The 2 fixtures will both take place at DHL Newlands, with the Stormers taking on the Lions in the opener on Friday 27 January and then the Cheetahs on Saturday 4 February. The games form an important part of each of the teams preparation for the rigours of Vodacom Super Rugby.

Charles Brewer, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa for DHL said, “The Newlands Faithful are hungry for rugby again and DHL are very happy to play an integral role in delivering these games to Cape Town. Whilst all the teams have been hard at work on fitness and rugby specifics, actual game time is a crucial part of pre-season preparation. The series facilitates this, whilst giving our supporters the opportunity to see the DHL Stormers in action against some top local opposition. We will also be utilising a game to bring some of our supporters that have not had the privilege of attending a live Stormers game at DHL Newlands to the venue.”

DHL Pre-Season Series fixtures at DHL NEWLANDS RUGBY STADIUM are as follows:

DHL STORMERS vs MTN LIONS : Fri 27 January (19h00)
DHL STORMERS vs TOYOTA CHEETAHS : Sat 4 February (17h00)

Tickets for the DHL Pre-Season Series will be available as of noon on 18 January, from any Post Net outlet, or online at www.ticketpros.co.za (with collection at any Post Net outlet). Alternatively tickets can be purchased at the WP Rugby ticket office, from 24 January.

Ticket Prices

All seating: R40.00:
Danie Craven Standing: R20.00
Scholars Enclosure: R10.00

The initial rumours, circulated via an individual’s blog website stated that the information was received from a “reliable source”, but would not name the source.

The Golden Lions Rugby Union would like to reiterate the comments that “they are malicious rumours” made on Twitter in response to numerous queries from supporters.

”Statements such as those made by this individual are incredibly damaging as they create an unnecessary sense of unease and panic amongst those within the Union structures. We will not tolerate this and are seeking legal advice”, President of the GLRU Mr. Kevin de Klerk said.

Further statements in this individual’s blog stated ‘given that the Lions have been in financial poo for a while, I can well believe this news. After all the previous investors did not pull out of the deal without reason…’

”The relationship with the previous equity partners did not work out, but the matter was closed on 28 June 2011 and we will not rehash or reopen that discussion”, de Klerk said.

The closing line of the article states ‘that John Mitchell and his team performed despite this is the amazing, yet slightly sad, side to the story’.

The fact of the matter is that the team performed so well due to the stability and continuity experienced within the Lions. The coaching staff and players received support from management and administrators in every way possible, and the results speak for themselves.

”The new equity partners, in conjunction with the existing management, have made numerous changes within the Union’s structures and we are in a better position at the moment than we have been in quite some time. The Union is growing in both strength and stature and rumours such as these started by one individual can potentially undo much of the good work done over the past few months.

”This matter is now considered closed and until we have had formal discussions with our legal team on the way forward, we will not be commenting any further”, Mr. de Klerk concluded.

Boom Prinsloo. Photo by Mark Nolan/ Getty Images

South Africa scored a morale boosting 21-5 win over New Zealand on Friday to top Pool B at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens and to book a quarterfinal clash against France on Saturday morning.

The Blitzbokke started impressively and dominated possession in the first half, crossing the try line twice before scoring at their third attempt when captain, Kyle Brown, fittingly dotted down after Branco du Preez and Mark Richards were both held up in the tackle.

Robert Ebersohn then took a Boom Prinsloo backhand pass to score under the post to give South Africa a well-earned 14-0 lead at the break.

DJ Forbes replied for the Kiwis after play resumed and after the impressive Frankie Horne had lost the ball going forward. South Africa coach Paul Treu then made some changes and teenager William Small-Smith, one of the replacements, took the ball at full speed on the sharp angle to burst through near the post to seal the match for the Springbok Sevens.

Scrumhalf Mark Richards had another excellent match while Horne, for so many seasons the cornerstone of the South African forwards, also had another good outing. He was strong going forward and helped the Blitzbokke to win two crucial turnovers.

South Africa, who claimed third place in the Australian tournament last week, should gain much confidence from their dominant defensive display against the powerful reigning World Series champions.

While True was understandably satisfied with especially the performance against the Kiwis, he cautioned that the unpredictable French will be formidable opposition tomorrow.

