Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
There will be a rejuvenated sense of energy this weekend as the local rugby season switches to the next chapter with the opening round of the Carling Currie Cup with the most anticipated match being the North-South derby between DHL Western Province and the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town at 19h00 on Saturday.
The Vodacom Bulls, who claimed Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked honours last weekend, will have their sights set on their first Carling Currie Cup victory against their southern rivals, DHL Western Province, since 2016 when the sides clash.
The visitors will have all the motivation they need to win with a four-point lead at the top of the standings, confidence from a comprehensive 39-6 victory against the Capetonians in October and a four-match winning streak counting in their favour as they switch their focus to securing their first Carling Currie Cup title since 2009.
However, they will be bracing themselves for a physical onslaught from a fresh DHL Western Province Springbok laden team who won their last two matches and who will be well aware of the fact that a bonus-point victory could push them to the top of the log.
Kolisi joins another international star, Blitzboks wing Seabelo Senatla, in a strong starting line-up featuring several Springboks, Blitzboks and former Junior Springboks.
DHL Western Province coach John Dobson named seven Springboks in his starting XV, while both wings are Springbok Sevens players and almost all of the remaining players have played for the Junior Springboks in the World Rugby U20 Championship.
Warrick Gelant (fullback) and Angelo Davids (wing) will both make their DHL Western Province debut, while Ali Vermaak (prop) and Jaco Coetzee (loose forward) are also set to make their return from injury from the replacements bench.
“We cannot think of a better way to start this competition than against the Vodacom Bulls at DHL Newlands,” said DHL WP head coach John Dobson.
“We are happy to welcome some key players back from injury and will be going all-out to make a positive start in the DHL Western Province jersey.”
Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White tweaked his matchday squad with the inclusion of Johan Grobbelaar at hooker, while Chris Smith retains the No 10 jersey after an impressive showing last week. The rest of the starting line-up from their victory over the Phakisa Pumas remains unchanged.
Amongst the replacements, Corniel Els shifts to the bench and will provide cover at hooker, while Clinton Swart retains the number 22 jersey.
"We achieved our first goal of the post-pandemic season and now we shift our focus to securing the Currie Cup with a massive target on our backs," said White.
"There are a few teams that can travel to Newlands as favourites, which makes our job harder. Couple that with the fact that Western Province is always a difficult team to face, home or away, and fans can expect a true old school North-South Derby."
DHL Western Province: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements (from): 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Kwenzo Blose, 19 Neethling Fouche, 20 David Meihuizen, 21 Chris van Zyl, 22 Jaco Coetzee, 23 Marcel Theunissen, 24 Godlen Masimla, 25 Tim Swiel, 26 Ruhan Nel.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen. Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.