A place in this year’s Carling Currie Cup Premier Division final is the big prize on offer when the Fidelity ADT Lions host the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers at 17:00 (SA Time) at Ellis Park in the first semi-final.
The Lions secured pole position with a commanding 37-7 victory over Griquas in the final round of the league action last weekend, meaning they will be brimming with confidence heading into the semi-final.
Their form this season has been impressive, which enabled them to finish the league phase at the top of the log with five wins from seven matches. Their only two losses came against the Cheetahs (47-31) and Boland (29-10), interestingly, both on the road. The latter result will no doubt be extra motivation for the Joburg outfit, who will be keen to avenge that loss and continue their dominance at Ellis Park.
Boland, meanwhile, has enjoyed a memorable campaign since being promoted to the Premier Division after the SA Cup. They have consistently proved their credentials, securing a top-four finish with four wins and a couple of close-fought losses. Their home victory over the Lions in the league phase was a definite highlight, demonstrating their ability to ruffle the feathers of the more experienced teams.
However, they are coming off a 40-22 derby defeat to DHL Western Province in their final league match, a result that saw them slip from second to fourth place on the final log. Kavaliers coach Hawies Fourie knows they would need to regroup quickly and rediscover the form that saw them winning on a regular basis.
According to their respective form guides, the Lions stand stronger with two losses from their last five games, while Boland, in turn, has three wins and two losses (both in their previous two outings), over the same period.
This match is set for a clash of styles, with the attacking rugby of the Lions against the tenacious, hard-working grit of the Boland side. The Kavaliers’ ability to defend stoutly and capitalise on their opportunities will be key, while the Lions, on the other hand, will look to dominate the set piece with their more experienced pack, hoping to unleash their dangerous backline at their high-altitude venue.
The Fidelity ADT Lions have stuck to the same match 23, which did duty against the Suzuki Griquas last week.
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers have been boosted by the return of two key backline players. Playmaker Ashlon Davids is back at flyhalf after recovering from injury, while fullback James Tedder also returns after missing last week's Western Cape derby against DHL Western Province.
There will be extra motivation for players such as Davids, Tedder, Sibusiso Sangweni, and HP van Schoor, who all once called Ellis Park their home during their stints with the Lions.
Fourie, however, has also been dealt a significant blow with both prolific try scorer Donovan Don (thigh) and powerhouse Wayrin Losper (shoulder), both ruled out due to injury.
Jayden Bantom, who made his debut off the bench against WP, gets his first start in place of Don on the wing. Veteran scrumhalf Louis Schreuder is back in the number 9 jersey after playing off the bench in Cape Town. He swaps places with Chriswill September.
Up front, lock Ameer Hendricks gets a start in place of Michael Benadie, who will play a role off the bench, while the fit-again Khwezi Mafu replaces Sauliegh Arendse at openside flanker. Mthokozisi Gumede starts at loosehead prop in place of Losper after covering tighthead prop last week, with Laurence Victor now providing tighthead cover from the bench.
Teams:
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha (c), 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 15 James Tedder, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (c), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Khwezi Mafu, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Ameer Hendricks, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede. Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Jurie van Vuuren, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht.