Carling Currie Cup action resumes today after a break of two weeks with the Vodacom Bulls hosting the Toyota Cheetahs in Pretoria @ 17h45.
The Vodacom Bulls, who are aiming for a third successive title, will play their first home match of the season following two bonus-point wins on the road when they entertain the Toyota Cheetahs, who is also still unbeaten.
The Vodacom Bulls, as well as the Toyota Cheetahs, selected exciting backs, while an interesting battle will be fought upfront. The Cheetahs have a problem in the second row and should find themselves pressurised in the lineouts while the front row battle could be interesting.
The backline battle will be interesting with Frans Steyn vs Cornal Hendricks should be entertaining. The Free Staters should win the kicking battle while Chris Smith has shown that he could be the difference between winning and losing.
Expect an open and entertaining match with the Vodacom Bulls the early favourites to remain unbeaten.
Vodacom Bulls Carling Currie Cup head coach, Gert Smal, has selected a team with a balance of youth and experience which will see the centre pairing of Cornal Hendricks and Stedman Gans in the backline, while Stravino Jacobs makes a return to the starting XV at wing.
Teenage flanker, Cameron Hanekom, will earn a starting berth at blindside flank where he will partner up with WJ Steenkamp on the openside and Muller Uys at No8.
The Vodacom Bulls will unleash a solid starting front row which includes Gerhard Steenekamp at loosehead prop, Robert Hunt on the other side of the scrum and Schalk Erasmus starting in the No2 jumper.
“The team had a week’s break after the opening two matches of the Carling Currie Cup season where we have had an opportunity to work on areas that we felt we needed to improve and those we felt we could further enhance where we thought we did well in the matches against the Airlink Pumas and DHL Western Province,” said Smal.
“We now have the tough task of facing a dangerous Toyota Cheetahs team whom we know will give us a good challenge. We expect the side from Bloemfontein to come to Loftus Versfeld highly motivated, and they will give us both a physical and running game on Wednesday night.
Springbok flyer Rosko Specman is back in the Toyota Cheetahs’ starting team, with his inclusion increasing the number of Springboks in the Free Staters' backline to three, alongside skipper Ruan Pienaar (No 9) and Frans Steyn (No 12).
“We have a really good backline and we’ve worked hard on the set-piece during the last two weeks. We have really good options to play from on Wednesday and I’m confident that we’ll get our share of run in line-outs and scrum ball.”
“If we can manage that, we can test the Bull’s defence with our backs. So, it will be a team effort. I’m excited to see what we can do tomorrow.” Said, coach Hawies Fourie.
“It is a blessing to have three players back from injury.”
“It is exciting and good for rugby in South Africa to have strong teams competing in Currie Cup. We all grew up watching Currie Cup and this is where our heroes were made.” Said, captian Ruan Pienaar.
“It was the main competition we supported growing up so it is great to see that it is still in a good and healthy state and hopefully it will be like that for many years to come.”
“ I think it is great that the Bulls and Sharks still put a high value in the Cup. All the teams are strong and I think anyone can take it this year.”
“You’ve got to perform well every week if you want to stand a chance to be in the top four and then hopefully you reach the final.”
Weather: 27° Celsius, clear skies with almost no wind.
Prediction: Vodacom Bulls by 12
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Sibongile Novuka, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks (captain), 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 8. Muller Uys, 7. Cameron Hanekom, 6. WJ Steenkamp, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Reinhardt Ludwig, 3. Robert Hunt, 2. Schalk Erasmus, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Raynard Roets, 20. Jaco Labuschagne, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Frederik du Plessis, 23. Richard Kriel.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Rosko Specman, 13. David Brits, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Enver Brandt, 10. Siyabonga Masuku, 9. Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8. Mihlali Mosi, 7. Andisa Ntsila, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete, 4. Aidon Davis, 3. Marné Coetzee, 2. Louis van der Westhuizen, 1. Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Janus Venter, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Conraad van Vuuren, 19. Sergio Moreira, 20. Jeandré Rudolph, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23. Robert Ebersohn.