The second Carling Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final is scheduled for 17:00 (SA Time) in Pretoria between the Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks XV.
The winner of this clash will face the winner of the first semi-final between the Fidelity ADT Lions and Toyota Cheetahs in the final. The two teams meet in the day’s first semi-final at Emirates Airline Park at 14:30.
The two winning teams will battle it out for the historic trophy on Saturday, 21 September at 16:00.
The second semi-final, between the Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks XV at Loftus Versfeld, has all the hallmarks of another Currie Cup classic and is a repeat of the finals of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, both won by the team from Pretoria.
While the men from Pretoria have occasionally stumbled, they have considerable depth in talent and flexed their muscles to show their pedigree at the right time to grab second spot on the log which, crucially, earned them a home semi-final.
Although the KwaZulu-Natalians stuttered during the opening stages of the campaign, suffering three defeats in a row, they managed to regain their mojo by winning six and snatching a draw during an impressive seven-game unbeaten stretch.
Last weekend, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV edged the Vodacom Bulls 24-18 in a wet and windy Durban during the final round of league action in what was a rehearsal for this week’s semi-final in the Jacaranda City.
Both sides have strengthened their match-day squads with Vodacom United Rugby Championship regulars, so it will be interesting to see who will come out tops in this intriguing encounter.
Vodacom Bulls head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has switched his halfback combination by recalling Keagan Johannes to scrumhalf to pair up with Johan Goosen at flyhalf.
There are also notable returns for Rocket Man Stravino Jacobs at left wing. Dylan Smith starts at front row alongside Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw; whilst Bernard van der Linde forms part of the six-two split impact squad that also features Joe van Zyl, Jacques van Rooyen, Francois Klopper, Sintu Manjezi, Merwe Olivier, Katlego Letebele and Celimpilo ka Gumede.
Elsewhere, Nizaam Carr shifts from the impact squad to captain and starts at flank alongside Marcell Coetzee. There is also a swap for Boeta Chamberlain and Stedman Gans who line up at fullback and centre respectively, having been involved in Durban off the wooden stool.
Jannes Kirsten and Cobus Wiese amalgamate once more at lock with Cameron Hanekom retained for eighth-man duties. At centre, David Kriel moves to the inside with Gans on his outside. Henry Immelman will run out again at right wing.
The responsibility on the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV players selected for Saturday’s Carling Currie Cup semi-final is one they accept, given how the season has progressed and how fortunes changed after a difficult start.
Hollywoodbets Sharks loose forward and captain Vincent Tshituka accepts the challenge as he acknowledges the hard work that’s been done to take the team to the position, they now find themselves.
“The guys who played in the Currie Cup played so well and there’s a responsibility on us coming from the URC squad to finish the good work they’ve done,” he explains.
“The way they picked up the season after the start they had is amazing. It’s easy to give up when you’re down and out, but they turned their season around and gave us the opportunity to be in a play-off this weekend. The guys were incredible in the last couple of games and it’s a massive responsibility for us, we know that.”
Looking at the opposition, he is well-aware of the fact that the Bulls will be installed as favourites, but there’s nothing like a biblical David-Goliath battle to motivate his team.
“We know what the Bulls are like at Loftus and there is a lot of prep required, plus a lot of mental prep for the players to keep a calm mind but to also bring the attitude over the weekend.
“It’s going to be a bloody game, one when two big forces are meeting. We aren’t the favourites, we’re well aware of that.
“But for me, that’s motivation, I love being the underdog, it just puts a different kind of fire in your belly.”
Head coach John Plumtree has made six changes and one rotational change this week, bringing in Fez Mbatha for Dylan Richardson at hooker, with Corne’ Rahl replacing Gerbrandt Grobler at lock and James Venter coming in for Emmanuel Tshituka in the back row.
Amongst the backs, Ethan Hooker shifts from centre to wing in place of Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen and Francois Venter form the new centre partnership, while Eduan Keyter taking over from Lili Bester on the wing completes the changes.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Henry Immelman, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Stavino Jacobs, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Nizaam Carr (c), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Jannes Kirsten, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Merwe Olivier, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Celimpilo Gumede.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Litelihle Bester.