The start of the 2022 Carling Currie Cup promises to deliver its fair share of excitement and drama. Most teams will be expected to play two games in a matter of 5 days as the "premier" local competition struggle for a place in the world of professional rugby.
The degrading of the Currie Cup competition, as well as the struggle for survival by the Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas, has been discussed by everyone, with no feasible solution.
The first weekend of matches should see different matches being played for different reasons. The Bulls, Lions and Western Province will be looking for match practice for the up and coming URC fixtures while the Cheetahs and Griquas will look to establish an early dominance for the rest of the Currie Cup season while the Pumas will be out to surprise the world.
New Nation Pumas vs Vodacom Bulls - 14/01/2022 @ 19h00.
Jimmy Stonehouse frustrations will not be good news for the Bulls who must travel to Mbombela for the first match of the 2022 Currie Cup season.
The Pumas lost four of their top players to the Lions late in 2022 and to make matters worse the Lions cancelled their preseason matches against the Pumas hours before the matches were to be played. A lot of phone calls could not secure much-needed game time for the desperate Pumas.
It is expected that the Bulls will travel with their URC squad to Mbombela in preparation for their URC clash a week later against the DHL Stormers. One can argue that this will be great preparation although the Pumas in Nelspruit will be physical with early-season injuries a definite possibility.
The Bulls should leave Nelspruit with a win, however possibly with more questions than answers while Jimmy and his coaching staff should be smiling, knowing well this was their biggest test of the 2022 season.
Toyota Cheetahs vs Tafel Lager Griquas - 15/01/2022 @ 14h30.
The Cheetahs will host Griquas for the second time in a week in Bloemfontein on Saturday, after beating them 38-26 last weekend.
Although one will be tempted to expect the same result on Saturday, both sides definitely did not show all their cards, one or two surprises should be expected from both sides.
The Cheetahs should win, however .......
DHL Western Province vs Sigma Lions - 15/01/2022 @ 17h00.
The Lions will travel to Cape Town with a big target on their backs as the Western Province will be out to take revenge after they lost in their last URC match against the Lions (19-37) in early December 2021.
It is expected that both sides will play with their URC Squads in preparation for the URC season which will restart next weekend.
Expect a very physical game played at a fast pace with "revenge" giving Western Province may be the smallest of an edge.