Currie Cup preview (Play-offs)
19 Oct 2012
GARETH DUNCAN analyses this weekend’s play-offs.
SEMI-FINALS
SHARKS vs BLUE BULLS, DURBAN, SAT 16:30
These two teams have enjoyed the returns of several Springboks, which contributed to their wins last weekend. However, I think John Plumtree’s management of his Test players will be key in what happens at Kings Park.
Plumtree learnt a hard lesson in last year’s final at Ellis Park as his fatigued Boks, who had returned from the World Cup a fortnight before, were rushed into the starting XV and failed to make an impact. The Lions won that title decider 42-16.
However, this year, the Kiwi coach has eased his Test players back into the team and has rewarded the others who made telling contributions to the Sharks’ run to the top of log with starting spots.
The Sharks have the best backline in the competition, and they have an in-form, young halfback pair in Cobus Reinach and Pat Lambie to spearhead them. The hosts also have a strong pack, and the returns of tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis and flank Marcell Coetzee are valuable promotions to the forwards this weekend.
The Bulls have a near-Super Rugby strength side available, but they can’t afford the start they experienced against the Lions. They’re facing the Sharks, who are the best attacking team of the competition and boast the best defensive record.
The Bulls will need to get early momentum, and this will depend heavily on their forwards and the performance of flyhalf Morné Steyn. Considering their poor domestic run this year, it would be a massive achievement.
However, the Sharks should be good enough to restrict the visitors and end their hopes of a fairytale turnaround in this year’s Currie Cup.
FORM
Sharks WWLWLWLWWW
Bulls WLWLLLWLWW
Sharks – 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (c), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandré Marais, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Subs: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Steven Sykes/Peet Marais, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Meyer Bosman.
Blue Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (c), 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morné Mellett.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Dean Greyling.
Gareth’s prediction: Sharks by 12
GOLDEN LIONS vs WP, JOHANNESBURG, SAT 19:00
Both teams will have fresh memories of the Lions’ 22-9 victory at Newlands a fortnight ago. But this will be a stronger Province team the Johannesburg union will be facing this weekend.
WP cruised to victory against the Cheetahs at home during the last league round, thanks to the return of their seven Springboks. The likes of Tiaan Liebenberg, Andries Bekker, Duane Vermeulen, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh added much-needed grunt and bolstered the side.
However, the loss of De Villiers, Liebenberg and Bekker to injury will be telling. I don’t think Marcel Brache and De Kock Steenkamp are good enough to fill the gaps left by the players they’ve replaced. Siyabonga Ntubeni isn’t as imposing as Liebenberg, but he has impressed me during the Currie Cup this season and Allister Coetzee will hope the youngster does a good job on match day.
Province will need their heavies to front their battle as they come up against the strongest pack of the Currie Cup. The Lions rested the likes of JC Janse van Rensburg, Jacobie Adriaanse and Franco van der Merwe last weekend, and will come out firing at Ellis Park.
The strengths of the Lions have been their set-piece execution and their ability to slow down and poach ball at the breakdowns. If they can replicate that form this weekend, they’ll have the platform to beat WP.
Expect both flyhalves to play a vital role with the boot.
FORM
Lions WLWLWWWWLL
WP LWLWWLWLLW
Golden Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (c).
Subs:: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Hendrik Roodt, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Butch James, 22 Deon Helberg.
Western Province – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Marcel Brache, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Don Armand, 6 Deon Fourie (c), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Carstens, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19 Jebb Sinclair, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Damian de Allende, 22 Joe Pietersen.
Gareth’s prediction: Lions by 5
PROMOTION-RELEGATION PLAY-OFF, 1ST LEG
FREE STATE CHEETAHS vs EP KINGS, BLOEMFONTEIN, FRI 19:10
Usually, Free State would’ve been the easy pick to win this contest.
But losing 13 first-choice players is an injury crisis most teams would struggle with. Their inconsistent form on the domestic stage this season is also a concern. However, they still have a team strong enough to beat the First Division champions at home.
Free State will target the forward battle. The return of flanker Lappies Labuschagne is a major boost for the loose trio, while Adriaan Strauss will be a key feature in the front row. If the hosts gain the ascendancy up front, their dangerous backline will cause some problems for EP.
The Kings have lost five players to injury over the last fortnight, with the big blows being in-form skipper Luke Watson and lock Darron Nell. The men from PE also struggled under pressure against a physical Pumas outfit last weekend, and they’ll face a stronger unit in the Cheetahs, who have some hard men up front.
Free State should win the first leg, but the interesting fixture will be the second play-off in PE next weekend.
