The four South African Vodacom United Rugby Championship franchises will battle it out for the second week in a row in a jam-packed round today where they will look to build momentum and force their way up the standings after the postponement of a few fixtures at the end of 2021.
The Emirates Lions will be hunting their third victory of the season when they host their neighbours from Pretoria at Emirates Airline Park after suffering a disappointing defeat last week.
The Johannesburgers will take comfort from the fact that they scored five tries against the Cell C Sharks last week despite their defeat and they will look to build on that impressive attacking form when they take the field against the Vodacom Bulls, who will be desperate to move up the table after winning only one of their six matches so far this season.
However, injuries to several Emirates Lions key players will see them hosting a full-strength Vodacom Bulls side. Both coaches admitted that the game will be won up front and one feels that the Vodacom Bulls will once again start with a bang hoping to establish a lead big enough to cancel the Emirates Lions' final quarter comeback.
The Vodacom Bulls scrum will be under tremendous pressure while their lineouts will be a regular provider of quality ball for their exciting backs. The Bulls should have the upper hand in the loosies department, however, Jaco Kriel should be king on the ground. This all makes it extremely difficult to pick a winner.
The outside backs should be an interesting battle, however, will Morne Steyn once again steer the Vodacom Bulls to a much-needed victory? And he might just do that ......
Springbok Willem Alberts is set to start in the second row for the Emirates Lions. He replaces Pieter Jansen van Vuren who suffered a pectoral muscle injury during training this week. This means that former Junior Springbok Ruan Venter, fresh from Carling Currie Cup duty, could get an opportunity off the bench in the eagerly anticipated Jukskei Derby.
Emirates Lions Head Coach Ivan van Rooyen said "I feel for Pieter. He worked so hard to come back from his knee injury he suffered on tour. We wish him a speedy recovery from this latest setback."
"The opportunity now awaits Ruan, who's had a fantastic past few months, including a SA Rugby U20 Cup winner’s medal. He could possibly get his chance on Saturday."
"Providing opportunities to young players is a common theme for us here at the franchise and it’s something we pride ourselves in."
"In the same breath, the entire squad buys into what we are trying to achieve in the VURC , so everyone plays a key part towards that goal, concluded van Rooyen."
Elsewhere, Emmanuel Tshituka wears the seven jersey, with PJ Botha coming in at hooker for the injured Jaco Visagie.
Morne Brandon, Ruhan Straeuli and Sibusiso Sangweni complete the new additions to the replacements.
Canan Moodie will be the latest Vodacom Bulls player to make his Vodacom United Rugby Championship. The 19-year-old, who was vice-captain of the Vodacom Bulls Under-20 side last year, will earn a starting berth on the wing and will be the only uncapped player in the starting XV.
Moodie will be surrounded by a wealth of experience in the Vodacom Bulls backline which will see veteran Springbok flyhalf, Morné Steyn, returning to the starting team alongside scrumhalf Embrose Papier, while the midfield pairing will consist of Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe. Kurt-Lee Arendse will start at fullback this weekend with Madosh Tambwe at left wing.
Marcell Coetzee will also be back to lead the side after coming off the bench in last weekend’s match against DHL Stormers.
The front row will see a change with the props as Simphiwe Matanzima dons the No1 jersey and Jacques van Rooyen starts at tighthead prop, with Johan Grobbelaar retaining the No2 jumper.
“The Emirates Lions showed a good fight in their match against the Cell C Sharks last weekend. We have no doubts that they will want to build from that and go one better in search of a win in their own backyard this weekend,” said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.
“It is always a tough, physical battle against the Emirates Lions. They are a well-coached side that will throw everything at us. We are looking forward to another exciting Vodacom URC encounter.”
Weather: 21° Celsius, cloudy with rain expected and a moderated north/easterly wind
Prediction: Vodacom Bulls by 12
Emirates Lions: 15. EW Viljoen 14.Edwill van der Merwe 13. Wandisile Simelane 12. Burger Odendaal (c) 11. Sibahle Maxwane 10. Fred Zeilinga 9. Andre Warner 8. Francke Horn 7. Emmanuel Tshituka 6. Jaco Kriel (vc) 5. Willem Alberts 4. Ruben Schoeman 3. Carlu Sadie 2. PJ Botha 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. Morne Brandon 17. Morgan Naude 18. Ruan Dreyer 19. Ruan Venter 20. Ruhan Straeuli 21. Sibusiso Sangweni. 22.Morne van den Berg 23. Tiaan Swanepoel.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Madosh Tambwe, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Embrose Papier; 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. Arno Botha, 6. Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Jacques van Rooyen, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Robert Hunt, 19. Janko Swanepoel , 20. Muller Uys, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Chris Smith , 23. David Kriel.