetahs in Free State last weekend.
Tim Whitehead’s return from injury sees him partner Paul Jordaan in the midfield. The duo create an exciting centre pairing, and will expose any weaknesses in the opposition defence. To think this is their second-choice centre combination as Frans Steyn will be back next season.
Pat Lambie might still be aching from all the splinters he picked up on the bench during the Rugby Championship, but he’ll be raring to start at flyhalf and prove his worth in the run-on XV.
Skipper Keagan Daniel has been in good form in the Currie Cup since being dropped from the Springbok squad, and he’ll lead a pack that has impressed over the last fortnight.
The Sharks will also have four Boks to call on from the bench in the second half.
Griquas shocked the Lions with a second-half comeback in Kimberley, but they’ll struggle to stay afloat at the Shark Tank against a side that boasts plenty of quality.
The Sharks will cruise to victory and the top spot on the log.
FORM
Sharks WWLWLWLWW
Griquas LLLWWWLW
Sharks – 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (c), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandré Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Subs: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.
Griquas – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Jean Stemmet, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Rynard Landman, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes (c), 1 Steph Roberts.
Subs: 16 Matthew Dobson, 17 Ivann Espag, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Wesley Wilkins, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Richard Lawson.
Gareth’s prediction: Sharks by 15
WP vs FREE STATE CHEETAHS, CAPE TOWN, SAT 17:05
A young WP outfit were outplayed by the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last weekend, but their returning Springboks have boosted the Cape side tremendously.
Where there was once a lack of experience, Province now have the likes of inside centre Jean de Villiers, wing Bryan Habana, No 8 Duane Vermeulen, lock Andries Bekker and hooker Tiaan Liebenberg playing leadership roles. Outside centre Juan de Jongh and lock Eben Etzebeth will also make telling contributions.
Free State have benefited from Bok hooker Adriaan Strauss and prop Coenie Oosthuizen’s availability, but injuries will still see the Cheetahs struggle at Newlands.
They’ll miss flyhalf Johan Goosen (knee) as Sias Ebersohn has been inconsistent in the No 10 jersey. Free State will also have a weakened second row and loose trio, which should see them struggle in the forwards battle.
Without regular front foot momentum, the Cheetahs’ backline will be restricted. They’ll depend on outside centre Robert Ebersohn and wing Raymond Rhule to create some magic, but that won’t be enough.
WP will be too strong for the visitors, and a win will see them avoid the unlikely threat of relegation and seal their semi-final place.
This will see Free State finish last on the log. Without a win, the Cheetahs will need two bonus points to secure safety. However, this will be highly unlikely against South Africa’s best defensive unit. First Division league winners the EP Kings will be waiting for the Bloemfontein team in the promotion-relegation play-offs.
FORM
WP LWLWWLWLL
Cheetahs LWWLLLLWW
WP – 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Don Armand, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Brok Harris, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Jebb Sinclair, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Marcel Brache, 22 Gio Aplon.
Free State Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Francois Uys, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Subs: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Philip Snyman, 22 Ryno Benjamin.
Gareth’s prediction: WP by 12
GOLDEN LIONS vs BLUE BULLS, JOHANNESBURG, SAT 19:10
The Golden Lions have made this an easier challenge for the visiting Blue Bulls.
While Johan Ackermann hasn’t picked an out-and-out second string side, it’s still a weakened team. With the Lions already guaranteed a home semi-final, they can afford to rest utility back Jaco Taute and prop JC Janse van Rensburg, and bench the likes of lock Franco van der Merwe, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and speedster Lionel Mapoe.
Springbok props Pat Cilliers and CJ van der Linde will give the Lions a quality front row, but the Bulls have a strong team to match and outclass the hosts in most positional match-ups.
The Pretoria union will start six of its returning Springboks (to the rejoices of under-fire head coach Pine Pienaar). The Bulls have reportedly struggled without 22 first-choice players for most of their campaign, but will field a near Super Rugby-strength line-up at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The major returns are flyhalf Morne Steyn and the Bok lock combination of Juandre Kruger and Flip van der Merwe. They’ll play key roles during the Bulls’ pursuit for victory.
The forwards battle will be a close one. The Lions’ success in the Currie Cup this season has come through their ability to poach ball regularly and dominate the set-pieces. The Bulls need to secure the ascendancy up front if they want to win this one. The respective loose trios will be huge in this regard.