“New Zealand are formidable on attack and we needed to stick to our game plan, which I think worked very well. Branco du Preez came through well after playing for the first time in six months while Mark Richards again played a solid match. Overall, I am well pleased but it all start from scratch tomorrow against France,” said Treu

The Cup quarterfinal draw for Saturday:

Fiji vs. Australia

England vs. New Zealand

Wales vs. Argentina

South Africa vs. France

South Africa 36, USA 7

The Springbok Sevens were excellent throughout both halved against a resilient USA and won their second encounter of the day quite comfortably by 36-7.

Kyle Brown scored after only 40 seconds, Branco du Preez – in for Cecil Afrika – scored his first of the season before Renfred Dazel scored his 45th World Series try to stretch the halftime lead to 17-0. Botha, Boom Prinsloo and Mark Richard added three more tries for the Blitzbokke while Peter Riberio scored a consolation touchdown for the USA.

South Africa 17, Portugal 5

South Africa started the day with a subdued 17-5 win over Portugal who restricted the Blitzbokke to a halftime lead of only 5-0 with Bernado Botha the only player score.

The Springbok Sevens however upped the pace in the second half and opened a comfortable 17-0 lead courtesy of tries by captain, Kyle Brown, and William Small-Smith. South Africa and 15 other international teams arrive next Sunday evening in Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth for round three of the HSBC Sevens World Series on 9-10 December.

South Africa Women

The first ever IRB-sanctioned Women’s Sevens event kicked off today, the IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup, contested in Dubai alongside the second round of the World Series.

The South African Women lost their opening match 22-10 against the USA and then ran England close before losing an exciting match 22-19. They wiped out a deficit of 17-0 to lead 19-17 with seconds remaining before England scored the clincher. Mandisa Williams’ team ended the day on a high by beating China 28-14.

“Ever since being a little boy growing up in South Africa, it’s been my dream to play for the Springboks,” the talented halfback told reporters on today.

Pretorius has signed with the Waratahs for the next two years, although he’ll be going back home to feature in the prestigious South African Interprovincial season, the Currie Cup, next October.

Nursing a minor groin injury which has forced him to take a three-week break from squad training, Pretorius said he is settling into life in Sydney and has made the most of his time off to go shopping with his wife.

The pair are expecting their first child in April.

Pretorius was named South Africa’s Super Rugby player of the year last season, however Waratahs’ coach Michael Foley said the player had shown no signs of letting success go to his head and commended the halfback on his strong work ethic.

“He’s a great player and has settled in really well to our club so far,” Foley said.

Photo by Andrew Schoeman / Rugby15

Cape Town – Springbok centre Adrian Jacobs is eager to play for the Stormers after his contract with the Sharks was not renewed.

Sport24 reported on Tuesday that Jacobs is set to leave the Durban-based franchise after a frustrating 2011 season where he found himself behind Marius Joubert, Stefan Terblanche and Meyer Bosman in the pecking order, and also missed out on Springbok selection for the Rugby World Cup.

Die Burger newspaper reports that Jacobs’s contract with the Durban-based side was not renewed and that he is interested in playing his rugby in the Cape.

Jacobs was apparently on his way to Cape Town on Tuesday and said he would consider an option from the Stormers if they are interested.

“The Cape is my home and I wouldn’t easily say no if the Stormers are interested.

“I have talked to Boland but haven’t heard back from them yet,” said Jacobs.

However, the 31-year-old’s main priority at this stage is to spend as much time as possible with his family. He has an 11-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son.

He made his debut for the Sharks in 2001 and also played in 28 Tests for the Springboks.

(www.news24.co.za)

MTN Lions in photo by Denese Lups

The MTN Lions’ big match temperament is what saw them victorious over the Sharks this past weekend as they lifted the coveted Currie Cup for the first time in 12 years with a 42-16 victory at Ellis Park.

Arguably one of the best and most passionate encounters in Currie Cup history for a long time, the MTN Lions proved to be the best team because they clearly had the determination and willpower to make the multitudes of supporters proud, by breaking a 71 year spell and clinching the team’s first outright home-ground victory at Ellis Park since 1950.

