Thrilling rugby expected in Absa Currie Cup Semi-finals

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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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