The final game of Round 5 of the 2022 Carling Currie Cup kicks off at 17h00 today in Bloemfontein, where the second-placed Toyota Cheetahs will start as firm favourites against the Sigma Lions, who are yet to register a win in this year’s competition and sit at the bottom of the log.
Although much was said regarding the Emirates Lions against Leinster a week ago, one can be forgiven to be a bit sceptic that their Currie Cup squad can surprise the pace-setting Toyota Cheetahs team. An easy win it will not be, however, a win should be a given.
Toyota Cheetahs' head coach Hawies Fourie announced his team with minimal changes.
“Most of the changes are rotational. There is a lot of guys who trains well and we want to keep the bigger group interested and give some guys game time. I want the guys to be sharp if we get injuries later on in the competition. Only Rosko is out due to injury.”
Cameron Dawson returns from injury and will be wearing the number 1 jersey, with Wilmar Arnold next to him. Chucky van der Westhuizen will be providing cover on the bench.
Jeandre Rudolph and Andisa Ntsila switch places, with Rudolph in the starting line-up. Malcolm Jaer replaces Rosko Specman. The outside centre is Robert Ebersohn with David Brits on reserve and Cohen Jasper on fullback.
“I think the Lions are a really quality side. Obviously, they’ve gone through a difficult patch but we expect a strong team to come to Bloemfontein. I think a lot of the URC guys will get the opportunity to get game time. They play a similar brand of rugby. It is exciting – they like to keep the ball in hand. It will be a tough test for us but we trained really well the last two weeks and I think the boys are ready for the 80 minutes on Saturday,” said Ruan Pienaar.
"It's an opportunity to turn our season around". That’s the view of Sigma Lions’ mentor Mziwakhe Nkosi as his team heads to the City of Roses on Saturday to face the Toyota Cheetahs in the Carling Currie Cup.
“It doesn’t get easier at all visiting the competition favourites, but that’s the nature of the competition. We’re expecting a motivated Cheetahs team who will look to play an expansive game on their home pitch.”
Nkosi named a strong match 23 which features the explosive centre combination of Tyler Bocks and James Mollentze. Experienced flyhalf Fred Zelinga has been tasked with spearheading the attack, as flyer Rabz Maxwane starts on the right-wing against his former team.
“We spoke extensively about implementing our plans and more importantly retaining our focus for longer periods of the game,” says Nkosi.
“Looking back at our last outing against the Sharks, we felt costly errors let us down and we know a team like the Toyota Cheetahs will pounce if given the opportunity. If we can limit those little mistakes, we’ll be in with a real chance of achieving a positive result,” he added.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Cohen Jasper, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Malcolm Jaer, 10. Siya Masuku, 9. Ruan Pienaar (C), 8. Mihlali Mosi, 7. Jeandré Rudolph, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete, 4. Aidon Davis, 3. Marne Coetzee, 2. Wilmar Arnoldi, 1. Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Conraad van Vuuren, 19. Ockie Barnard, 20. Andisa Ntsila, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. Reinhardt Fortuin, 23. David Brits.
Sigma Lions: 15. Tiaan Swanepoel 14. Rabz Maxwane 13. James Mollentze 12.Tyler Bocks 11. Divan Rossouw 10. Fred Zeilinga 9. Jurich Claasens 8. Jarod Cairns 7. Emmanuel Tshituka 6. Sibusiso Sangwein 5. Simon Dinisio 4. Lunga Ncube 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2. PJ Botha 1. JP Smith Replacements 16. Dameon Venter 17. Banele Mthenjane 18. Chergin Fillies 19. Izan Esterhuizen 20. MJ Pelser 21. Ginter Smuts 22. James Tedder 23. Luke Rossouw