A classic Jukskei Derby takes centre stage in Round Three of the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division this afternoon as the Fidelity ADT Lions host the Vodacom Bulls XV at the UJ Rugby Stadium in Westdene at 17:05 SAST.
The clash presents a fascinating contrast between two teams on opposite trajectories after the opening fortnight of South Africa's premier domestic competition.
The Fidelity ADT Lions head into the derby brimming with confidence. After a heartbreaking, narrow 29-27 opening-round loss to the Toyota Cheetahs, Mziwakhe Nkosi’s men bounced back spectacularly last weekend. They ran in seven tries to demolish the Airlink Pumas 52-29 in Johannesburg, cementing their third-place spot on the log with seven points.
With a staggering 11 tries scored in just two outings, the Lions possess an organic, high-octane attack that thrives on front-foot ball and quick offloads.
Conversely, it has been a baptism of fire for the youthful Vodacom Bulls XV. Anchored to the bottom of the table in eighth place, the Pretoria outfit is searching for their first competition points after bruising away defeats to the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers (24–10) and Suzuki Griquas (56–26). Conceding 80 points across two matches highlights a defensive system under severe duress—one that must be radically fortified to survive this evening.
Lions head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has opted for consistency while injecting thrilling youth into the backline. Lock Ruan Delport captains the side, while the electric Asad Moos gets the starting nod at scrumhalf. The most anticipated selection is Junior Springbok star Gilermo Mentoe, who makes his senior debut at fullback, adding serious counter-attacking venom to the back three.
The Bulls XV have responded to their injury crisis and early-season slump by leaning on champions. Following a season-ending injury to Nama Xaba, experienced Springbok lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg takes over the captaincy to anchor the engine room. Desperate for a spark, the Bulls have thrown six newly crowned World Rugby U20 Championship winners into their matchday 23. Starlets Kebotile Maake, Heinrich Theron, Hendre Schoeman, and explosive winger Lindsey Jansen all start, bringing fearlessness and youthful hunger to the Pretoria side.
Janse van Rensburg and his young Bulls pack must slow down the ball at the breakdown. If the Lions get clean, rapid distribution, their backline will slice the Bulls apart. Expect the Bulls to turn this into a gritty, set-piece-heavy arm-wrestle.
With a debutant at fullback for the Lions, the Bulls' tactical kicking must be pinpoint. Aimless kicking will play directly into the hands of the dangerous Lions counter-attack.
Local rugby analysts and former players are overwhelmingly backing the Johannesburg outfit to maintain their momentum. Across the rugby talk shows and columns this week, three key insights emerged regarding today's Jukskei Derby:
The Bulls’ U20 injection will bring defensive energy, but the Lions' attacking cohesion and home advantage at UJ Stadium should prove too hot to handle. Lions by 14 points.
Teams:
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Keagan Smith, 13 Likhona Finca, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Morne Venter, 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 Ruan Delport (c), 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Mahle Sithole, 1 Morgan Naude. Replacements: 16 Ruan Welman, 17 Cecil Parsons, 18 Ruan Swart, 19 Marco Ferreira, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Zian Cilliers, 22 Matthew Coetzee, 23 Exauce Kevani.
Vodacom Bulls XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Riyaad Bam, 13 Hakeem Kunene, 12 Christiaan Viok, 11 Lindsey Jansen, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Hendre Schoeman, 8 Thomas Beling, 7 Heinrich Theron, 6 Kebotile Maake, 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (c), 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Dian Coetzee, 2 Jaundre Schoeman, 1 Damian Baker. Replacements: 16 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Johnathan Eloff, 20 Abongile Nonkontwana, 21 Cephas van Biljon, 22 Aka Boqwane, 23 Lavela Pongolo.