FORM
Cheetahs LWWLLLLWWL
EP Kings (First Division) WWWWWDWWWWWWDWWWWW
Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Phillip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Izak van der Merwe, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Marcel van der Merwe
Subs: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Davon Ruabenheimer, 20 Tewis du Bruyn, 21 Phillip Snyman, 22 Rayno Benjamin.
EP Kings – 15 SP Marais, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Wayne Stevens (c), 12 Shane Gates, 11 Michael Killian 10 Wesley Dunlop, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Cornell Du Preez, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Devin Oosthuizen, 5 David Bullbring, 4 Reynier Bernardo, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Jaco Engels.
Subs: 16 Frank Herne, 17 Andre Schlechter, 18 Wayne van Heerden, 19 Mpho Mbiyozo, 20 Scott Mathie, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Norman Nelson.
Gareth’s prediction: Free State by 10
485 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] 5 6 7 8 9 10 » Show All
19 Oct 2012, 10:43 am
@Heavens Game-145: @sharks_lover-146: You 2 fellows already cast your 10 votes for the day for Keegan to win ‘Player of the Year’?
That Sharksworld bunch have to be commended, they put the OB into obsession, I’ll give them that.
I see the Sharksworld folk have got a massive ‘Vote for Keegan’ campaign rolling…… From 1% of the votes, he has taken a clear lead in 2 days
Good work fellows – that little piggy on the backs of the Argie maul will soon be forgotten
This is all such fun, it’s like Pop Idols.
19 Oct 2012, 10:44 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-151: And Pat Lambie is in 3rd place (tied with Habana…)
Oh the power of the pre-pubescent vote
19 Oct 2012, 10:45 am
@Heavens Game-142: the 20th you mean….
@Heavens Game-148: Hope so… cause these bulls reckon they are the real deal after just beating the lions…
19 Oct 2012, 10:46 am
@Heavens Game-148:
Booked your tickets for France yet?
19 Oct 2012, 10:50 am
WP at the Lions: Jonker’s the referee, a good SARU appointment
The Lions will lose it and this time not ONLY because of Jantjies
WP by 12 plus
Bulls at the Sharks: Lawrence – Mark, not Bryce – is the referee, I have the hunch that SARU would like to see Chilibooi in the Final and Lawrence already shafted few teams this season who played WP and the Bulls, he is up to the job!
Bulls by 5-7
19 Oct 2012, 10:50 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-152:
19 Oct 2012, 10:51 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-151: theres 10 votes?
I only voted once lol, so imma go back and vote more
19 Oct 2012, 10:52 am
The Kings are the new Stormers on Keo
19 Oct 2012, 10:53 am
@Provvas-153: WIth merit, seeing that it was the only time they’ve played with a full strength team in this glorified Vodacom Cup tournament. Will wait and see.
19 Oct 2012, 10:55 am
@Hondo-155: Agree with that 100%
19 Oct 2012, 10:57 am
You go my little guppies – teach those cows a lesson in running rugby. I know you will make me proud.
JC your brokebacks are going down.
19 Oct 2012, 10:58 am
@Blue Label-159: Against the Lions that had their Vodacom cup team on the field? It was still 29 – 29 after 69 minutes….
I think the blinkers will come off in the tank tomorrow…
19 Oct 2012, 11:00 am
@sharks_lover-157: Do you not read your Sharksworld internet memos?
WTF is wrong with you????????????????????????????????????? And you call yourself a Shark fan? Tskfuckingtsk.
Let me assist you:
“I’d like to make an impassioned plea, if I may, for all Sharks fans to give strong consideration to voting for Keegan Daniel. The risk with so many Sharks in the running for the prize is that the vote from Sharks fans may end up so diluted that none of our boys ends up winning. My feeling is that off the candidates, Daniel has had the strongest season all round; I think it would also send a pretty strong message to the Bok selectors if the man they dumped without a fair shot to shine ends up winning the award (or, at least, the popular vote).
Let’s put our personal favourites aside this year, of that’s ok, and unite as a Sharks support base to vote for our captain?”
and then:
something about being allowed one vote a day – an additional 10 votes in total :
(I do think your campaign manager should perhaps have another chat to the voters though, as it seems there are those who didn’t understand his orders, or they have pulled a fast one. For Lambie to be in 3rd place….and JPP hot on his heels, it means some Sharkies are disobeying explicit voting orders…….)
