Thrilling rugby expected in Absa Currie Cup Semi-finals
Photo: Anton Geyser / Rugby 15
With two just knockout rounds left until the 2015 Absa Currie Cup champions are crowned this year, the four remaining teams in the country’s oldest and most prestigious domestic rugby competition have it all to play for in the two Semi-finals this weekend.
DHL Western Province, the 2014 champions, travel to Pretoria for their clash on Friday evening against the Vodacom Blue Bulls. The Bulls, who finished second on the log, will host their first Absa Currie Cup Semi-final since 2008, with the match starting at 19h00.
The in-form Xerox Golden Lions, meanwhile, have so far swept aside every challenge before them this season and they are currently on a ten-match unbeaten run in the competition. They are playing in the second Semi-final at home in Johannesburg at Emirates Airline Park against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs. This Saturday fixture kick-off at 13h45.
The clash in Pretoria will mark the third time that the two great North South rivals meet this season, and they currently share the spoils between them with a home victory each. Last year, the Cape side defeated their rivals 31-23 in the Semi-final at Newlands.
Province eventually went on to lift the coveted Absa Currie Cup trophy in front of their home crowd after former coach Allister Coetzee’s charges edged the Golden Lions 19-16 in the 2014 final.
The Golden Lions scored a runaway 73-31 victory over the Cheetahs in their round-robin meeting last month in Bloemfontein and they should be fresh and rejuvenated after fielding a new-look side for last weekend’s last league fixture against the ORC Griquas.
However, the Cheetahs will approach the meeting with the Lions knowing that previous form will count for nothing in the knockout phase. They managed to escape defeat against the Sharks last Saturday thanks to a gritty fightback in Bloemfontein, and this week they will have to show that fighting spirit from the start against the team that have so far have thrived on their high-tempo, fast attacking style of play.
Brief summary of team news
Vodacom Blue Bulls – Coach Nollis Marais has named Jacques du Plessis at lock for Friday night’s clash against DHL Western Province at Loftus Versfeld. Du Plessis was a late withdrawal to the team that edged the Steval Pumas 25-24 in Nelspruit last weekend, but he is ready to reclaim his regular No4 spot in the team. RG Snyman, who replaced Du Plessis for the Pumas match, moves back to the bench as impact player, but his replacement in Nelspruit, Jason Jenkins, retains his spot on the bench. Jenkins will take over from Ruan Steenkamp as the fourth loose forward as Marais opted for more bulk on the bench.
DHL Western Province – WP were boosted by the return of several fit-again regulars for their clash in Pretoria. Fullback Cheslin Kolbe, wing Seabelo Senatla, centre Johnny Kotze, flank Rynhardt Elstadt, lock Ruan Botha and hooker Bongi Mbonambi all return to the starting XV this week. The return of the physical Elstadt especially is a major boost for WP as he missed the last four matches with a thigh problem. Skipper Juan de Jongh will lead the defending champions into battle and will pair up with Johnny Kotze in midfield, with Senatla, Dillyn Leyds and Kolbe forming a dangerous back three. Nic Groom and Robert du Preez are the halfbacks, with scrumhalf Jano Vermaak back on the bench after missing WP’s last two matches with a groin strain. Prop Oli Kebble has shaken off an ankle injury and will start on the bench, where he is joined by lock Chris van Zyl.
Xerox Golden Lions – After last week’s wholesale changes against the ORC Griquas, the regulars return for the playoff in Johannesburg. Captain Jaco Kriel (flank) will again lead the team while the leadership group of Warren Whiteley (No 8), Ross Cronjé (scrumhalf) and Howard Mnisi (inside centre) are all back on duty. Prop Jacques van Rooyen and flanker Steph de Wit started off the bench last weekend and are back in the run-on team. Centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, hooker Robbie Coetzee, flyhalf Jaco van der Walt, winger Sampie Mastriet, forward utility Fabian Booysen and impact specialist Kwagga Smith will all do duty on the bench.
Toyota Free State Cheetahs – Niel Marais starts at flyhalf, with Sias Ebersohn dropping down to the subs. On the bench, hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld is back after doing duty for Namibia in the Rugby World Cup and replaces Neil Rautenbach in the No 16 jersey. Prop Maks van Dyk is fit and replaces Teunis Nieuwoudt amongst the reserves. Also, Freddy Ngoza makes way for AJ Coertzen on the bench.
Match officials and kick-off times
Pro Legoete will replace Marius van der Westhuizen as the referee for the Absa Currie Cup Semi-final on Friday between the Vodacom Blue Bulls and DHL Western Province in Pretoria. Van der Westhuizen was forced to withdraw from the match due to an ankle injury. Jaco van Heerden will referee the Johannesburg match. Both Absa Currie Cup Semi-finals will be televised live on SuperSport 1.
The two Absa Under-19 A-Division Semi-finals will be played on Friday, while the Absa Under-21 A-Division Semi-finals will be contested on Saturday.
Absa Currie Cup fixtures:
Friday, 16 October 2015
Absa Currie Cup Premier Division Semi-final
Vodacom Blue Bulls vs DHL Western Province
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19h00
Referee: Pro Legoete
Absa Under-19 A-Division Semi-final
Eastern Province U19 vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs U19
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Absa Under-19 A-Division Semi-final
Vodacom Blue Bulls U19 vs DHL Western Province U19
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 16h30
Referee: Archie Sehlako
Saturday, 17 October 2015
Absa Currie Cup Premier Division Semi-final
Xerox Golden Lions vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 13h45
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Absa Under-21 A-Division Semi-Final
Toyota Free State Cheetahs U21 vs Cell C Sharks U21
Venue: Free State Rugby Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Francois Pretorius
Absa Under-21 A-Division Semi-Final
DHL Western Province U21 vs Xerox Golden Lions U21
Venue: City Park, Cape Town
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
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