Tafel Lager Griquas will host the Sigma Lions in Kimberley @ 15h30 in the first of today's three 2022 Carling Currie Cup fixtures. It is never easy to play Peacock Blues on their home turf in Kimberley and the Sigma Lions will have to show a huge improvement if they want to achieve any success in the Diamond City.
Last year, the Sigma Lions edged Tafel Lager Griquas by 45-42 in a superb match in Kimberley, after they lost at home to the men from the Northern Cape (31-41).
Sigma Lions is currently at the bottom of the 2022 Carling Currie Cup log on 2 log points while a win for Tafel Lager Griquas would go a long way to cement their place in the semi-finals and fourth place on the log.
Tafel Lager Griquas’ kicking machine Zander du Plessis (70 points) is currently the top point scorer in the Currie Cup competition. Du Plessis will again be an influential figure for the men from the Northern Cape when they welcome the team from Johannesburg to Tafel Lager Park.
“We know they will be desperate,” Pieter Bergh, head coach of Tafel Lager Griquas said of the winless Sigma Lions.
“This is a very important game for us, as we have a bye next week and to reach the playoffs we must win our home games, winning at home, against the Lions and Sharks, before going on the road, is vital for us.”.
Tafel Lager Griquas head coach Pieter Berg named his squad and only made three changes to the starting lineup. Sango Xamlashe at the centre and Johan Mulder at scrumhalf will make their first start for the Griquas. Simon Westraadt who has signed a two-year agreement with the Griquas will start at hooker.
Sigma Lions head coach Mzwakhe Nkosi named his side with nine changes to the starting line-up.
Jannie du Plessis takes over the captaincy with Asenathi Ntlabakanye moving to the bench. At the back, EW Viljoen comes in at fullback with Manuel Rass and Matt More as the new midfield combination. A new halfback combination in James Tedder and Ginter Smuts was also selected to the starting line-up.
Ruan Venter and Jarrod Cairns join Emmanuel Tshituka as the loose trio while Morne Brandon will start at hooker and new captain Jannie du Plessis at tighthead the last of four changes upfront.
Teams:
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15. Rynhardt Jonker, 14. Munier Hartzenberg, 13. Sango Xamlashe, 12. Zander du Plessis, 11. Luther Obi, 10. Theo Boshoff, 9. Johan Mulder, 8. Siba Qoma, 7. Janru Sirgel, 6. Niel Otto (c), 5. Derik Pretorius, 4. Mzwanele Zito, 3. Janu Botha, 2. Simon Westraadt, 1. Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Kudzwai Dude, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Luyolo Dapula, 20 Michael Amiras, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Prince Nkabinde.
Sigma Lions: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Matt More, 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 James Tedder, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Emanuel Tshituka, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Simon Dionisio, 4 Lunga Ncube, 3 Jannie du Plessis (c), 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith. Replacements: 16 Jacque-Louis du Toit, 17 Okuhle Siyeni, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 MJ Pelser, 20 Mark Snyman, 21 Jurich Claasens, 22 Luke Rossouw, 23 James Mollentze.