Two new captains for SA teams – Vodacom Super Rugby Round 7 Preview
Photo: Anton Geyser
All five the South African Vodacom Super Rugby teams are in action this weekend and two will have new captains leading them out.
The DHL Stormers and Cell C Sharks have entrusted the captaincy to Juan de Jongh and Jean Deysel respectively, in the place of Duane Vermeulen and Bismarck du Plessis.
In a third “captaincy change”, the Toyota Cheetahs’ Francois Uys is back after pulling out of last weekend’s match against the Crusaders at the eleventh hour, with Heinrich Brüssow taking over.
Uys and his team have another tough task this weekend, when they face the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday morning.
This match is followed by the DHL Stormers against the Highlanders, where Schalk Burger will reach the special milestone of playing in his 100th Vodacom Super Rugby match.
The two-time SA Rugby Player of the Year will become the 34th member of local Vodacom Super Rugby centurions.
The 31-year-old Burger, who made a remarkable recovery from serious injury and illness at the end of 2013 after 18 months on the sidelines, made his DHL Stormers debut at DHL Newlands against the Waratahs on March 13, 2004, a match won 27-23 by the Capetonians.
Burger made his Test debut a couple of months earlier, at the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2003, making him one of only 22 Springboks who played Test rugby before featuring in Vodacom Super Rugby.
The others are (in order of Test debut): Dawie Theron, Henry Tromp, Andre Venter, Russell Bennett, Andrew Aitken, Franco Smith, Gaffie du Toit, Kaya Malotana, Marius Joubert, Joe van Niekerk, Lawrence Sephaka, Brent Russell, Jean de Villiers, CJ van der Linde, Tim Dlulane, Michael Claassens, Bryan Habana, Meyer Bosman, Jaco Pretorius, Frans Steyn and Hilton Lobberts.
The three other matches featuring South African teams are on Friday morning and Saturday afternoon.
First up, the Emirates Lions play their final tour match in Brisbane against a Reds side looking to move away from the bottom of the log.
An action-packed weekend will conclude at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban, where Deysel’s Cell C Sharks host the Force, and Pretoria, where the Vodacom Bulls have a tough encounter against the Crusaders at Loftus Versfeld.
The full list of South African Vodacom Super Rugby centurions (active players in bold):
143: Victor Matfield (Cats 8, Bulls 135)
137: Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs 26, Sharks 111)
125: AJ Venter (Cats 19, Sharks 96, Stormers 10), John Smit (Sharks)
123: Morné Steyn (Bulls)
122: Stefan Terblanche (Sharks)
125: Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
118: Bryan Habana (Bulls 61, Stormers 57)
117: Odwa Ndungane (Bulls 10, Sharks 107)
116: Danie Rossouw (Bulls)
115: Jacques Botes (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks)
113: Pedrie Wannenburg (Bulls), Adi Jacobs (Bulls 21, Cats 4, Sharks 88)
112: Fourie du Preez (Bulls)
110: Wynand Olivier (Bulls), Adriaan Strauss (Bulls 13, Cheetahs 97)
109: Werner Kruger (Bulls)
108: Ollie le Roux (Natal 24, Sharks 60, Cats 3, Cheetahs 21), Meyer Bosman (Cheetahs 61, Sharks 47), Akona Ndungane (Bulls), Pierre Spies (Bulls)
105: Jean de Villiers (Stormers), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Keegan Daniel (Sharks)
104: Andries Bekker (Stormers), Jano Vermaak (Cats 11, Lions 62, Bulls 31), Peter Grant (Stormers),Willem Alberts (Lions 37, Sharks 67)
103: Duane Vermeulen (Cheetahs 20, Stormers 81)
102: Albert van den Berg (Cats 7, Sharks 95)
101: Ryan Kankowski (Sharks)
100: Bakkies Botha (Bulls)
99: Schalk Burger (DHL Stormers)
Reds v Emirates Lions
Date: Friday 27 March
SA Time: 11h00
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Matt O’Brien (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Team news:
- The Emirates Lions team shows only one change in the forwards, with Robbie Coetzee coming in at hooker with Armand van der Merwe reverting to the bench.
- Ross Cronje returns to the starting XV at scrumhalf and Faf de Klerk is on the bench, while Elton Jantjies shifts back to flyhalf.