19 Oct 2012, 11:00 am
@RL-161: Were Tiaan and Bekker to play I would have said Wp, but the forwards are not going to give enough ball to the backs…
Lions by 6 only to be slaughtered at the Tank the following week
19 Oct 2012, 11:02 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-163:
hey you will be proud of me i just gave Etsebeth 1 vote 
19 Oct 2012, 11:03 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-163:
Sounds like we are dealing with the Idols fan base here.
19 Oct 2012, 11:03 am
@Provvas-164: Must say the loss of 3 Boks at this stage is not good for WP.
19 Oct 2012, 11:04 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-163: where is all this voting happening?
19 Oct 2012, 11:05 am
@gunther-166: UHm miss Pedicure there forgets for kaking on me for not voting and thus MArcel did not make the selected group
19 Oct 2012, 11:07 am
PREDICTIONS
Sharks vs Bulls
After watching Boots and All, you have to believe that the Sharks believe that this game is in the bag, as most of their players made mention of a home final. One thing is for sure: They are wearing the favourites tag with pride. And favourites they are. Finishing top of the log gives you that sense of invincibility. Managing that confidence is key here. Intellegent management of confidence will see a happy Shark tank leaving the stadium tomorrow. Dumb management of confidence will lead to arrogance, and this is what I am seeing in the Shark team at the moment. An arrogant team will fail dismally agains a Bulls team that’s being written off by most. The return to form of Morne Steyn, and returning Boks like Francois Hougaard, Kirchener, Steyn and some of the forwards is an entirely different beast (no pun intended). If the Bulls play to their full potential, this should be a good game. No more than 5 points in it. Confidence management of Sharks will determine which side will get that 5 point margin.
Lions vs WP.
The wheels were coming off for Province in the couple of games prior to the return of the Boks. Those wheels are now put back, and lock nuts tightly secured. This is an easy one to call. The Lions, although they are defending champs will not have enough answers to the questions that will be asked from the returning Boks of WP. WP to take this one by 10 – 15 points.
19 Oct 2012, 11:10 am
@sharks_lover-165: I’m sure Eben will be most grateful. Although he has already won the WP Player of the Year award, so I’m not sure the SARU award will mean quite as much as the WP one
@gunther-166: This is Idols gone viral…
@Transformation-168: This is what the Daniel campaign seem to be using?
https://www.facebook.com/springboks/app_332484066805691
19 Oct 2012, 11:13 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-171: Pedigree, I wont be unhappy if Eben does win, he as a kid has had a brilliant year.
19 Oct 2012, 11:14 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-171: Voting is via the Springboks’ Facebook page and closes on Wednesday, 24 October at noon
19 Oct 2012, 11:23 am
Interesting.
The Rugby 365 guys have the Bulls to win by 5 or less.
Hum. Dinger.
19 Oct 2012, 11:24 am
Lions been playing good rugby so far. Don’t believe they will just give the game away. WP in for a surprise tomorrownight. WP always look good on paper but paper don’t win you games
But on the other hand , who says we can’t beat the lions at home ? Who says the Bulls can’t beat the sharks at home. Bulls been there done that before. Morne will win this game for the Bulls tomorrow , sorry sharks. Lions , the storm is on it’s way.
19 Oct 2012, 11:26 am
@John Galt-174: Yup John very much mixed predictions going around, Gonna be 2 very tough matches tomorrow
19 Oct 2012, 11:27 am
igqbhukile kanene , ndisafuna la mntwana angxamayo
19 Oct 2012, 11:28 am
The one newspaper that will really be bummed on Sunday, Is The Rapport If the Sharks win, they will go straight to the back or middle of the sport pages. If the Bulls win front page news. Thats a fact, have never seen a news paper so bias.
But the Sharks will not mind taking the back page……..Go Sharks.
19 Oct 2012, 11:31 am
You have to give credit to the Sharkievarkies for their KD campaign …no matter how fisgraceful it might seems.In my opinion JPP was the best shark during super rugby,but hey,these okes are determined to show middle finger to Heyneke.Good luck to them
19 Oct 2012, 11:31 am
@nkqo6-177: eish
Teachers ace tender ventures
THANDO MGAGA | 19 October, 2012 00:38
At least 2485 KwaZulu-Natal teachers are in business with the education department, officials said yesterday.
The teachers have mainly been providing transport and catering services for government events and supplying cooked food for the schools’ nutrition programme.
The department told members of the standing committee on public accounts yesterday that, in the past two financial years, 3314 of its employees were in business with it to the tune of R152-million.
KwaZulu-Natal education department head Nkosinathi Sishi said 75% of those are teachers.
