It’s make-or-break in the final round of the Carling Currie Cup on Saturday, with three teams effectively involved in knock-out matches to determine who will join the Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks in the semi-finals.
If the Toyota Cheetahs – already out of the running – cause a big upset in the penultimate game and beat the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria, the Cell C Sharks can still top the log if they can get a full-house of points against DHL WP.
But it will take a mighty effort by the Free Staters as the defending champions have lost only once at Loftus Versfeld in the last year when they hosted DHL WP with a depleted side in the opening round of the 2021 competition.
The Vodacom Bulls have been on an upward trajectory since then, but they have not yet played against the Toyota Cheetahs after their scheduled third-round match was cancelled due to positive COVID cases in the Free Staters’ camp.
The Vodacom Bulls have made a hand full of changes to their starting XV that will take on the Toyota Cheetahs in their final round match of the Carling Currie Cup.
The Tshwane-based side will head into the clash at Loftus Versfeld having made some changes to the team that claimed a 26-33 victory over the New Nation Pumas at Mbombela Stadium a fortnight ago.
The backline will see the return of David Kriel at fullback, where he takes the place of Sibongile Novuka, and Madosh Tambwe has been included at wing where he replaces Stravino Jacobs while at scrumhalf Zak Burger is rested as Marco Jansen van Vuren takes over the reins.
In the forwards pack, Jan-Hendrik Wessels will buckle down at hooker with Schalk Erasmus providing cover on the bench this week, while WJ Steenkamp gets a starting berth at blindside flank.
On the bench, winger Ruan Combrinck will make his long-awaited appearance since joining the side at the start of July. The Springbok is set to add firepower and experience should he take to the field.
Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, said ahead of Saturday’s clash: “It has been a gruelling past few weeks of competitive rugby in the round stages of the Carling Currie Cup, where the team has seen plenty of learning and growth while being tested by quality opposition.
“Yes, we are close to the business end of the competition – the playoffs – but we still have a tough Toyota Cheetahs team to face in this final round. They too will be out to end their campaign on a high note, while we will be intent on drawing closer to that perfect game which will be needed in the knockout stages.”
In their last Currie Cup match of the 2021 season, the Toyota Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has made five changes.
At the back, Evardi Boshoof at centre replaces David Brits who drops to the bench while Reinhardt Fortuin replaces captain Ruan Pienaar who moves to scrumhalf.
Marus vd Merwe is back at the side of the scrum, replacing Junior Pokomela while Schalk Ferreira (#1) and Louis vd Westhuizen (#2) are the other changes up front.
“We want to finish well. We are all disappointed with our performance in the Currie Cup and with all the problems we’ve had especially at the start of the season.”
“We know that we are better than our performance on the field and we’d like to prove to ourselves that we can compete with the best teams and the Bulls is the best team in the country at the moment.”
“We want to make ourselves and our supporters proud.” Said, Coach Hawies Fourie
Players not available: The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Marcell Muller (hamstring), George Cronje (knee), Jeandre Rudolph (knee), Jean Droste (concussion).
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. WJ Steenkamp, 6 Arno Botha (c), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Janko Swanepoel, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Jacques van Rooyen, 19. Jacques du Plessis, 20. Jaco Labuschagne, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Ruan Combrinck, 24. Schalk Erasmus, 25. Reinhard Ludwig, 26. Rynardt Roets.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Cohen Jasper, 14. Duncan Saal, 13. Evardi Boshoff, 12. Siya Masuku, 11. Malcolm Jaer, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (C), 8. Mihlali Mosi, 7. Aidon Davis, 6. Marnus van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete, 4. Rynier Bernardo, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Louis van der Westhuizen, 1. Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Wilmar Arnoldi, 17. Hencus van Wyk, 18. Conraad van Vuuren, 19. Reinier Viljoen, 20. Oupa Mohoje, 21. Tian Meyer, 22. David Brits, 23. Chris Smit.