The Fidelity ADT Lions and Vodacom Bulls will clash on Saturday at 15h00 at the Emirates Airline Park in a derby that has more than bragging rights to play for in round 11 of the 2023 Currie Cup campaign.
The Jukskei Derby on Saturday will be particularly important. The Vodacom Bulls have built up some momentum since beating Windhoek Draught Griquas last week. They need to keep winning, though, if they hope to qualify for the playoffs.
The Fidelity ADT Lions should be equally desperate when they host their Gauteng neighbours. They’re coming off an important win against the Toyota Cheetahs, and another victory may strengthen their fifth position in the standings. A loss, however, could see them slipping down to seventh place.
The Fidelity ADT Lions made three changes to their starting line-up. All the changes were made to the backline. Boldwin Hansen replaces Sibahle Maxwane on the wing while Manuel Rass returns to the outside centre replacing Rynhardt Jonker who drops to the bench. Gianni Lombard returns to the flyhalf position with Sanele Nohamba moving to scrumhalf replacing Morné van den Berg who drops to the bench.
Johan Goosen is the only change made to the Vodacom Bulls team that travelled to Kimberly, coming into the starting line-up with Chris Smith moving to the bench. Goosen links up with Embrose Papier (scrumhalf) as the halfback combination on the day.
Gerhard Steenekamp (loosehead), Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Mornay Smith (tighthead) are in the front row, as Ruan Nortje and Ruan Vermaak combine at lock. Marcell Coetzee (blindside) starts alongside Nizaam Carr (openside) with Elrigh Louw at eight, completing the pack of forwards.
The backline remains unchanged, with Marco Jansen van Vuren (left) and Sibongile Novuka (right) retained at wing, while Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans line up at centre, with David Kriel at fullback.
Teams:
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Johannes Pretorius, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (c), 1 Rhynardt Rijnsburger. Replacements: 16 Pieter Botha , 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Stean Pienaar, 23 Andries Coetzee.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje (c), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Barend Smit, 23 Cornal Hendricks.