As teams move into “must-win” territory, the intensity in the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division is set to rise by a few notches, with the Sigma Lions facing a big task at hand when they travel to Cape Town to tackle DHL Western Province today @ 19h00.
The Capetonians have one game in hand over their opponents, who will be going all-out to repeat their 38-32 victory in the second round. A loss by the Lions will be the final nail into their play-off aspirations while a win for the DHL Western Province could promote them into playoff territory on the log.
There are seven changes to the DHL Western Province team for their Carling Currie Cup encounter tonight.
Following the short turnaround from their game on Sunday, there are four changes to the forward pack and three in the backline for the clash with the Johannesburg team, which kicks off at 19h00 on Wednesday.
Upfront props Dian Bleuler and Neethling Fouche will start on either side of Scarra Ntubeni, with Ernst van Rhyn back in the starting line-up to captain the team at lock.
In the loose trio, Deon Fourie starts at the openside flank, with Nama Xaba among the replacements having played for 80 minutes in the previous three matches.
There is a rotation at scrumhalf with Godlen Masimla in the starting XV and Paul de Wet on the replacements bench, while the other two changes to the backline see centre Ruhan Nel and wing Sergeal Petersen both make their return.
DHL Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said that the players are ready to give everything in what is their last home game of the regular season.
“We have not had much time since our last game on Sunday, but we have embraced that challenge and we are excited to see what this combination can do.
“We have got some quality players returning to the team and we are ready to give it a full go at Newlands,” he said.
Injuries to several Sigma Lions from the Toyota Cheetahs and Vodacom Bulls matches, as well as Covid-19 protocols, has forced changes to coach Ivan van Rooyen’s selection for this mid-week Carling Currie Cup clash.
Jannie du Plessis, Carlu Sadie and Mark Snyman will sit this match out, while Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Chergin Fillies and MJ Pelser will don the red and white jersey. Ruan Dreyer is on family responsibility leave due to the birth of his twins.
Burger Odendaal will captain the side, with Emmanuel Tshituka returning and Morne Brandon getting an opportunity off the bench.
Prediction: DHL Western Province by 3
DHL Western Province: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Dan du Plessis, 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Tim Swiel, 9. Godlen Masimla, 8. Evan Roos, 7. Johan du Toit, 6. Deon Fourie, 5. David Meihuizen, 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 3. Neethling Fouche, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Leon Lyons, 18. Sazi Sandi, 19. Nama Xaba, 20. Marcel Theunissen, 21. Paul de Wet, 22. Cornel Smit, 23. Tristan Leyds, 24. Simon Miller, 25. Chris Schreuder.
Sigma Lions: 15. EW Viljoen, 14. Stean Pienaar, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal (capt.), 11. Rabz Maxwane, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Andre Warner, 8. Travis Gordon, 7. Sibusiso Sangweni, 6. MJ Pelser, 5. Ruben Schoeman, 4. PJ Steenkamp, 3. Chergin Fillies, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Nathan McBeth. Replacements: 16. Morne Brandon, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Emmanuel Tshituka, 20. Mandisi Mthiyane, 21. Ross Cronje, 22. Dan Kriel, 23. Manuel Rass.