Currie Cup Rd 6

Previews:  From Planet Rugby
Griquas v Blue Bulls
GWK Park, Kimberley
Pote Human's men are on a high after impressing in their recent wins over the Golden Lions and Sharks in successive matches. This after their campaign got off to a dismal start with them losing their opening four fixtures.
That seems a distant memory for the home side's fans, who will genuinely feel that they can get add the Blue Bulls' scalp to their collection.
The hosts will rely heavily on their full-back Willie le Roux whose ability to turn defensive situations into attacking ones makes him one of the tournament's best players.
Le Roux will have extra motivation to do well in this match as he was yellow carded in the previous encounter between these sides which the Bulls won 35-20 in Pretoria earlier this year.
The visitors are in unfamiliar territory as the team propping up the table and their supporters expect them to get back to their winning ways after recent losses to the Lions and Western Province.
Coach Pine Pienaar must be feeling the heat and will be determined to turn things around.
The performance of the Bulls forwards could be the catalyst for them to return to victory trail. So much of their game-plan relies on their pack dominating their opposition and that is where they came short in their most recent defeats.
Prediction:The hosts will be brimming with confidence and don't be surprised if they claim their third win on the trot. Griquas to win by four points!
The teams:
Griquas: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Jean Stemmet, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Wesley Wilkins (c), 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Rynhardt Landman, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Matt Dobson, 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Ivann Espag, 18 Frikkie Spies, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Richard Lawson.
Blue Bulls: 15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Ulrich Beyers, 12 Francois Venter, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Louis Fouchè, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Dewald Potgieter (c), 7 CJ Stander, 6 Warwick Tecklenburg, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Dawie Steyn.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Cornell Hess, 19 Jean Cook, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Lionel Cronjè, 22 Jan Serfontein.
Kick-off:15:00 (14:00 BST, 13:00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper

Pete says never discount Bulls even though all their 1st teamers are playing for Boks.
Griquas have done well in last 2 weeks beating Sharks at home and Lions away. Bulls on the other hand have lost their last 2. Lions at home and slaughtered by Western Province away.
I expect Bulls to get back on winning track by 10.

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Free State Cheetahs v Golden Lions
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
After putting the Blue Bulls to the sword the Golden Lions will be determined to put in a repeat performance against the Cheetahs, who lost narrowly at home to Western Province last week.
But the defending champions' coach Johan Ackermann has warned his troops to forget about their win over the Bulls and focus on this weekend's match.
"The players know what happened on Saturday is gone and over," he said.
"The Cheetahs are a side we've got a lot of respect for - they are a well balanced side with a lot of good players."
The Lions have struggled against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in recent seasons. They have lost their last seven Currie Cup matches matches at the Free State Stadium with their last win being a 31-20 triumph way back in 2005.
The Cheetahs welcomed back Springbok flank Heinrich Brussouw against WP last week and his ball-winning ability is something which his side will rely heavily on.
Brussouw's dominance at the breakdowns combined with dangerous backs like captain and outside centre Robert Ebersohn, scrum-half Sarel Pretorius and young speedster Raymond Rhule make the home side a dangerous unit, especially when they get their counter-attacking game going.
Prediction:Both sides enjoy playing expansively so don't be surprised if this is another high-scoring game. The Cheetahs are always up to challenge when at home though and should just sneak in. Cheetahs by three points.
The teams:
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn (c), 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Tewis de Bruyn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Hendro Scholtz, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Marcell van der Merwe, 2 Hercu Liebenberg, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Elandre Huggett, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Sias Ebersohn, 21 Philip Snyman, 22 Rayno Benjamin.
Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Willie Britz, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco Van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (c).
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Butch James, 22 Jaco Taute.
Kick-off:17:05 (16:05 BST, 15:05 GMT)
Referee: Sindile Mayende

Petes pick
Another toughie.
Lions were playing really good rugby until three weeks ago when they lost to Griquas at home and Sharks away. Last week they beat Bulls away from home which was good for morale.
Lions for me based on last weeks performance.
cheetahs always find a way to just lose a game. They play good expansive rugby but sometimes their forwards lack resolve.
Lions by 5

