The Toyota Cheetahs will host DHL Western Province in a Carling Currie Cup Round 6 fixture @ 16h45 today in Bloemfontein.
There was drama in Bloemfontein when DHL WP travelled north in the 2020 season and managed to sneak a victory over the Toyota Cheetahs thanks to a Tim Swiel penalty goal on the stroke of full-time to steer the Capetonians to a 31-29 win in round six.
Swiel’s seventh penalty goal came a few minutes after the home team launched a stunning comeback with two quick late tries, by Wilmar Arnoldi (hooker) and Rosko Specman (wing), to draw level late in the game.
The Cheetahs lost their first match of the 2021 season against Griquas (10-31) won against the Pumas (17-16) in their only other match of the Currie Cup season.
Western Province started the season with a great win against the Bulls (48-24) in Round 1, followed by a loss against the Lions (32-38). Their win against the Sharks (32-31) was followed by a big upset against Griquas which they lost 28-30. Their last match against the B&I Lions ended in a big loss (03-49) on Saturday was maybe their best performance of the season.
Prediction: As stated here above the Western Province team is finding their feet, however, 3 matches in 9 days could take their toll. The Cheetahs on the other hand is a settled side and at home, they are a mean team.
I expect a fast and physical game with the Stormers loosies may be the deciding factor. An even game with Western Province the winner with 3-5 points, if that much.
Coach John Dobson has made just one change to the tight five that fronted up for the DHL Stormers on Saturday against the British & Irish Lions. Young Andre-Hugo Venter starts at hooker with JJ Kotze dropping to the bench.
“After a bruising game against the British and Irish Lions, we are in for two traditionally difficult away games in a matter of days,” said Dobson.
“We came away from the Lions game relatively unscathed from a serious injury point of view. This next week is not going to be easy, however, it is a great opportunity for some of our youngsters to get real experience at this level, which is good for our future.”
Marcel Theunissen is brought into the starting XV to join Evan Roos and Nama Xaba in the loose trio. Both Roos and Xaba were impressive on the weekend and will be ready to once again put their bodies on the line as DHL Western Province look to keep pace in the competition following a number of matches that have been cancelled.
Johan du Toit will be able to provide fresh impetus from the bench later in the contest.
Another player who impressed against the tourists, centre Juan de Jongh, will start alongside Cornel Smit in the blue and white hoops and De Jongh’s experience will be vital against the physical Toyota Cheetahs.
Tristan Leyds makes a return to the run-on side on the wing with Leolin Zas, another who played on Saturday, on the bench. The replacements will no doubt be important with the quick turnaround to Sunday’s visit to the New Nation Pumas.
Junior Springbok Sacha Mngomezulu is in line for his debut after being named among the replacements.
The Toyota Cheetahs Coach Hawies Fourie announced his team with limited changes from the last match against the Pumas.
In the starting line-up, Junior Pokomela and Jacques Potgieter switch places with Potgieter providing cover on the bench. David Brits replace Lesley Botha on centre. On reserve, Cameron Dawson replaces Schalk Ferreira and Reinhardt Fortuin and Chris Smit are new to the bench.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Duncan Saal, 13. David Brits, 12. Siya Masuku, 11. Cohen Jasper, 10. Brandon Thomson, 9. Ruan Pienaar (C), 8. Aidon Davis, 7. Junior Pokomela, 6. Jeandre Rudolph, 5. Jean Droste, 4. Rynier Bernardo, 3. Hencus van Wyk, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Aluluthu Tshakweni. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Cameron Dawson, 18. Conraad van Vuuren, 19. Victor Sekekete, 20. Jacques Potgieter, 21. Zinedine Booysen, 22. Reinhardt Fortuin, 23. Chris Smit.
DHL Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Tristan Leyds, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons. Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Simon Miller 20 Johan du Toit, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Sacha Mngomezulu, 23 Leolin Zas