The Lions are weakened, but will still be competitive. However, the Bulls have more than enough firepower to earn the win that will save them from relegation and sneak them into the play-offs.
FORM
Bulls WLWLLLWLW
Lions WLWLWWWWL
Golden Lions – 15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Butch James (c), 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 CJ van der Linde.
Subs: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Warren Whiteley, 20 Whestley Moolman, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Lionel Mapoe.
Blue Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (c), 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Juandré Kruger, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morne Mellett.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Dean Greyling.
Gareth’s prediction: Blue Bulls by 8
SEMI-FINALS (NEXT WEEKEND):
Sharks vs Blue Bulls
Golden Lions vs WP
PROMOTION-RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS:
Free State Cheetahs vs EP Kings
146 Comments
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12 Oct 2012, 13:58 pm
@rangerman-65: Hougie must move back to scrumhalf. Impact player on the bench. I will include Rhule and Mapoe in the Bok squad for the EOYT. Just to expose them to the Bok culture and so forth.
12 Oct 2012, 14:02 pm
Any news about bolters for the EOYT squad.
I hope Morne is not in the squad though.
Lambie and Elton can handle ish on there own.
12 Oct 2012, 14:24 pm
@Sasuke-102: If Morne kicks 27 from 27 in the next 3 rounds of CC, he can go.
As backup.
But alas, I think he might start against Ireland. No matter what.
12 Oct 2012, 14:26 pm
@Sasuke-101:
Hougie and Lambie (if HM still thinks he’s a fullback, which he isn’t, but anyway) must be our 2 backs on the bench. Can cover 9-15 between them.
Having Lambie and Jantjies on the bench is bloody daft. Rather have an extra foward.
PS I’m saying this believing that Meyer will play Morne at 10
12 Oct 2012, 14:39 pm
I’d love to see the reaction if this story was posted on a US site like Huffington Post about AIG sponsoring the national team of a couple of tiny Pacific islands for some game called rugby.
12 Oct 2012, 14:40 pm
@David-105:
Oops, wrong thread.
12 Oct 2012, 15:26 pm
Hougaard should never be considered for a starting wing berth. Its starting scrummie or bench scrummie and bench wing. We have too much wings in the country for a scrummie to start there.
Here is a whack idea
Is it too late to considered Odwa and Akona for the bok spots?
I wonder what the mental effect and how big a part it would play on the opposition if both of them started on the wings. Just imagine tackling a dreaded flyer, few seconds later you tackling another dreaded flyer. The opposition would think that the Boks are all over them and that they are just on the defensive against wave and wave of attack. Would be very interesting.
They can even switch wings during the game and at half time switch jerseys just in case the opposition decides to target one of them.
I wonder why no Bok coach tried this?
Probably to whack of an idea.
12 Oct 2012, 15:31 pm
@Sasuke-107:
They not Bok quality now hey.
Akona was always better than Odwa in my mind (seemed quicker).
12 Oct 2012, 16:06 pm
@David-76: O’ Driscoll is a “midget” who would never have played a single test for SA. Let alone he is a legend of the game.
12 Oct 2012, 16:26 pm
@londonshark-108: Both Ndungane’s were never good enough to play for Springboks, they were always Provincial material at best.
12 Oct 2012, 16:30 pm
@londonshark-108: Interesting.
I always thought Odwa was the better one of the two (better allround game and skills, good fullback too).
12 Oct 2012, 16:38 pm
@XhosaKid-110: dude i’m convinced one of those cats boned your cherrie in high school, you’ve always had it in for them
12 Oct 2012, 16:53 pm
It is a huge mistake letting Springbok players play in the Currie Cup. As far as I know, All Black players will not compete in their domestic competition, thereby allowing their players crucial rest for the year-end tour. It’s no wonder our players burn out so quickly. I don’t understand why SARU doesn’t make a law that will let Springbok players rest more. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
12 Oct 2012, 17:00 pm
@Riaan26-113:
They can’t, as the Unions own the players contracts.
12 Oct 2012, 17:01 pm
@Riaan26-113: “law”? as long as the unions hold the players contract & not SARU they can’t decree on who to rest & who to play…currently the unions foot the salary bills & SARU tops up for 30 players…
12 Oct 2012, 17:08 pm
@Riaan26-113:
I think the Boks should play. Get their self esteem up. Rid themselves of the HM cancer.