Public servants were asked to furnish the department with confirmation of whether they had been granted permission to conduct business with it, Sishi said, and 1872 responded to the request.
Those who failed to respond have been charged with misconduct.
Legislators said they were puzzled that teachers found time to conduct businesses when their core function was to educate pupils. Education MEC Senzo Mchunu said he had, many times, called for public servants to cease doing business with the department.
He said: “This is [an] area of stubbornness. We tell them not to do business with the department, [but] they continue.”
19 Oct 2012, 11:32 am
@Blue Label-170: I get what you are trying to say. But claiming Morne is back in form, is a little optimistic.
19 Oct 2012, 11:35 am
Transformation, with al these quotas, fraud, money laundering, corrupt government officials etc ..dont you miss apartheid?
19 Oct 2012, 11:36 am
We need Morne to have a blinder tomorrow …just to give him the confidence for the EOYT.
19 Oct 2012, 11:41 am
DIS LEKKER DIS LEKKER
DIS LEKKER OM ‘N EP KING TE WEES
19 Oct 2012, 11:45 am
@mamma_lou-184: well ma’am, good luck for your match tonight
19 Oct 2012, 11:45 am
@suffer_guy-182: nothing has changed the shoe was just on the other foot mos..
19 Oct 2012, 11:47 am
@Sharkie10-181: 7 from 8, and brilliant pin-point tactical kicking is pretty good form, I’d say…
Look, this game should be won by the Sharks. I just feel that the Sharks are not respecting a pretty good Bulls side. Arrogance has been the downfall of many a side. AB’s in 2007 the perfect example. As is the 2009 Cheetahs, and the 2011 Bulls sides, These guys need to understand that previous results means nothing in these games. It’s ONE game, and its over. Beat the Bulls, then start worrying about hosting a final.
19 Oct 2012, 11:51 am
@Blue Label-187: Like a said, i agree with you. But kicking 7 from 8 may mean his found his kicking form, but still not his playing, attacking, defensive form. Kicking may win you matches, but not always the reliable outcome.
19 Oct 2012, 12:01 pm
@Blue Label-187: Sorry mate, one or 2 supporters does not speak for the team,
Read all the press stories and Bulls are doing all the talking,Sharks are even staying out of the press, so dont get to confused, the Sharks are not underestimating anyone, they know exactly whata waits them 2morrow
19 Oct 2012, 12:07 pm
@Transformation-180:
“This is [an] area of stubbornness. We tell them not to do business with the department, [but] they continue.”
This is incredibly funny, its as if this oke genuinely does not realise that it is the department that is doing the business with the teachers and not the other way round.
19 Oct 2012, 12:08 pm
@sharks_lover-189: No supperters mate. These comments came straight from Coah Plum and Keegan.
I can’t wait for tomorrow’s games. Going to be great. We sit though an entire year’s weakened teams and below-par performances for these clashes.
Good luck to the semi-finalists and the Cheetahs.
19 Oct 2012, 12:08 pm
@mamma_lou-184: DIS LEKKER OM GESUIP TE WEES
19 Oct 2012, 12:11 pm
Anyone know who the refs are?
19 Oct 2012, 12:12 pm
@Blue Label-187: Sorry Blue Label I also watched B&A last night and yes the Sharks players talked of playing in the semi and final, it was not as if they were taking it as a given that they would be there, they were reiterating that they had done the hard yards and would have a home final (obviously if they win the semi) I think they know very well what a massive task awaits them.
19 Oct 2012, 12:12 pm
@wing_14-193: lawrence for bools / sharks and Jonker for the other jokers
19 Oct 2012, 12:13 pm
@RL-161: I am amazed the Lions fans are so confident, actually, I like it. You go girl .. tsk tsk
19 Oct 2012, 12:14 pm
@trupisero-195:Thanks. Shark can be lucky it’s not Joubert. He is the biggest bull fan on this planet …. just ask any WP supporter
19 Oct 2012, 12:18 pm
@sharks_lover-185:
thank you, you are most gracious. i would say good luck with your game tommorrow, but you don’t need luck.
19 Oct 2012, 12:21 pm
@trupisero-192:
dit is so ja. vat die suurgeit weg
19 Oct 2012, 12:21 pm
Sharks to beat the Bulls by some margin but Province to win by no more than 7 points. Sharks Province final would be fantiastic and give WP another crack at the trophy. It would be the only 50/50 final, maybe slight advantage to Sharks with home support. Whoever wants it most and performs on the day should take it. Maybe I’m being too optimistic as a WP supporter (here we go again)
Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] 5 6 7 8 9 10 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.