The Carling Currie Cup Premier Division resumes today and the six teams in action will be eager to make a push for the playoffs as the race for the top four places on the league table intensifies. The Sigma Lions will host the undefeated Toyota Cheetahs, with the battle at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg set to kick-off at 19h00.
Tonight's fixture in Johannesburg features a Sigma Lions outfit desperate to register their first win of the campaign against the high-riding Toyota Cheetahs, after coming so close against the Peacock Blues two weeks ago at the Wits Rugby Stadium. The Northern Cape side won that encounter by scoring the winning try in the dying seconds of the match.
The men from Bloemfontein are currently on an unbeaten run of seven games, and judging by previous results between the two teams, one can expect another high-scoring affair. The first-round match-up between them finished 66-14 in Bloemfontein, while this previous fixture in the Free State capital finished produced a thrilling 44-44 draw.
Hawies Fourie's team boast an excellent pack of forwards and a very experienced backline led by evergreen Springbok Frans Steyn (centre) and skipper Ruan Pienaar (scrumhalf). On current form, though, the white jerseys should hold to much firepower for the visitors from Johannesburg.
Sigma Lions head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi named an exciting match 23. The matchday squad features the in-form JP Smith at loosehead prop, fresh from Vodacom URC duty last weekend. Jaco Visagie, Sibusiso Sangweni and the abrasive Emmanuel Tshituka also make an appearance in a starting XV which sees a new-look back three of Stean Pienaar, Boldwin Hansen and fullback Tiaan Swanepoel.
New signing Sanele Nohamba could see himself making a debut off the bench for his new franchise.
Head Coach Mziwakhe Nkosi: ”We are expecting a tough game against the Cheetahs tomorrow night. It’s the business end of the competition for them and in addition to that, they are the in-form team of the competition. The challenge for us is to step up against a quality outfit.”
“The theme this week for us was to reflect on our performance against the Griquas which we believe was a good showing but unfortunately lost it at the death. If we can draw positives from that game, I feel we’ll give ourselves a chance to display what we can achieve,” he concluded.
The Toyota Cheetahs' head coach Hawies Fourie announced his team with minor changes. Up front the back row is shuffled where Mihlali Mosi is getting the No.8 jersey this week and Jeandrè Rudolph moving to the No.7 flank.
In the front row where Marnus van der Merwe replaces Louis van der Westhuizen at hooker and Cameron Dawson returns to the loose-head ahead of Alulutho Tshakweni.
Teams:
Sigma Lions: 15. Tiaan Swanepoel, 14. Boldwin Hansen, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. Manuel Rass, 11. Stean Pienaar, 10. Fred Zeilinga, 9. Andre Warner (c), 8. Jarod Cairns, 7. Emmanuel Tshituka, 6. Sibusiso Sangweni, 5. Cal Smid, 4. Lunga Ncube, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye , 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Jean-Pierre Smith. Replacements: 16. Morne Brandon, 17. Heiko Pohlmann, 18. Jannie du Plessis, 19. Junior White, 20. Lindo Ncusane, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 2.2 Luke Rossouw, 23. Ilunga Mukendi.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Cohen Jasper, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. David Brits, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Duncan Saal, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (c), 8. Mihlali Mosi, 7. Jeandrè Rudolph, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete, 4. Aidon Davis, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Marne Coetzee, 19. Ockie Barnard, 20. Andisa Ntsila, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. Siya Masuku, 23. Robert Ebersohn.