12 Oct 2012, 17:18 pm
It’s a tough one but I would lean towards playing them.
Look at the Aussies, as far as I know they have no domestic championship of any great significance so they sleep now & then get thrown slap back into test match rugby.
Also not good.
12 Oct 2012, 17:34 pm
I bet the Stormers/WP players would want to play even if it meant playing with injuries.
They are desperate for trophy success.
12 Oct 2012, 17:36 pm
So far overcast in Durbs but atleast not raining
Sharks players seem relaxed on the main stand
12 Oct 2012, 17:37 pm
PSDT having a very good game at 7 for the Shaarks under21′s
12 Oct 2012, 17:40 pm
SARU and SARPU needs to instigate a maximum number of games before a mandated rest period for players.
12 Oct 2012, 17:53 pm
@David-121:
That should be “institute”, not instigate
12 Oct 2012, 17:53 pm
S H A R K S S S S S S S s s sss
12 Oct 2012, 18:00 pm
@David-122: Come David, concentrate now, that’s the second bloop I’ve seen today!
12 Oct 2012, 18:02 pm
@Treehugger-123: Ah Treehugger, hi, I was thinking with that story about the giraffe in the Chinese zoo the other day; with their doping record/reputation with regards to swimmers etc can you imagine how fast that giraffe can run now?
12 Oct 2012, 18:03 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-124:
I know, and I’m totally ashamed. In fact there were three.
12 Oct 2012, 18:04 pm
@Treehugger-123:
Are you Gollum?
12 Oct 2012, 18:07 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-125: hahahaha twit !
12 Oct 2012, 18:10 pm
@David-127: Gollum ? Only Gollum I know of is from Lord of The Rings, if you mean do I look like it, Yebo Baby, that’s me to a T.
12 Oct 2012, 18:15 pm
@Treehugger-129:
Yeah, that’s the one, but it was more your sibilant pronouncement.
12 Oct 2012, 18:22 pm
@David-121: Typo aside, that is an excellent idea.
12 Oct 2012, 18:26 pm
Hahahahahaha I just did the Sharks thing ”my precious style” hub reckons it was creepy as hell.
12 Oct 2012, 18:33 pm
@willievz-131:
I thought so as well until I wondered how you factor in the Boks. The EOYTs could see a number of players eliminated because their unions have taken up their allocated game time.
12 Oct 2012, 18:37 pm
@Treehugger-132:
Hub will probably wonder whether he an afford to close his eyes tonight.
12 Oct 2012, 18:38 pm
@David-133:
I’d suggest the contracted Boks must be available to play all tests.
So if a Bok has 5 games left for the year on his quota, of which 3 are reserved for EOYT tests, then he should only be allowed a maximum of 2 games for his union.
12 Oct 2012, 18:44 pm
@willievz-135:
Good idea, but what about the non contract Boks that are usually selected.
12 Oct 2012, 18:47 pm
@willievz-118:
Living in Cape Town is the best trophy of all
12 Oct 2012, 18:53 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-125: did you know a giraffe can last/ live longer than a camel when going without water?
12 Oct 2012, 18:55 pm
off course you didn’t
12 Oct 2012, 18:56 pm
@Jinx2-137: the DA handing out trophys now?
12 Oct 2012, 18:58 pm
the bars here in the verre noord all have like trophys on the walls
12 Oct 2012, 18:59 pm
@shooter-140:
12 Oct 2012, 19:11 pm
@shooter-141:
Aren’t they called bullet holes?
12 Oct 2012, 20:18 pm
@David-136:
Let the same number of games apply to the top 120 (or whatever) players in this country, and that problem will solve itself.
The non-contracted Boks will in all probability play much less games than the contracted Boks, so they will have more games left on their quota once the Rugby Championship finishes (eg Craig Burden).
13 Oct 2012, 09:49 am
@shooter-138: @shooter-139: No, I didn’t…but it makes sense I suppose…longer necks so it takes longer for the critical symptoms to reach the brain…
13 Oct 2012, 10:05 am
@Riaan26-113:
Disagree. Don’t punish the best local comp in the world because of a stupid test and super rugby schedule.
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