- Sampie Mastriet shifts to left wing, making way for Ruan Combrinck who starts at right wing.
- Harold Vorster returns to the starting line-up at inside centre, while Andries Coetzee starts at fullback.
Stats:
- The Emirates Lions will be aiming for an unprecedented third win on Australasian tour on Friday, which would make this their most successful tour ever.
- They will go into the match with some confidence, having won two of their last three matches at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, in 2007 and 2009. The Reds won the corresponding fixture in 2012.
Quotes:
Emirates Lions coach Johan Ackermann: “The Reds are quite a tough side and they will be desperate to change their season, playing at home, so we’re expecting a big tussle.
“If you analyse them closely, you’ll realise that they are actually playing good rugby, but mistakes are costing them. We know we’re in for a big game, but we’re going into it with a lot of confidence and we have to ensure our set phases are good.
“They especially have a lot of skill and experience at the back, with guys such as Will Genia and Quade Cooper, who has the X-factor and will always try something new and spectacular. Their centres are big and they have Wallabies returning in Lachie Turner and James O’Connor, so it will be tough.”
The teams are:
Reds: Lachlan Turner, Chris Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Anthony Faingaa, James O’Connor, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Jake Schatz, Curtis Browning, Adam Thomson, James Horwill, David McDuling, Sam Talakai, James Hanson, James Slipper (captain). Replacements: Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley, Greg Holmes, Marco Kotze, Michael Gunn, Nicholas Frisby, Ben Tapuai, Chris Feauai-Sautia.
Emirates Lions: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Sampie Mastriet, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley (captain), Warwick Tecklenburg, Derick Minnie, Franco Mostert, Robert Kruger, Ruan Dreyer, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe. Replacements:Armand van der Merwe, Jacques van Rooyen, Julian Redelinghuys, Martin Muller, Jaco Kriel, Faf de Klerk, Marnitz Boshoff, Howard Mnisi.
Reds v Emirates Lions (since 2006):
Played 8; Emirates Lions Won 3, Reds won 4 and 1 draw
Points scored: 191
Points conceded: 212
Tries scored: 19
Tries conceded: 25
Average score: 27-24 to the Reds
Chiefs v Toyota Cheetahs
Date: Saturday, 28 March
SA Time: 08h35
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Team news:
- The Toyota Cheetahs will play with a brand-new front row this weekend in Maks van Dyk, Stephan Coetzee and BG Uys, with Torsten van Jaarsveld, Caylib Oosthuizen and Danie Mienie providing cover on the bench.
- There are three more changes to the pack – Francois Uys, a late withdrawal last weekend, is back at lock and will captain the side again, in the place of Carl Wegner.
- Due to the groin injury sustained by Oupa Mohoje – he has returned to South Africa and has been replaced by Tienie Burger – Jean Cook moves to flank and Boom Prinsloo starts at No 8 with Willie Britz on the bench.
- At the back, Shaun Venter and Tian Meyer swap places at scrumhalf, Michael van der Spuy comes in for Francois Venter at inside centre, Cornal Hendricks is back on the wing and Clayton Blommetjies moves to fullback.
- Springboks Coenie Oosthuizen and Willie le Roux, as well as Francois Venter are rested this week.
Stats:
- The last time the Chiefs hosted the Toyota Cheetahs, they recorded their biggest ever winning margin in Vodacom Super Rugby when they won by 45-3.
- Last year in Bloemfontein, when these two sides drew for a third time in history, was the highest-scoring draw in Vodacom Super Rugby history – the match finished 43-all.
- In 2010, the Toyota Cheetahs ended a 21-match losing streak Down Under when they drew 25-all with the Chiefs in Hamilton.
The teams are:
Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Bryce Heem, Seta Tamanivalu/Charlie Ngatai, Sonny Bill Williams, Tom Marshall, Aaron Cruden, Brad Weber, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane, Liam Messam (captain), Michael Fitzgerald, Matt Symons, Ben Tameifuna, Quentin MacDonald, Pauliasi Manu. Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Siate Tokolahi, Mitchell Graham, Michael Allardice, Johan Bardoul, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Marty McKenzie.
