Currie Cup preview (Play-offs)

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

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  • 351.victoriabok: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 19:58 pm

    @suffer_guy-344:

    Wait till you see the cricket scores the Crusaders and Chiefs will post against the Cheeky PDI’s, they might declare at half time 100/0

  • 352.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 19:59 pm

    @trupisero-343: They will probably get a phone call from Julius…..’eish….I demant…thet eeeeee….the imperialist, capitalist Cheetahs must lose to the Kings…..’

  • 353.gunther: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 19:59 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-341:

    through his fingers.

  • 354.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 19:59 pm

    @victoriabok-347:
    hehe
    a mixed emotions moment then.

  • 355.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:00 pm

    @victoriabok-351: Jissus…I cant wait. Going to actually be some good entertainment if you think about it. And I am going to love it ! I am more looking forward to watching the Kings get thrashed than watching my own Sharks play.

  • 356.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:00 pm

    @katman-345: A long long time ago Province won a trophy, and pride rock was full of cash… :)

  • 357.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:00 pm

    @gunther-353:
    hehehe

    s.hit just got REAL… :lol:

  • 358.victoriabok: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:00 pm

    @Dusky-348:

    They won’t play against everyone, remember they play mostly derbies against the remaining SA sides that weren’t shafted by Cheeky and co

    Eina

  • 359.RL: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:00 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-346: train wreck ….. Cheeky kaked a brown spot in his pant called it suffer guy.

    :grin:

  • 360.wnbb: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:03 pm

    @Dusky-326: I don’t support kuk like the sharks and bulls

  • 361.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:03 pm

    @RL-359:
    :grin:

    i think there is going to be some classic cliches from the cappie and coach at the end of this match :grin:

  • 362.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:05 pm

    @RL-359: Or Wnbb – wat nou bruin beer?

  • 363.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:05 pm

    @victoriabok-358: Oh ja…phew thats true…..so for next year I wont need all the Aussie/Kiwi jerseys….was worried about budget you know….

  • 364.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:06 pm

    No disrespect, but imagine what the Lions would have done to the Kings?? again though i am of the opinion it is not the KIngs fault but that of SARU, they could have avoided this by doing their jobs a few years ago, Neither the LIons or the Kings should have been put into this position.

  • 365.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:06 pm

    @wnbb-360: Absolutely fine with me.

  • 366.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:06 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-361: We really believe in the gameplan and the coaches vision.

    And the coach has that 1000 yd stare

  • 367.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:07 pm

    CAn one also imagine if this was the FUll Cheetah team?? Brussow, Goosen? etc??

  • 368.gunther: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:08 pm

    @trupisero-366:

    you don’t **** with solly.

  • 369.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:08 pm

    kings need to focus on basic execution, commit earnestly to the tackle and just be patient and not think about the score but the concentrate on theroad that leads to the score.

    they’re in the deep end by the looks of the first half for sure.

    cheetahs on the other hand need to maintain their 1st half intensity.

  • 370.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:08 pm

    @sharks_lover-364: Kings could have done the honorable thing and said they will not accept a position if it is at the expense of another participating South African union. But they could not help themselves – the African greed set in and they could care less about who perishes along the way. Just as long as they get what they want.

    As I said – I wish them nothing but the absolute worst of luck.

  • 371.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:10 pm

    @sharks_lover-364: You’re too nice. I wish I could find more ways to disrespect the Kings. Any ideas ?

  • 372.RL: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:10 pm

    That filthy Strauss again – goes to ground and gives the ball to the Kings!

  • 373.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:11 pm

    @trupisero-366:
    :grin:

    ‘its all about sticking to our structures and backing each other’

    ‘ag you know things didn’t go right for us on the day’

    ‘but at the end of the day its about getting the basics right’

  • 374.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:11 pm

    Sis man!

  • 375.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:12 pm

    cheetahs going to sleep

    money’s not in the bank yet

  • 376.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:13 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-375: Naka has given Cheeky until 55 minutes to come show the ‘proof of payment’.

  • 377.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:13 pm

    @Dusky-370: I understand Dusky and i also dont agree with how they got into SR, but it still comes down to SARU not doing their jobs

    SARU’s negotiating skill are pathetic, and also knowing this was going to happen could have had the kings playing in the CC 5 years ago,

    BUt i hear Ya

  • 378.victoriabok: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:13 pm

    @Dusky-365:

    We don’t sell papsakke and bokkoms at Loftus anyway, you won’t like it there

  • 379.RL: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:14 pm

    Strauss fuc ker just did the cheets in there – deep on attack gives the kings the ball and they score.

  • 380.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:14 pm

    Sharks lover… Kings have about 9 injuries…. Then also new signings…. Kings will be better than this in super rugby….

  • 381.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:14 pm

    @victoriabok-378: Lived all my life in Pretoria you stupid quim ! :-)

  • 382.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:15 pm

    @Dusky-371: LIfe to short to hate boet, BUt thanks lol

  • 383.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:16 pm

    @suffer_guy-380: You dom doose have no idea what is waiting for you in Super rugby. A little bit better isn’t going to get you anywhere. But – lets wait and see. Will be entertaining for sure !

  • 384.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:16 pm

    strike back

  • 385.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:16 pm

    Fukkit but Whitehead as that proper Forest Hill look on him with that anorexic lip caterpillar

  • 386.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:17 pm

    Kings losing on purpose… They promised cheetahs that they will send a b team and let them stay in the cc if they vote for the kings to play super rugby… Thanks cheetahs….

  • 387.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:18 pm

    @suffer_guy-386: Kings suck dirty a-hole

  • 388.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:19 pm

    Dusky how many super rugby games did the lions win in the last 3 years?

  • 389.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:19 pm

    @suffer_guy-380: NO doubt they will be a touch better mate, but if you think they will really compete against the likes of Sharks, Bulls saders etc etc ?? Cheetahs and Lions are always at the bottom of SR, dont forget that.

    YOu are happy your team is ion, and i am sure my posts will show you i have no problem with the Kings or cheetahs or Lions etc
    SARU was the problem as far as i am concerned, But ur being very naive if you think even with the players out or still to come you will be ready for SR

  • 390.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:19 pm

    @Dusky-376:
    hehe

    i think the kings execs have been writing checks their players can’t cash.

  • 391.victoriabok: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:19 pm

    @Dusky-381:

    Sorry Boet, friendly fire

    It was meant for Passin Gap

    @wnbb-360:

  • 392.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:19 pm

    @suffer_guy-388: What does that have to do with anything ? How many Super rugby games have the Kings won in the last 3 years ?

  • 393.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:20 pm

    @victoriabok-391: :-)

  • 394.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:20 pm

    come on boys….let’s jol :D

  • 395.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:21 pm

    @Transformation-394: nej….boss tjeikie say we can get builders warehouse instead of mica blou koeldrink if we win….but we dont mind mica…..they also have a fridge for their blou koeldrank in PE….

  • 396.RL: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:22 pm

    Min 52 Filthy Strauss takes out Eberohson and himself

    Min 53 Kings score

    Coincedence? I think not.

  • 397.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:22 pm

    @Transformation-394: Kings get some of Lance’s doepa halftime?

  • 398.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:23 pm

    classic

    hahahaha

    intercept by a hooker

  • 399.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:23 pm

    Very lucky cheetahs…. Kings killing cheetahs in the 2nd half

  • 400.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2012, 20:23 pm

    @RL-396: Min 56 other Strauss scores

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