In January this year, MTN South Africa came on board as the main sponsor of the Golden Lions, in one of MTN’s most exciting sponsorship deals in years. At the outset, MTN highlighted that the investment would aim to rejuvenate the game of rugby, drive involvement from the Lions supporters’ base and focus on player development.

It has been just 10 months since MTN brought their “Ayoba” to the MTN Lions and in the inaugural season backing the team, the MTN Lions have won the Currie Cup Final for the first time in more than a decade.

At the start of this year, all stakeholders involved with the Golden Lions Rugby Union were determined that the MTN Lions would make a major comeback and reclaim its rightful place as the strong force it once was. Despite some challenges this season, the innovative changes introduced at the Lions, including the appointment of Coach John Mitchell and amongst others, the backing of MTN as a new partner and sponsor, this season saw the reawakening of the MTN Lions, and the return of the team to its former glory.

“We are exceptionally proud of the MTN Golden Lions’ for winning the Absa Currie Cup and showcasing outstanding companionship throughout the tournament. MTN is delighted that our investment in the Golden Lions, has helped the team to achieve some of its key objectives in the first year of our sponsorship of the team and has brought about resurgence for the MTN Golden Lions.” says MTN South Africa Chief Marketing Officer, Serame Taukobong.

As the leader of mobile operations in developing markets, MTN South Africa has always sought to invest in areas that celebrate the diversity of people, with the opportunity of uniting and unifying those communities using a common thread. The Golden Lions was the perfect platform to demonstrate how the Ayobaness brand could bring a fresh approach and add sparkle to favoured and traditional rugby team.

The vision was for every game to become an event in itself. To this end, MTN supported the Golden Lions by introducing innovations to the franchise, including an exciting line up of pre match entertainment for supporters, such as fun activities for kids at the MTN World of Rugby. The players then did their part and rounded up the day with resilient field of play which ultimately saw them thrive throughout the tournament.

This repackaging of the MTN Lions rugby games started to attract a wide cross-section of fans, from the loyal supporters who have followed the team for decades to those who had never set foot at a rugby match before. Soon the crowds swelled from a few thousand in the earlier games in the season, to a 58 000 plus capacity crowd that roared with pride at the Currie Cup final last weekend.

Another one of the key objectives of the franchise was also to bring back foreign-based players that would add international experience to the Lions side, and for MTN Lions players to be eligible for Springbok selection. This too has been achieved, with Butch James receiving a call up for the Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand earlier this month.

“Ten months down the line, since MTN took the decision to back the team, the MTN Lions have reclaimed their rightful place in South African rugby, as such MTN would like to congratulate the Lions for the sterling performance this year.” concludes Taukobong.

Photo by Denese Lups | Rugby15 | www.phototalk.co.za

It was a significant triumph, as it was the Golden Lions’ first outright Absa Currie Cup final victory on home soil since 1950 and their first title since 1999 after losing in the finals of 2002 and 2007.

The winning margin of 26 points is higher than the two biggest Absa Currie Cup finals victories of the last decade, both recorded by the Vodacom Blue Bulls when they beat the MTN Golden Lions in 2006 (31-7) and The Sharks in 2003 (40-19).

The only bigger win in an Absa Currie Cup final than yesterday’s, came in 1980 when the Vodacom Blue Bulls, then still called Northern Transvaal, beat Western Province by 39-9.

The MTN Golden Lions have been the pace-setters all season and built their victory in the final on a superb defensive performance, while they also used their attacking opportunities better than The Sharks, outscoring the visitors by three tries to one.

Golden Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies contributed 24 points and was named Man of the Match, while Jaco Taute scored a try and added a crucial long-range penalty goal. Michael Killian and Patric Cilliers scored the home team’s two other tries.

Jantjies’ points tally is just two fewer than the record of 26 set by Derick Hougaard in 2002, while the Lions flyhalf’s fellow SA U20 team-mate from last year, Patrick Lambie, contributed 25 points in last year’s final for The Sharks, when they defeated DHL Western Province by 30-10 in Durban.

For The Sharks, Willem Alberts crossed for a try that was converted by Frederic Michalak, who also added three penalty goals.

John Mitchell, coach of the MTN Golden Lions, lauded his team’s calmness under pressure as one of the reasons for their great victory. Late in the first half Springbok prop CJ van der Linde was sin-binned for dangerous play, but the Lions did not concede a single point while they were playing with only 14 men.

“When we were down to 14 men, we remained calm and the guys didn’t drop in their performance. This team also kept their composure after the Sharks’ try, which I thought was a dubious decision. I’m very proud of how the team handled those incidents very well as we adapted to the situation,” said Mitchell.

“These past few weeks have been phenomenal. The fact that we played in front of a packed Coca-Cola Park showed how well the guys were playing, and the support has been great.

“People assumed I was crazy to take the job as Lions coach, but I love a challenge and my dream was to restore the pride that was once here in Johannesburg. I know it’s been a frustrating number of years for all Lions fans, who probably had to turn the telly upside down to see their team on top of the log.

“The results weren’t going the team’s way and that hurts because supporters have an emotional connection to their team. I’m very happy with what has been achieved over the last 16 months.”

Sharks coach John Plumtree praised the MTN Golden Lions for a superb performance in the Absa Currie Cup final.

“We were outplayed in every area of the game and were beaten by the better team. They were backed by a massive crowd, they attacked and defended well, and when they got in front it was always going to be difficult for us,” said Plumtree, who coached The Sharks to Absa Currie Cup titles in 2008 and 2010.

“They had created a lot of momentum since the start of this competition and we weren’t able to stop them today. I think they were probably the more cohesive side.”

Scorers:

MTN Golden Lions – Tries: Michael Killian, Patric Cilliers, Jaco Taute. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3). Penalties: Jantjies (5), Taute. Drop goal: Jantjies.

The Sharks – Try: Willem Alberts. Conversion: Frederic Michalak. Penalties: Michalak (3).

Teams:

MTN Golden Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 CJ van der Linde. Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Warren Whiteley, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Butch James, 21 Dylan Des Fountain, 22 James Kamana.

The Sharks: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Marius Joubert, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel (captain), 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Jean Deysel, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Eugene van Staden, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Adrian Jacobs, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.

Absa Under-19 A-Division

The Golden Lions made it two from three as their Under-19s fought back to beat the Blue Bulls in the first final of the day by 20-19.

In the Absa U19 A-Division final, the Blue Bulls were well on their way to a win. They lead 6-3 at the break, which they extended to 13-3 early in the second half when Wiaan Liebenberg scored a try.

But the home team remained calm and chipped away at the Bulls’ lead. They ended up scoring three tries after the break for a narrow victory.

Scorers:

Golden Lions U19 – Tries: Errol Jagger, Tiaan Putter, Stephan Nel. Conversion: Marais Schmidt. Penalty: Schmidt.

Blue Bulls U19 – Try: Wiaan Liebenberg. Conversion: Tony Jantjies. Penalties: Jantjies (4).

Absa Under-21 A-Division

The Blue Bulls made up in the second final of the day when they beat the Sharks in a highly entertaining Absa Under-21 A-Division final by 46-30.

The Pretoria-based team scored six tries to the three of the Sharks as they dominated proceedings from the outset.

Three of the Bulls’ tries came in the first 25 minutes, with the SA Under-20 captains of the last two seasons, CJ Stander and Arno Botha, both crossing the Sharks’ tryline.

The KwaZulu-Natalians’ nippy scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, whose late father Jaco was a Springbok wing and a Springbok sprinter in the 1980s, scored two of his team’s tries. The Sharks U21s fought back well in the second half, but unfortunately their fullback Gouws Prinsloo had an off day with the boot and missed five of his 11 kicks at goal.

With less than five minutes left on the clock, the Blue Bulls were ahead by on36-30, but a late converted try by Dalton Davis and a second penalty goal by flyhalf Louis Fouché sealed the victory for the team from Pretoria.

Scorers:

Blue Bulls U21 – Tries: Juan Schoeman, Courtnall Skosan, Arno Botha, CJ Stander, Franco Mostert, Dalton Davis. Conversions: Louis Fouché (5). Penalties: Fouché (2).

Sharks U21 – Tries: Cobus Reinach (2), Francois Kleinhans. Conversions: Gouws Prinsloo (3). Penalties: Prinsloo (3).

Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo

The MTN Golden Lions will be aiming for their first outright Absa Currie Cup Final victory on home soil since 1950 when they host The Sharks at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday at 17:30.

It seems amazing, but the last time the Golden Lions won an Absa Currie Cup Final at their home ground, was 61 years ago, when they were still called Transvaal and they beat Western Province by 22-11. 

Since then the Johannesburg-based union have won finals in Wellington (beat Boland by 11-9 in 1952), Springs (beat the Valke by 25-19), Durban (beat The Sharks by 21-15 in 1993 and by 32-9 in 1999) and Bloemfontein (beat Free State by 56-33 in 1994). 

In 1971 they drew with northern neighbours, the Blue Bulls, at Ellis Park (14-14), while the Golden Lions have lost home finals in 1987 (24-18 to the Blue Bulls), 1992 (14-13 to The Sharks), 1996 (33-15 to The Sharks) and 2002 (31-7 to the Blue Bulls).

Compared to the MTN Golden Lions’ recent performances in the Absa Currie Cup, The Sharks have a better record when it comes to lifting the trophy. In 2008 and 2010 they won the Final, on both occasions in Durban (beat the Vodacom Blue Bulls by 14-9 in 2008 and beat DHL WP by 30-10 last year).

There is one interesting similarity with the last time the team from KwaZulu-Natal managed to win back-to-back titles, in the mid-1990s.

In 1995, The Sharks beat DHL WP in the Final at Mr Price Kings Park (25-17) and the next year, in 1996, they travelled up to Johannesburg where they beat the MTN Golden Lions by 33-15.

Interestingly enough, in four previous Absa Currie Cup Finals between these two sides, the hosts have lost every single time.

They said it:

John Mitchell (coach of the MTN Golden Lions): “The set piece accuracy and your ability to create pressure in that area are crucial. The game hasn’t changed at all and you had an example of that over the weekend in the World Cup final. The Sharks are a very good side and very good forward pack with a heap of test players.

“But we are just focusing on our own performance and clearly we have total confidence in our forward pack and team. Right at this moment you don’t change a lot. All our work is done, so we we’ve just focused on being more accurate and bringing some of the attitude that is important at this time of the year.”

Keegan Daniel (captain of The Sharks): “A lot of us have played in finals while many Lions players have not, but then you could reverse that and say they have been together all year and we’ve had to bring in new guys. 

“I don’t think that will make too much difference. We know what it is like to play in a final not having won it for so long and the hunger that we had that day and they will bring the same hunger, I’m sure. For us, it’s about physically fronting up on the day, no matter who plays. You can’t live on reputation because that’s going to get you nowhere, you have to play as a team.”

Head to Head: MTN Golden Lions v The Sharks (since 2005)

16/07/2005         MTN Golden Lions 16     The Sharks 22    Durban

23/06/2006         MTN Golden Lions 22     The Sharks 33    Durban

19/08/2006         MTN Golden Lions 22     The Sharks 21    Johannesburg

30/06/2007         MTN Golden Lions 14     The Sharks 7       Johannesburg

01/09/2007         MTN Golden Lions 3       The Sharks 21    Durban

13/10/2007         MTN Golden Lions 19     The Sharks 12    Durban

26/07/2008         MTN Golden Lions 11     The Sharks 16    Durban

27/09/2008         MTN Golden Lions 20     The Sharks 34    Johannesburg

11/10/2008         MTN Golden Lions 14     The Sharks 29    Durban

15/08/2009         MTN Golden Lions 19     The Sharks 30    Johannesburg

03/10/2009         MTN Golden Lions 17     The Sharks 19    Durban

07/08/2010         MTN Golden Lions 19     The Sharks 48    Durban

25/09/2010         MTN Golden Lions 22     The Sharks 20    Johannesburg

27/08/2011         MTN Golden Lions 28     The Sharks 19    Johannesburg

15/10/2011         MTN Golden Lions 9       The Sharks 53    Durban

Played 15            MTN Golden Lions won 5             The Sharks won 10          Drawn 0 

Head to Head in Absa Currie Cup Finals

1992       MTN Golden Lions 13     The Sharks 14    Johannesburg

1993       MTN Golden Lions 21     The Sharks 15    Durban

1996       MTN Golden Lions 15     The Sharks 33    Johannesburg

1999       MTN Golden Lions 32     The Sharks 9       Durban

Played 4               MTN Golden Lions won 2             The Sharks won 2             Drawn 0 

Teams:

The MTN Golden Lions have named an unchanged match 22 from the team that beat DHL Western Province in their semi-final last week. The only possible change is on the bench, where Jacobie Adriaanse has been bracketed with JC Janse van Rensburg as reserve prop

The Sharks’ starting 15 is also unchanged from last weekend, when they beat the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in the first semi-final. On the bench, Alistair Hargreaves comes in for veteran loose forward Jacques Botes.

MTN Golden Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 CJ van der Linde. Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse/JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Warren Whiteley, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Butch James, 21 Dylan Des Fountain, 22 James Kamana.

The Sharks: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Marius Joubert, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel (captain), 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Jean Deysel, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Eugene van Staden, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Adrian Jacobs, 22 Lwazi Mvovo. 

Age Group Rugby 

The Blue Bulls’ Under-19 and Under-21 teams have progressed to their respective finals in the Absa Under-19 and Absa Under-21 A-Divisions.

At 12:30 on Saturday the U19s will battle it out with the hosts, the Golden Lions, while the Sharks U21s are the Bulls’ opponents in the second final on Saturday, at 14:30. 

Teams – Golden Lions U19 vs Blue Bulls U19

Golden Lions U19: 15 Marais Schmidt, 14 Tiaan Putter, 13 Jaco Viljoen, 12 JP du Plessis, 11 Errol Jaggers, 10 Duncan Campbell, 9 Vian van der Watt, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Stephan de Wit, 6 Stephan Nel, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Pieter Stemmet, 2 Mark Pretorius (captain), 1 Henri Boshoff. Replacements: 16 Rikus van Niekerk, 17 Gideon Muller, 18 Johan Rautenbach, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Fabian Booysen, 21 Louis Nel, 22 Ruan Barnard, 23 Luqmaan Ismail.

Blue Bulls U19: 15 Juan Nel, 14 Richard Dean Gorrah, 13 William Small-Smith (captain), 12 Christopher Bosch, 11 Travis Ismaiel, 10 Tony Jantjies, 9 Rudi van Rooyen, 8 Nardus van der Walt, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg, 6 Shaun Adendorff, 5 Marvin Orrie, 4 Schalk van Heerden, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Du Toit Genis. Replacements: 16 Jason Thomas, 17 Christoph Gouws, 18 Herman Groenwald, 19 Cloete Wessels, 20 Abrie Griesel, 21 Andile Jho, 22 Stefan Willemse, 23 Nico van Vuuren. 

Teams – Blue Bulls U21 vs Sharks U21

Blue Bulls U21: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Ulrich Beyers, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Louis Fouché, 9 Lohan Jacobs, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Jono Ross (captain), 6 Arno Botha, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Gerno Eksteen, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Jacques Momberg, 17 Basil Short, 18 JJ Breet, 19 Dalton Davis,20  Xander Redelinghuys, 21 Willie du Plessis, 22 Adri Jacobs.

Sharks U21: 15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Jaco van Tonder, 13 Piet Lindeque, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Sbura Sithole, 10 Paul Jordaan, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Brynard Stander, 6 Siseko Jafta, 5 Peet Marais, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Monde Hadebe (captain), 1 Danie Mienie. Replacements: 16 Shaun Malton, 17 Njabulo Mkize, 18 Mike Williams, 19 Chris Cloete, 20 Francois Kleinhans, 21 Fred Zeilinga, 22 Jared Meyer.

 Finals Match Officials

 Absa Currie Cup – MTN Golden Lions vs The Sharks

Referee: Mark Lawrence

Reserve referee: Marius Jonker

Assistant referees: Stefan Breytenbach and Christi du Preez

Television match official: Johann Meuwesen

Absa Under-21 – Blue Bulls vs Sharks

Referee: Quinton Immelman

Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge and Cobus Wessels

Television match official: Gerrie Coetzee

 Under-19 – Golden Lions vs Blue Bulls

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Tiaan Jonker and Reuben Rossouw

Television match official: JC Fortuin

Photo by Anesh Debiky /Gallo

Hargreaves will provide second row back-up off the bench after missing the last few games with Jacques Botes making way.

Continuity in team selection is vital and for The Sharks being able to select an almost unchanged line-up provides them with momentum necessary for a big game – their biggest game of the season.

These two teams finished first and second, both won their home semi-finals and it is only fitting that the pair will contest the final.

Chasing back-to-back titles after winning in 2010, The Sharks have a team laden with internationals while the Lions last won in 1999 and with their team full of hungry youngsters, present formidable opposition. The Sharks have welcomed back seven Springboks from World Cup duty which has been a major boost, but also meant that squad depth was tested during the pool stages. Unlike the Lions.

“When we won the trophy last year, we were lucky enough to have the same team from start to finish over the course of the tournament, we had a cohesive unit,” explains coach John Plumtree.

“This year we’ve had a lot of challenges which the Lions haven’t. The challenge for us is that we have to gel as a team right from the first whistle, that’s something we’ve talked about. They have that in place already and that will be the challenge for us. They’ve been playing well with that group all year. They were able to lighten up against us when they played here recently, that performance meant nothing.

“I’m sure they’ve forgotten about that game, we have.”

The Sharks

15. Patrick Lambie

14. Odwa Ndungane

13. Stefan Terblanche

12. Marius Joubert

11. JP Pietersen

10. Frederic Michalak

9. Conrad Hoffmann

8. Ryan Kankowski

7. Willem Alberts

6. Keegan Daniel (Captain)

5. Ross Skeate

4. Jean Deysel

3. Jannie du Plessis

2. Bismarck du Plessis

1. Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira

Replacements

16. Craig Burden

17. Eugene van Staden

18. Alistair Hargreaves

19. Marcell Coetzee

20. Ross Cronje

21. Adrian Jacobs

22. Lwazi Mvovo

Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo

October 26 – With the exception of prop JC Janse van Rensburg who is bracketed on the bench with last week’s prop replacement Jacobie Adriaanse, MTN Golden Lions coach John Mitchell has retained the squad of 22 that beat Western Province in the semi-final for the Absa Currie Cup final against the Sharks at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.

Last week’s starting side is unchanged – and World Cup prop CJ van der Linde who was included in the side after a hamstring injury to Van Rensburg will start again. The versatile Van der Linde did duty on the loosehead side where he has been selected again to face probably the Sharks’ front row full house of three World Cup Boks in Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and his brother Jannie. The Sharks side has not been announced.

On the bench the uncertainty regarding Van Rensburg’s injury has led to the bracketing of the two replacement props. Adriaanse was on the bench last weekend and saw ten minutes of action in the second half as a blood replacement.

“We’ll wait till just before the game before making the call on JC’s fitness,” Mitchell said on Wednesday.

It is the Lions first home final since 2002 when they lost to the Blue Bulls and their first final since 2007, when they lost in the final two minutes from time against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. Some 65 000 spectators will pack into a full house at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday with all the tickets sold out.

Three of the 2007 side involved in the Bloemfontein final are again in the match-22, albeit that Van Rensburg is bracketed as a replacement: lock Franco van der Merwe, replacement Cobus Grobbelaar who was then the run-on No 6 flank, and Van Rensburg who was on the bench but came on right at the end.

The MTN Golden Lions team to play the Sharks (kick-off 5.30pm) is:

15 Jaco Taute

14 Deon van Rensburg

13 Doppies la Grange

12 Alwyn Hollenbach

11 Michael Killian

10 Elton Jantjies

9 Michael Bondesio

8 Joshua Strauss (capt.)

7. Michael Rhodes

6. Derick Minnie

5 Franco van der Merwe

4 Wikus van Heerden

3 Patric Cilliers

2 Bandise Maku

1 CJ van der Linde.

Replacements:

16 Martin Bezuidenhout

17 Jacobie Adriaanse/ JC Janse van Rensburg

18 Warren Whiteley

19 Cobus Grobbelaar

20 Butch James

21 Dylan Des Fountain

22 James Kamana.

(www.lionsrugby.co.za)