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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19 Oct 2012, 20:23 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-390: Nooit. You can be sure these entitlements have a lot of political backing. But, Cheeky is in for a surprise if he thinks anyone will leave a white boy in the drivers seat of the gravy train for long. He better grab what he can and quickly.
19 Oct 2012, 20:23 pm
and he scores
19 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm
Fokkit….back and forth try scoring….
19 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm
Credit to the Kings, they still hanging in there and trying 36-14
19 Oct 2012, 20:28 pm
@sharks_lover-404: Have you thought about what you are saying ? These are the first division champions – they are playing against the team that finished the Currie Cup in last place and getting a hiding…..a team that finished halfway down the second half of the Super 15 log this year.
Are you hearing this ? Say it to yourself a few times…..and tell me what you think ?
19 Oct 2012, 20:29 pm
@RL-396:
The Kings will have a hard time to make any headway in the S15
Cheetahs are k@k, no mystery why they’re playing relegation
19 Oct 2012, 20:29 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-402: Check didn’t arrive in the Cheetahs coaching box. Here we go. last 20 minutes = Cheetahs 40 – Kings 0.
Cant wait to hear what kak gets said at the end of this game.
19 Oct 2012, 20:30 pm
@victoriabok-406: How many wins do you think the Kings will get next year ? And against who ?
19 Oct 2012, 20:31 pm
@Dusky-401:
i would think cheeky watson has already made a significant return on investment so far. he’ll walk away a much wealthier man than when he started.
19 Oct 2012, 20:32 pm
Now we know why these cowards didn’t want a promotion/relegation playoff against the Lions.
19 Oct 2012, 20:32 pm
Hiekommiekaknou…
19 Oct 2012, 20:32 pm
Kings will win these two matches easily – but it is going to hurt them in the long run. They get two weeks less rest and can expect payback in the form of injuries next year.
19 Oct 2012, 20:33 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-409: Oh for sure. No doubt. That’s why I say – grab what you can while you can. It wont take doff Gumede too long to realise whats going on in front of him…..
19 Oct 2012, 20:33 pm
@Dusky-407:
flip, anoth try.
its getting too easy
this could easily go above 50
kings body language is not good.
@sharks_lover-404:
true, but only just.
19 Oct 2012, 20:34 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-414: They are fooked now. Cheetahs will run in another 4 or 5 tries before this game is done.
19 Oct 2012, 20:34 pm
@Dusky-405: I am merely talking about this game Dusky, read my previous posts, Like i said to saffa guy, they are playing a very weak Cheetah team, who also have a few injuries like Goosen and Brussow, so no i dont need to revisit what i said.
19 Oct 2012, 20:36 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-414: LOL BB i know, and now its 46-14, no doubt 50 plus comming
19 Oct 2012, 20:37 pm
@sharks_lover-416: So flippancy aside – realistically;
1. What do you feel the Kings can expect from the Super 15 ?
2. What do you think the Super 15 gains from the Kings ?
3. How many games do you think the Kings will win next year ? And against which opposition ?
19 Oct 2012, 20:37 pm
Come on Cheetahs !
19 Oct 2012, 20:38 pm
@Dusky-418: YOu ask questions you already know answers too,
19 Oct 2012, 20:39 pm
@Dusky-405:
The Bulls were CC champs 2002-2004 and didn’t do squat in the S12, like the Lions
It took the Bulls five years to build up enough depth to win the S14
Even if Cheeky buys fifteen Super players it would take at least a three years to achieve anything,
And remember most of these guys on the field tonight will be playing S15 next year, so he’ll need guys to play CC or after tonight 1st Division again
19 Oct 2012, 20:39 pm
I wonder how many of these Kings players are still lus to play super rugby.
19 Oct 2012, 20:41 pm
E-ntitlement
P-leading
K-ak
I-ncompetent
N-owhere
G-obshyte
S-hit
19 Oct 2012, 20:41 pm
boks could take notes on cheetahs ball protection in the rucks.