Toyota Cheetahs: Clayton Blommetjies, Cornal Hendricks, Johann Sadie, Michael van der Spuy, Raymond Rhule, Joe Pietersen, Shaun Venter, Boom Prinsloo, Jean Cook, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Uys (captain), Steven Sykes, Maks van Dyk, Stephan Coetzee, BG Uys. Replacements:Torsten van Jaarsveld, Caylib Oosthuizen, Danie Mienie, Carl Wegner, Willie Britz, Tian Meyer, Willie du Plessis, Rayno Benjamin.
Chiefs v Toyota Cheetahs (since 2006):
Played 8; Chiefs won 5 and 3 draws
Points scored: 188
Points conceded: 257
Tries scored: 17
Tries conceded: 34
Average score: 32-24 to the Chiefs
Highlanders v DHL Stormers
Date: Saturday 28 March
SA Time: 08h35
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Television match official: Chris Wratt (New Zealand)
Team news:
- The DHL Stormers will be captained by Juan de Jongh this week as Duane Vermeulen gets a break.
- Schalk Burger comes into the starting team for the first time this season in what will be his 100th Vodacom Super Rugby match. Nizaam Carr moves to No 8.
- Demetri Catrakilis and Nic Groom are back as halfback pairing, with Kurt Coleman and Louis Schreuder reverting to the bench.
- On the bench, Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble, Eben Etzebeth and Michael Rhodes will join Schreuder and Coleman.
Stats:
- The DHL Stormers’ last defeat to the Highlanders was way back in 2007 to Highlanders, when the team from Otago won 35-24 in Dunedin.
- Since then, the Capetonians have won six on the trot against the Highlanders, including two victories in the deep south of New Zealand – 21-6 in 2012 and 18-11 in 2009.
- The DHL Stormers scrum has been one of their main weapons this year as they have forced their opponents to a competition low scrum success rate of 69%, in the process stealing more scrums against the head than any other team this year on average.
Quotes:
DHL Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee: “We would love to start the tour on a good note as we did in 2012 (against the Highlanders), as it gave us momentum and the necessary belief to get more results away from home.
“We have a good understanding of what we need to do against the Highlanders on Saturday, but we know they’re a good team that does a lot right which puts their opposition under pressure.”
The teams are:
Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-captain), James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds. Replacements: Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Pingi Tala’apitanga, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Jason Emery.
DHL Stormers: Cheslin Kolbe, Kobus van Wyk, Juan de Jongh (captain), Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Nizaam Carr, Schalk Burger, Siya Kolisi, Manuel Carizza, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Michael Rhodes, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Huw Jones.
Highlanders v DHL Stormers (since 1998):
Played 17; DHL Stormers won 7, Highlanders won 7 and 1 draw
Points scored: 380
Points conceded: 387
Tries scored: 42
Tries scored: 44
Average score: 23-22 to the Highlanders
Cell C Sharks v Force
Date: Saturday, 28 March
SA Time: 17h05
Venue: Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Nic Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha (South Africa), Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Team news:
- The Cell C Sharks have named Jean Deysel, back from injury, as captain in place of the suspended Bismarck du Plessis. Kyle Cooper comes in at hooker.
- Marcell Coetzee, Pat Lambie and Cobus Reinach will rest this week, meaning starts for Deysel and Conrad Hoffmann, while Frans Steyn moves from inside centre to flyhalf.
- The new faces on the bench are Monde Hadebe, Thomas du Toit, Stefan Ungerer and Fred Zeilinga are the new faces.
Stats:
- The Cell C Sharks’ six-match winning streak against the Force is currently their second best against a single opponent. Their best is 10 consecutive wins against the Blues, dating back to 2006.
- On two of their last four visits to Durban, the Force haven taken home a losing bonus point.
- The team from Western Australia have a winning record of eight from 22 in South Africa, or 36.4%, including victories in Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Kimberley. However, they have never won in Durban.
Quotes:
Cell C Sharks assistant coach Paul Anthony: ““Going into that Cheetahs’ match, we put a mark on that game as the one where we really wanted to turn the ship around. We knew it would take massive character to do that, and we managed to come away with the win.
“We just want to keep evolving every week and really put in a massive effort over the next three weeks, and obviously targeting this Saturday to deliver a massive game.
“With that character display behind us, if we can keep our discipline and mould that into a 15-man onslaught, that would be great. We really want to have a crack at it, but we know the Force will be hurting and just itching to come back after last weekend’s last-minute loss to the Bulls, so we will have to be mentally and physical prepared.”
