The Vodacom Bulls kick off the weekend’s fixtures on Friday evening when they host the Airlink Pumas in Pretoria, where the starting time is 19h00.
The Vodacom Bulls, who are the defending champions, currently lead the standings on 42 points from their eight wins from 10 games, which is just one point more than the Toyota Cheetahs, who have won each of their nine matches so far in this campaign.
For now, the race for the two remaining playoff spots, for positions three and four, is a clear three-way fight, with the Cell C Sharks currently third on 24 points (10 games), Windhoek Draught Griquas sitting fourth on 21 points and the Airlink Pumas in fifth on 20 points, with the latter two sides having played nine games each.
In their last outings two weeks ago, the Vodacom Bulls had to pull out all stops to beat a stubborn Sigma Lions 43-37 in Pretoria, while the Airlink Pumas suffered a 17-23 reverse against a determined DHL WP, a result which handed the Cape side their first win in eight matches.
In five previous meetings between the sides from Pretoria and Nelspruit – four of which were staged at Mbombela Stadium – the Vodacom Bulls emerged victorious four times, while the Lowvelders managed just one win – a 44-14 success last January. The team in light blue jerseys won the previous fixture between them at Loftus Versfeld, played last June, by 32-27.
New Vodacom Bulls signing, Ruan Vermaak, will make his debut for the side. The 24-year-old lock will be in the starting lineup, where he will partner with Janko Swanepoel for the second-row pairing in an exciting Vodacom Bulls team that will be on duty in the side’s penultimate round-robin match in the competition.
Lizo Gqoboka will once again lead the side as captain while veteran flyhalf, Morne Steyn, will make a return to action, starting in the No10 jersey and occupy the vice-captaincy role.
While the Vodacom Bulls will be fielding an exciting starting XV with familiar personnel who have performed well for the team throughout the campaign, there will be some anticipation for the unleashing of youthful talent from the bench which includes Francois Klopper, Stephan Smit and Tharquinn Manuel, all of whom who played a key role in the recent Varsity Cup success of the University of Pretoria.
The Vodacom Bulls will be expecting a tough encounter against a dangerous Airlink Pumas outfit.
“We have worked hard this week in preparation of a match that we have no doubt will be a huge challenge. The Airlink Pumas remain one of the most dangerous sides in the Carling Currie Cup, and history has proven that they never come to Loftus Versfeld short of motivation,” said Vodacom Bulls head coach, Gert Smal, ahead of the game.
“We look forward to seeing this team continue the good form they have shown and also to continue improving on areas that need improvement. We are not yet at our peak, and it is important that we continue to see positive adjustments in our game with each passing week.
“The Airlink Pumas are a dangerous, tough side. WE have no doubt that they will throw everything at us on Friday. We will have to be at our best if we want to overcome a spirited opposition like we have coming up this week.”
Airlink Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has kept the changes to the starting line-up to the minimum.
At the back, only one change was made with Sebastian de Klerk replacing Ettiene Taljaard at the wing. Up front, Deon Slabbert replaces Darrien Landsberg who drops to the bench, while flanker Phumzile Maqondwana returns to the starting line-up.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15. James Verity-Am, 14. David Kriel, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Marco Janse van Vuren, 11. Richard Kriel, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Muller Uys, 7. Reinhardt Ludwig, 6. WJ Steenkamp, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Ruaan Vermaak, 3. Robert Hunt, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Lizo Gqoboka (c). Replacements: 16. Sidney Tobias, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Francois Kloppers, 19. Raynard Roets, 20. Stephan Smith, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Juan Mostert, 23. Tarquin Manuel
Airlink Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 13. Alwayno Visagie, 12. Eddie Fouche, 11. Tapiwa Mafura, 10. Tinus de Beer, 9. Chriswill September, 8. Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7. Phumzile Maqondwana/Anele Lungisa, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Shane Kirkwood, 4. Deon Slabbert, 3. IG Prinsloo, 2. Eduan Swart, 1. Corne Fourie. Replacements: 16. Llewellyn Classen, 17. Dewald Maritz, 18. Simon Raw, 19. Darrien Landsberg, 20. Francois Kleinhans, 21. Giovan Snyman, 22. Ali Mgijima, 23. Japie Kleynhans.