DHL Western Province will host the Vodacom Bulls tonight at DHL Stadium @ 20h00 in Round 2 of the 2022 Carling Currie Cup.
Both teams are still unbeaten in this year's competition. The Vodacom Bulls were made to work hard against the Pumas (33-19) in Nelspruit while Western Province came out on top (48-36) against the Lions in a twelve try festival.
The coaches of both teams made it clear that the battle up front will be vital in their game plans. The battle of the loosies will once again be the highlight of the game with Western Province's loosies the younger and maybe more exciting combination.
The exciting backline of Western Province with Tim Swiel as the general will test the defence of the Bulls to their limit. The Bulls' backline is on the other hand the more abrasive combination that can defend as well as attack at the top level.
The defence of Western Province against the Lions was leaking several easy tries, if not attended to the lack of defence could well be the deciding factor.
Expect a close and brutal game with Morne Steyn's ability to win close games with the boot, maybe just maybe will see the Bulls travel back to Pretoria with a close win in the bag, however ...........
Marcel Theunissen will start at flank in one of three changes to the DHL Western Province forward pack.
There are no changes to the backline that started against the Sigma Lions.
Theunissen is joined in the loose trio by skipper Nama Xaba and Keke Morabe, who makes his first start at No.8, with Simon Miller shifting to the second row.
Seasoned prop Ali Vermaak makes his return from injury on the replacements bench, with tighthead prop Corne Weilbach, hooker Jacques Goosen and loose forwards Jarrod Taylor and Roelof Smit (currently on trial) all in line to make their senior DHL Western Province debut should they take the field.
Smit is a one-cap Springbok, while youngsters Weilbach, Taylor and Goosen are all part of SARU’s Elite Player Development System via the SA Schools and Junior Springbok programmes.
DHL Western Province Head Coach Jerome Paarwater said that his team is determined to back up their opening win with an improved performance in this midweek clash.
“It has been a very short turnaround between games, but our combinations should be a little more settled, so hopefully we will see more cohesion.
“We have managed to keep some continuity in selection and the players are all keen to reward the fans who come out to support us with some good rugby,” he said.
Vodacom Bulls’ latest recruit, Cyle Brink, will make his debut for the Bulls.
After getting the season off to a winning start in the opening match against the Pumas over the weekend, head coach, Gert Smal, selected an equally exciting match-day 23 for the traditional North versus South derby at DHL Stadium.
Prop Simphiwe Matanzima, hooker Bismarck du Plessis and flanker Marcell Coetzee, who will captain the side, will be part of a powerful pack of forwards.
Veteran, Morne Steyn, will spearhead a thrilling backline which will include a centre pairing of Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe, while the back three will be made up of Sibongile Novuka and Canan Moodie, with James Verity-Amm starting at fullback.
Vodacom Bulls Carling Currie Cup head coach, Gert Smal, said: “We are up for a big challenge against a good DHL Western Province side, who are always very dangerous when playing at home.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to blend some valuable experience with some exciting youthful talent for this important fixture.
“We are looking forward to a tough physical battle and some entertaining rugby which we have become accustomed to when these two sides face each other.”
Weather: 19° Celsius, with no clouds or rain expected, and a moderated SE wind
Prediction: Vodacom Bulls by 5.
DHL Western Province: 15. Tristan Leyds, 14. Angelo Davids, 13. Leolin Zas, 12. Cornel Smit, 11. Paschal Ekeji, 10. Tim Swiel, 9. Thomas Bursey, 8. Keke Morabe, 7. Marcel Theunissen, 6. Nama Xaba (c), 5. Simon Miller, 4. Connor Evans, 3. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2. Chad Solomon, 1. Kwenzo Blose. Replacements: 16. Jacques Goosen, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Corne Weilbach, 19. Jarrod Taylor, 20. Roelof Smit, 21. Godlen Masimla, 22. Chris Schreuder, 23. Mnombo Zwelendaba.
Bulls: 15. James Verity-Amm, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Sibongile Novuka, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 8. Muller Uys, 7. Cyle Brink, 6. Marcell Coetzee (c), 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Sintu Manjezi, 3. Robert Hunt, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus, 17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Reinardt Ludwig, 20. WJ Steenkamp, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Frederik du Plessis, 23. Stedman Gans.