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The two unbeaten teams in the PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA, the Vodacom Bulls and the Cell C Sharks go head-to-head on Saturday @ 18h15 at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria. The Sharks hold a 2 point lead over the Bulls on the Rainbow Cup log due to bonus points.
Last weekend the Cell C Sharks followed up their thrilling victory at the DHL Stormers in the first round by beating the Emirates Lions 34-26. Sean Everitt’s side played a part of the game with 13 men after yellow cards were shown to Thomas du Toit (prop) and Fez Mbatha (hooker).
Although disappointed with his team’s ill-discipline, Everitt felt his players “showed amazing character” in holding off the tenacious Emirates Lions outfit.
The Durbanites – with only one change to their starting team – now head 600km north-west to Pretoria to take on the Vodacom Bulls, who also made it two from two last weekend when Madosh Tambwe (right-wing) scored twice in their 20-16 victory over the DHL Stormers, having beaten the Emirates Lions in the first round.
Something will have to give in the evening fixture in Pretoria, where both the Vodacom Bulls and the Cell C Sharks will be looking to maintain their 100% start to the campaign.
The Duane Vermeulen-led Vodacom Bulls, with two Boks back in their match-day squad this week, have a formidable record at Fortress Loftus, having won 12 in a row there since going down to the Jaguares in Vodacom Super Rugby in February 2020.
They are also on somewhat of a winning streak, with their last defeat in eight matches coming at the hands of the Cell C Sharks, albeit in Durban, in March.
“We’re looking forward to the match,” said Cell C Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who is also the top points scorer in the competition with 22 points (two penalty goals and eight conversions).
“I think it will be a good one between two unbeaten sides in the competition and the guys are excited for the challenge. I’m sure the Bulls players are too.”
Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said: "We've had a few epic battles thus far and the Sharks will be keen to get one over us at Loftus as it is something they've yet to do. The forward tussle is going to set the tone, while both backlines are brimming with relentless talent so it should make for an exciting but hard encounter."
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel (Centurion), 14. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), 13. Marco Janse van Vuren (Pretoria), 12. Cornal Hendricks (Northam), 11. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins), 10. Morné Steyn (Tuine), 9. Embrose Papier (Tukkies), 8. Duane Vermeulen (Harlequins, C), 7. Arno Botha (Naka Bulle), 6. Marco van Staden (Pretoria), 5. Ruan Nortje (Naka Bulle), 4. Walt Steenkamp (Centurion), 3. Mornay Smith (Centurion), 2. Johan Grobbelaar (Tukkies), 1. Gerhard Steenekamp (Nake Bulle). Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus (Tuine), 17. Lizo Gqoboka (Naka Bulle), 18. Trevor Nyakane (Harlequins), 19. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), 20. Elrigh Louw (Tukkies), 21. Zak Burger (Tuine), 22. Chris Smith (Harlequins), 23. James Verity-Amm (Pretoria).
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am (C), 12. Jeremy Ward, 11. Yaw Penxe, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Henco Venter, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Reniel Hugo, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Fez Mbatha, 1. Ox Nche. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Phepsi Buthelezi, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Werner Kok.