The final match of the weekend is a Jukskei Derby at Loftus Versfeld where the Vodacom Bulls and Sigma Lions will be going all out to stay in touch with the top four. Vodacom Bulls will face the Sigma Lions on their return to action in the Carling Currie Cup today @15h15 in Pretoria.
The last time they met in the Carling Currie Cup was in the 2020 semi-finals, where the Vodacom Bulls beat their neighbours by 26-21 to progress to the final, which they won a week later in Pretoria.
Although the Bulls are second from last on the 2021 Carling Currie Cup log they are still the "best" team in South Africa. Their only loss came against Western Province (24-48) when their "A" team were in Italy for the Rainbow Cup final against Benetton. A win against the Pumas (32-27) and South Africa "A" (17-14) a week ago.
The Sigma Lions'season can only be described as disappointing. The started the season with a 10-39 loss against the Pumas. This was followed by a win against Western Province (38-32). Their two following matches were cancelled and then slumped to a 31-41 loss against Griquas.
Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, has selected a strong side.
Lionel Mapoe, will make his first appearance for the Bulls and will combine with Harold Vorster in the midfield as Cornal Hendricks makes a shift to a familiar position at right wing.
Johan Goosen, who turned out for the first time in the blue strip last weekend in the match against the South African ‘A’ side, will make his official debut for the Vodacom Bulls in the Carling Currie Cup with a starting berth in the No10 jersey.
An exciting and talented loose-forward trio of Elrigh Louw at No8 alongside captain Marcell Coetzee and Muller Uys will be a combination worth watching out for.
An inspiring addition to the bench of the Vodacom Bulls is that of young Sibongile Novuka, a star for the UKZN Impi in the recent FNB Varsity Shield competition.
White said: “We are looking forward to get back to action in the Carling Currie Cup, especially against a quality outfit such as the Sigma Lions – a team that always pitches up to produce an enthralling Jukskei derby.”
He added: “Of course, to be able to select players like Lionel Mapoe and Johan Goosen, whom we have no doubt will add value top this team, is something we particularly look forward to. Further to that, we have youngsters like Sibongile Novuka, who caught our eye with his stellar performances in the Varsity Shield, to add their youthful exuberance. We can surely expect nothing less than a superb battle between two determined sides on Sunday.”
The Sigma Lions' head coach Cash van Rooyen made several changes to the side that disappointed against the Griquas.
Wandisile Simelane is back from Bok duty and will start at fullback. Courtnall Skosan replaces Stean Pienaar at wing while Dan Kriel replaces Burger Odendaal at inside centre. In the last change at the back, Adre Warner replaces Morne van den Berg at scrumhalf.
Vincent Tshituka replaces Sibusiso Sangweni on the side of the scrum while Roelof Smit comes into the starting lineup on the other side of the scrum.
Prediction: I can only see blue.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Richard Kriel, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Zak Burger, 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. Muller Uys, 6. Marcell Coetzee (Capt), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Jacques van Rooyen, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Janko Swanepoel, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Sibongile Novuka, 24. Jan-Hendrik Wessel, 25. Ruan Delport, 26. Johan Mulder, 27. FC du Plessis.
Sigma Lions: 15. Wandisile Simelane. 14, Rabz Maxwane, 13. Manuel Rass, 12. Dan Kriel, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Andre Warner; 8. Francke Horn (capt.), 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Roelof Smit, 5. FP Pelser, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. PJ Botha, 1. Ruan Dreyer. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Jannie du Plessis, 19. Reinhard Nothnagel, 20. Ruhan Straeuli, 21. Sibusiso Sangweni, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Stean Pienaar.