This weekend’s penultimate of round of Carling Currie Cup Premier Division action sees a top-of-the log tussle between the Vodacom Bulls and Fidelity ADT Lions on Friday afternoon, while a couple of teams will realise it’s make or break as the semi-finals loom.
The Jukskei Derby – the second clash of the ninth round – kicks off at 17h15 at Midstream College in Centurion near Pretoria.
Earlier on Friday, at 15h00 in Kimberley, Suzuki Griquas and Toyota Cheetahs clash in a crucial meeting for the defending champions from the Free State, who must return to Bloemfontein with a win if they want to stay in contention for a semi-final spot.
Only one match takes place on Saturday when the in-form Hollywoodbets Sharks XV host the NovaVit Griffons from 13h00 in Durban. That clash will be followed by Sunday’s final match of the round in Stellenbosch, between DHL Western Province and the Airlink Pumas, from 15h00.
As things stand, Vodacom Bulls are leading the standings on 36 points, courtesy of seven wins and a draw from their eight games, which is three more than their Gauteng neighbours. With just two more league matches to remaining, including this weekend’s fixtures, it comes down to a race between the chasing pack of three – the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV (26), Toyota Cheetahs and Airlink Pumas (both 24) – for the remaining two semi-final spots.
Suzuki Griquas get the weekend action started when they welcome holders Toyota Cheetahs to the Diamond City on Friday afternoon, when the hosts will look to add some spark to what has been a below-par campaign in the famous provincial competition. The 2022 runners up are languishing second from bottom, and they will be determined to give much better account of themselves in their two remaining games.
As demonstrated last week during the opening quarter of their match in Pretoria, Suzuki Griquas have the potential to play good rugby, however, inconsistency has hampered their campaign. They remain a dangerous outfit thought, especially on the hard surface in Kimberley.
The Toyota Cheetahs will travel to their neighbours knowing what needs to be done to remain in the playoff race, but after losing at home to the Fidelity ADT Lions last weekend, they will have to up their game if they want to leave Kimberley with a crucial win.
The Vodacom Bulls are taking their derby with the Fidelity ADT Lions to Midstream College in Centurion, south of Pretoria, as an initiative to take the game closer to their young fan base. The unfamiliar venue should however have no bearing on their status as favourites.
Coached by Phiwe Nomlomo, the Vodacom Bulls have both history and form in their favour against their Gauteng neighbours, this season coached by Mzwakhe Nkosi. The log leaders have not lost to the Fidelity ADT Lions in the last five years and their strong player pool means they can easily rotate without sacrificing any of their strengths.
An exciting clash is in the offering against the team from Johannesburg, who this year have played a style of rugby built on solid defence, attacking panache and a hardworking forward pack. A win for the hosts in Centurion will seal their number status on the log with a game to spare.
Elsewhere, the young and exciting Hollywoodbets Sharks XV are the in-form side with an unbeaten run of five games, and the KZN team are firm favourites at home against the NovaVit Griffons in Saturday’s only fixture.
On Sunday, the Airlink Pumas – champions in 2022 and runners up last year – travel to Stellenbosch for a crucial clash with DHL WP, with the knowledge that only a win will keep them in contention for a semi-final spot.
The young Cape side have struggled to make an impact this season and managed only two wins from eight games to date. The team from Mpumalanga have an experienced coach in the seasoned Jimmy Stonehouse, who knows that only a win will be good enough for their knockout ambitions.
Although badly hit by injuries, the youthful-looking DHL WP have the potential to inflict damage on their more streetwise opponents from Mpumalanga.
Match information:
Suzuki Griquas vs Toyota Cheetahs
Date: Friday, 30 August
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Time: 15h00
Referee: AJ Jacobs
TV: SS Rugby
Vodacom Bulls vs Fidelity ADT Lions
Date: Friday, 30 August
Venue: Midstream College, Centurion
Time: 17h15
Referee: Morne Ferreira
TV: SS Rugby
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV vs NovaVit Griffons
Date: Saturday, 31 August
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Time: 13h00
Referee: Paul Mente
TV: SS Rugby
DHL Western Province vs Airlink Pumas
Date: Sunday, 1 September
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
Time: 15h00
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
TV: SS Rugby
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