Three Currie Cup Premier Division matches take place on an action-packed Friday, with log leaders the Toyota Cheetahs hosting the Vodacom Bulls in Bloemfontein in a clash which should again be full of intrigue at 17h05.
The Toyota Cheetahs are currently leading the Currie Cup Premier Division standings on 10 points from their two bonus-point wins, although holders Airlink Pumas and DHL WP have the same number of points, albeit with weaker point margins than the Free Staters.
The team from Bloemfontein looked menacing in their opening two games, and they should be firm favourites at home against the winless Vodacom Bulls, who are seventh on the log.
Ruan Pienaar and his Toyota Cheetahs won both games against the men from Pretoria last year, with the last result ending 35-5 in their favour in Bloemfontein.
One of the biggest encounters on the Toyota Cheetah’s calendar is arguably those against the Vodacom Bulls. On Friday, 24 March, the Toyota Cheetahs are hosting the Vodacom Bulls in Toyota Stadium at 17:05 (SA Time).
Head Coach Hawies Fourie seven changes to the starting line-up, five up front and two in the backline.
Springbok flank Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohoje returns from a three-week ban where he will join the new loose trio which sees Jeandré Rudolph coming in at No.8 and Gideon van der Merwe at flank. Lock Rynier Bernardo moves from the bench and joins captain Victor Seketete in the second row. Hencus van Wyk and hooker Marnus van der Merwe make up the new front row alongside Schalk Ferreira.
In the backline, Cohan Jasper gets a shot at fullback. Jasper replaces Tapiwa Mafura, who moves to the bench. Robert Ebersohn takes a spot in the midfield where he partners with Frans Steyn.
Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup head coach, Edgar Marutlulle has selected a balanced mix of experience alongside youth as the herd travels to Bloemfontein for round 3 of the 2023 Currie Cup competition on Friday at 17:05 (SA Time).
Springbok prop, Lizo Gqoboka returns to the starting lineup, leading the side with Lionel Mapoe serving as his vice. Gqoboka will line up alongside Jan Hendrik Wessels and Robert Hunt in the front row. Jacques Du Plessis and Reinhardt Ludwig will form part of the second row with Cameron Hanekom, Mihlali Mosi and Muller Uys behind them in the back row.
Keagan Johannes returns as the halfback partner of Chris Smit. At the same time, vice-captain, Lionel Mapoe and Wandisile Simelane will be the centre pairing with Kabelo Mokoena and Quewin Nortje on the wings as Franco Knoetze marshalls the troops at full-back.
Both Franco Knoetze and Adriaan Joubert will debut for the Vodacom Bulls, with Joubert set to feature as one of the club's success stories.
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Lawrence Victor, 19 Sibabalo Qoma, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 David Brits, 23 Tapiwa Mafura
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Lizo Gooboka (c), 2. Jan Hendrik Wessels, 3. Robert Hunt, 4. Jacques Du Plessis, 5. Reinhardt Ludwig, 6. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Mihlali Mosi, 8. Muller Uys, 9. Keagan Johannes, 10. Chris Smit, 11. Kabelo Mokoena, 12. Lionel Mapoe (vc), 13. Wandisile Simelane, 14. Quewin Nortje, 15. Franco Knoetze. Replacements: 16. Joe Van Zyl, 17. Jacques Van Rooyen, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Juan Van Der Weshuizen, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Bernard Van Der Linde, 22. Adriaan Joubert, 23. Juan Mostert.
