The Vodacom Bulls host arch-rivals the DHL Western Province in the feature Carling Currie Cup fixture tonight in Pretoria. The North versus South derby kicks off at 20h00 in Pretoria and is the last of the day’s three Carling Currie Cup encounters.
At the halfway stage of the league phase of the competition and with all teams having completed six games, the unbeaten Toyota Cheetahs are topping the standings with 26 points. The Free Staters currently enjoy a one-point lead over defending champions the Vodacom Bulls, who are chasing a coveted third Carling Currie Cup crown in a row. The visitors to Loftus Versveld tonight are in the sixth position on the log with only one win to their name.
The Vodacom Bulls are on a mission to make it three competition wins in a row, and they host arch-rivals DHL WP knowing they’ve had the measure of their Cape Town opponents in their previous four meetings.
After DHL WP stunned the men in light blue jerseys 48-21 in Pretoria in the opening round of the 2021 competition, the Vodacom Bulls turned the tables 34-21 in the return clash and also beat Province by 34-31 in their semi-final clash, en route to their second successive Carling Currie Cup triumph.
In the opening round of the 2022 competition played in January, the Vodacom Bulls were again too strong for Jerome Paarwater's team as they bagged a 40-21 win at the DHL Stadium.
The experienced former Springbok flyhalf will captain an exciting Vodacom Bulls team that will have a good blend of experience and youth.
The Tshwane-based side will have a strong starting front row which will include Simphiwe Matanzima at loosehead prop, Robert Hunt at tighthead, and Bismarck du Plessis, who will be vice-captain, starting at hooker.
“This is another big week of rugby for the Vodacom Bulls against a strong union. It was important that we have a competitive team to face a dangerous DHL Western Province side,” said Vodacom Bulls head coach, Gert Smal.
“We are privileged to have players of Morne Steyn and Bismarck du Plessis’ calibre to provide leadership to a group of youthful, exciting players such as James Verity-Amm and Rynhardt Ludwig, among others.
We expect DHL Western Province to come hard at us. They will want to get back to winning ways. We know what they are capable of as a unit, and we will need to be at our best if we want to continue putting pressure on teams at the top of the table like the Toyota Cheetahs.”
DHL Western Province included Juan de Jongh who will make his return from injury. The experienced centre comes straight into the starting line-up for the North-South clash.
Apart from De Jongh’s inclusion at outside centre there is just one other change in the backline, with Timothy Swiel starting at flyhalf.
There is just one change to the forward pack, with Sazi Sandi lining up at tighthead prop.
DHL Western Province Head Coach Jerome Paarwater said that the continuity in selection is a major boost as they head up to Pretoria.
“It is very helpful to have the same combinations in place, especially with a player of Juan’s experience coming in as well.
“We will give it a full go up at Loftus and the players are looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15. James Verity-Amm, 14. David Kriel, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Morne Steyn (c), 9. Keagan Johannes, 8. Muller Uys, 7. WJ Steenkamp, 6. Jaco Labuschagne, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Rynhardt Ludwig, 3. Robert Hunt, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Raynard Roets, 20. Werner Gouws, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Juan Mostert, 23. Richard Kriel.
Western Province: 15. Tristan Leyds, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Cornel Smit, 11. Angelo Davids, 10. Timothy Swiel, 9. Godlen Masimla, 8. Keke Morabe, 7. Marcel Theunissen, 6. Nama Xaba (c), 5. Connor Evans, 4. Ben-Jason Dixon, 3. Sazi Sandi, 2. JJ Kotze, 1. Kwenzo Blose. Replacements: 16. Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17. Leon Lyons, 18. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19. Simon Miller, 20. Jarrod Taylor, 21. Bobby Alexander, 22. Kade Wolhuter, 23. Mnombo Zwelendaba.