The teams are:
Cell C Sharks: SP Marais, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, André Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Frans Steyn, Conrad Hoffmann, Ryan Kankowski, Jean Deysel (captain), Renaldo Bothma, Marco Wentzel, Mouritz Botha, Jannie du Plessis, Kyle Cooper, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Monde Hadebe, Thomas du Toit, Lourens Adriaanse, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Daniel du Preez, Stefan Ungerer, Fred Zeilinga, Waylon Murray.
Force: Luke Morahan, Marcel Brache, Kyle Godwin, Luke Burton, Nick Cummins, Sias Ebersohn, Alby Mathewson, Ben McCalman, Kane Koteka, Steve Mafi, Adam Coleman, Sam Wykes (captain), Tetera Faulkner, Nathan Charles, Pekahou Cowan. Replacements: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Oliver Hoskins, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Angus Cottrell, Ian Prior, Zack Holmes, Dane Haylett-Petty.
Cell C Sharks v Force (since 2006):
Played 8; Cell C Sharks won 7, Force won 1
Points scored: 234
Points conceded: 125
Tries scored: 27
Tries scored: 10
Average score: 29-16 to the Cell C Sharks
Vodacom Bulls v Crusaders
Date: Saturday 28 March
SA Time: 19h10
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
Television match official: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
Team news:
- The Vodacom Bulls’ backline is unchanged for the fourth consecutive match.
- Upfront, Victor Matfield returns at lock for Grant Hattingh, who moves down to the bench, while the props are shuffled around – this time Trevor Nyakane is back at tighthead with Morné Mellett at loosehead, while Dean Greyling and Marcel van der Merwe moves to the bench.
- Lappies Labuschagne has been ruled out due to injury, with Arno Botha coming in at flank and Hanro Liebenberg on the bench.
Stats:
- The Crusaders hold the record for the most points scored in a single match against the Vodacom Bulls when they won by 75-27 in 2000.
- The last eight contests between these two sides have been won by the home team, with the honours split four-each.
- The Crusaders’ last victory in Pretoria was in 2008 when they beat the Vodacom Bulls by 54-19 at Loftus Versfeld.
- The Vodacom Bulls and Crusaders are the teams with the highest average points scored thus far in 2015 – 28.6 for the Cantabrians and 27.4 for the men from Pretoria.
Quotes:
Vodacom Bulls head coach Frans Ludeke: “We did a lot of things well against the Force, but our execution and defence were lacking. We failed to deliver the knock-out punch when they had 13 men on the field.
“It is a mind-set as well, but few challenges are greater than beating the Crusaders, so I am pretty sure the guys will be up for it. It certainly showed in this week’s training.”
Vodacom Bulls captain Pierre Spies: “We did some good things, but also played poorly at times and that nearly cost us the match. It is just not good enough at this level. We need to show we are the championship side we believe we are.
“Hopefully we will have the crowd support this week. This Crusaders team is a good one, but this is our turf and we need to defend it. We have lost twice at home and we cannot allow it to happen again. I think we have turned the corner and is keen to lead the guys onto the field.”
The teams are:
Vodacom Bulls: Jesse Kriel, Francois Hougaard, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Handré Pollard, Rudy Paige, Pierre Spies (captain), Arno Botha, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield, Jacques du Plessis, Trevor Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss, Morné Mellett. Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Dean Greyling, Marcel van der Merwe, Grant Hattingh, Hanro Liebenberg, Piet van Zyl, Tian Schoeman, Jurgen Visser.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Kieron Fonotia, Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Nemani Nadolo, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain), Richie McCaw, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Joe Moody. Replacements: Codie Taylot, Wyatt Crockett, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd, Mitchell Drummond, Colin Slade, David Havili.
Vodacom Bulls v Crusaders (since 1998):
Played 21; Vodacom Bulls won 7; Crusaders won 14
Points scored: 487
Points conceded: 710
Tries scored: 46
Tries scored: 80
Average score: 34-23 to the Crusaders
Other fixtures (SA kick-off times):
Friday, 27 March:
08h35: Hurricanes v Rebels – Wellington
Saturday, 28 March:
10h40: Waratahs v Blues – Sydney
Bye: Brumbies
Related Posts
« Vodacom Bulls vs Crusaders Teamsheets #SupeRugby Toyota Free State XV Team Announcement »