19 Oct 2012, 20:43 pm
50 up. 8 tries v 2
Nuff said
19 Oct 2012, 20:43 pm
penalty try against the KIngs
so 53-14 now
19 Oct 2012, 20:44 pm
@trupisero-423:
19 Oct 2012, 20:44 pm
dusky: we’re in the Super 15 boet, let it rest
19 Oct 2012, 20:45 pm
ag shame man
i havn’t seen a penalty try given in quite a while now.
poor kings
they should just play for pride now
19 Oct 2012, 20:46 pm
Huge huge huge gap between the currie cup and the currie cup premier and loser division.
19 Oct 2012, 20:47 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-429: Kaplan thought he better score before time runs out
19 Oct 2012, 20:48 pm
@Transformation-428: Should blacks have said ‘Apartheid is law now – let it rest…’ ?
You would love that, except you will not get it. The attitude toward the Kings will stay the same, every game will be a test for them and they will have to explain how they got into Super rugby each time they take a hiding.
Its the price to pay when you get something you dont deserve.
19 Oct 2012, 20:49 pm
@RL-430:
When do they play the second game?
19 Oct 2012, 20:49 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-429: Shame fokkol ! I say LEKKER !
19 Oct 2012, 20:49 pm
Right, what do they have to say now?
19 Oct 2012, 20:50 pm
Cheets take 5 points and +40 points into the second leg.
Do the calculation to see what the entitled white boys from PE have to do to get into the Currie Cup.
19 Oct 2012, 20:51 pm
5 log points and a points difference of 39 points to overcome. Lets be realistic here…..call it a day Kings. Admit you are out of your league and back out.
19 Oct 2012, 20:51 pm
@trupisero-431:
just cos there’s a free lunch going on doesn’t mean anyone can sommer join the buffet
19 Oct 2012, 20:52 pm
@RL-436: Yep – its impossible already. F$%ken w@nkers.
19 Oct 2012, 20:52 pm
@RL-436: yjup impossible task for the Kings, to win with bonus point and atleast 41 points next week lol
19 Oct 2012, 20:53 pm
Waars Antie Lou nou?
DIS LEKKER OM ‘N EP KING TE WEES!
Lekker kak ja.
19 Oct 2012, 20:53 pm
@trupisero-423:
@victoriabok-433: next Friday
19 Oct 2012, 20:53 pm
@Transformation-428: And of course, I will do my little bit to perpetuate it as much as possible. Tirelessly. Just because I had a few buddies that supported the Lions, and just because I believe in fairness and not politically forced non-merit BS.
19 Oct 2012, 20:53 pm
Lions would have won this match by atleast 60
19 Oct 2012, 20:54 pm
@RL-436: You are still not playing super rugby next year……oh yes it’s true
19 Oct 2012, 20:55 pm
@Dusky-443: You mean you dont have any EP friends? In this day and age? Verkrampte fokker.
19 Oct 2012, 20:56 pm
@wnbb-445: Neither will you lot. You will be watching from behind he posts. I see SR’s 1st century coming up next year
19 Oct 2012, 20:57 pm
@RL-442: I sympathise with you guys honestly. Losing a place in the Super 15 followed by the player exodus are one category of kak, but in an absolute league of its own is being deposed by a useless imposter.
I mean I am so happy the Kings got shafted hard by the Cheetahs but if I were a Lions fan – it would make it even worse for me.
There is no integrity left in Super rugby, at least within the South African group. I would happily see the Sharks join whatever competition the Lions would like to create. Obviously money talks though….
19 Oct 2012, 20:58 pm
@trupisero-446: I dont just have EP friends dude…..I have EP family…..
Doesn’t mean it changes my perspective on the Kings.
19 Oct 2012, 21:00 pm
@Dusky-434:
ag at some point you’ve got to feel sorry for the little guy who’s clearly out of his league. this was like watching a pro fighter from a heavyweight division moering a plucky ameture from two divisions down with lots of heart, stukkend.
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