The first fixture of the new Currie Cup campaign, a Central South African derby that is always a tough encounter, is scheduled to start at 16:00 (SA Time) at Windhoek Draught Park in Kimberley when Windhoek Draught Griquas host the Toyota Cheetahs.
Pieter Bergh’s side was pipped by the Airlink Pumas in last season’s pulsating final, and Windhoek Draught Griquas are usually a tough nut to crack on their home turf in Kimberley, which means Friday’s season opener should be a good battle between the two neighbouring sides.
Five players will make their Currie Cup debut for Windhoek Draught Griquas while four will make their debut in the Currie Cup.
Toyota Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, has a number of battle-hardened stalwarts at his disposal such as former Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar and powerhouse Springbok midfielder Frans Steyn. However, the hosts would want to show their superb form of last year was no flash in the pan.
“Griquas will obviously be the favourites at home.” Said Toyota Cheetahs' head coach Hawies Fourie. “We are the underdogs, and it is up to us to perform better and get a good start on the log. The first three games are especially important to us to do well.”
“We focused on the right stuff this week. The players are switched on and focused, and I’m sure the same will happen when they run onto the field tomorrow.”
“The first three Currie Cup games will help us prepare well for the EPCR Round of 16, but our first priority is to get as many Currie Cup log points as possible to build a bit of a buffer before we face Toulon.”
Teams:
Windhoek Draught Griquas: 15 Jay-Cee Nel, 14. Rosko Specman, 13. Sango Xamlashe, 12. Zander du Plessis, 11. Luther Obi, 10. Lubabalo Dobela, 9. Johan Mulder, 8. Janco Venter, 7. Stephan Smit, 6. Niel Otto (c), 5. Derik Pretorius, 4. Albert Liebenberg, 3. Janu Botha, 2. Janco Uys, 1. Kudzwai Dube. Replacements: 16. Gustav du Rand, 17. Cebo Dlamini, 18. Junior Banda, 19. Johan Retief, 20. Carl Els, 21. Bobby Alexander, 22. George Whitehead, 23. Malcolm Jaer.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Tapiwa Mafura, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Munier Hartzenberg, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Jeandrè Rudolph, 7. Friedle Olivier, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete (c), 4. Rynier Bernardo, 3. Hencus van Wyk, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Conraad van Vuuren, 19. Mzwanele Zito, 20. Daniel Maartens, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. Evardi Boshoff, 23. Cohen Jasper.