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Sharks v Western Province
Kings Park Stadium, Bloemfontein
Although this is a top-of-the-table clash Sharks coach John Plumtree knows that a defeat could see his team dropping out of the play-off places.
"There's really not much in this competition," Plumtree admitted.
"Everyone has lost two or three games and it's been difficult to predict results.
"The Lions lost to us, but then went and beat the Bulls, but the Bulls beat us. There's not much between all the teams really.
"There are three teams on top and so it's still anyone's game. You don't know who is going to make the play-offs, so it's almost like Super Rugby, which makes it interesting."
Plumtree believes Allister Coetzee's charges have become a better team since they last played them.
"I think they have progressed a lot since that first round, everyone has gone better since then but it's still tricky to pick the winners and the losers in this competition," he said.
"Province have their strengths, they have a big driving line-out and base much of their play around the drive. We probably base a lot of our play around our phase play."
After their recent resurgence WP will fancy their chances of taking the points in this clash.
Discarded Springbok utility back Gio Aplon is the experienced head in a young back-line which includes up-and-coming prospects like lively scrum-half Nic Groom and exciting centres Marcel Brache and JP du Plessis.
The men from the Cape did well to claim a 29-22 win, against the odds, in Bloemfontein last week. That away win was a boost for WP's youngsters who will now tackle their assignment in Durban with less trepidation.
Prediction: Western Province have been the form team in the tournament of late and although they are away from home, will fancy their chances of causing an upset against the Sharks. The hosts, however, seldom put in poor performances in successive weeks. It will be close but Sharks to win by two points!
The teams:
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Riaan Viljoen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (c), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandre Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Julian Redelinghuys, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Brynard Stander, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 S'bura Sithole.
Western Province: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Marcel Brache, 11 Damian de Allende, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Jebb Sinclair, 7 Tyrone Holmes, 6 Deon Fourie (c), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Don Armand, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Steven Kitshoff, 17 Tom Botha, 18 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19 Helmut Lehmann, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Joe Pietersen.
Kick-off:19:10 (18:10 BST, 17:10 GMT)

Petes Pick
A toughie but I'll agree with this writer.
Sharks by 2. For those of you who play Superbru this means WP can win by 3 and one still collects 1/2 a point for coming within 3 pts.

 The second half of the Currie Cup season gets underway with very little separating the six teams - just seven points between first and last.

The top-of-the table Western Province travel to Durban to face the third-placed Sharks, with only points difference separating them.

The Lions, second on the standings, but also on 15 points like WP and the Sharks, travel to Bloemfontein where they face the fourth-placed Free State Cheetahs - the latter just four points off the pace.

The other match will see the fifth-placed Griquas (10 points) host the bottom-placed Blue Bulls (eight points) in Kimberley.

Yes, it is that close at the halfway stage - literally all to play for.

Blue Bulls flyhalf Louis Fouché tops the points scoring after, with 74 points made up of seven conversions, 19 penalties and a drop goal. Behind Fouché in second place is WP flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis on 59, with Sharks centre Meyer Bosman on 56.

Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane and Cheetahs wing Raymond Rhule continue to lead the try-scoring stakes with four touchdowns apiece, with Blue Bulls loose forward CJ Stander, Griquas wing Rocco Jansen and Free State Cheetahs scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius on three each.

Jan de Koning looks at all the Round Six action!

Saturday, September 15

Griquas v Blue Bulls
(GWK Park, Kimberley - 15.00; 13.00 GMT)

The first match of the weekend is the basement battle in which hosts Griquas will look to build on their back-to-back wins over the Lions and Sharks.

Bulls coach Pine Pienaar admitted he has been working harder on the mental aspects of his team's game than their physical attributes.

"When you go to Kimberley, all you hear the whole week is how tough it will be and how hard the surface is," Pienaar told this website.

"I can promise you, the pitch we train on, our B-Filed, is just as hard. If you keep telling yourself it is tough there [in Kimberley] and suddenly you start doubting what you must do."

He felt that enough teams have gone to Kimberley in the past and done well there.

"Yes, Griquas do have an outstanding team this year and they are coming off two great victories [over the Lions away and Sharks at home] - the growth they have shown from our first-round win over them till now is enormous.

"They have a great group of players - Marnus Schoeman is outstanding on the ground and their backs are ken to run the ball.

"However, we have to be prepared to scrap it out there - if you keep telling yourself it is going to be tough, you may just end up believing that."

Griquas coach Pote Human was not shy with the plaudits for the opposition either, as both outfits attempted to claim the underdog tag.

He felt that the Bulls' position on the standings does not reflect their true capabilities.

Coming off those back-to-back wins will give Griquas plenty of self-belief, but Human felt there is still plenty of work to do.

"This week the Bulls arrive [in Kimberley] and as everybody know, there is nothing more dangerous than a wounded Bull," he said of the bottom-placed team from Pretoria, adding: We know they will throw everything at us."

Despite Pienaar's best attempt to downplay the 'home-field factor', Human felt playing in Kimberley is an advantage.

Human spoke of the need for his team to improve their discipline.

"We still conceded too many penalties at the breakdown," he said, adding: "That is one aspect we have worked on this week.

"Our kicking game is improving, but we know against the Bulls you need a good kicking game. They are great exponents of that [kicking game], so we will have to be up for that ... both in terms of how we execute [the kicks] and receive [their kicks]."

Results this year:

For Griquas:
Griquas 22-15 Sharks
Golden Lions 32-42 Griquas
Griquas 16-29 Free State Cheetahs
Griquas 20-25 Western Province
Blue Bulls 35-20 Griquas

For the Blue Bulls:
Blue Bulls 23-32 Golden Lions
Western Province 42-6 Blue Bulls
Blue Bulls 42-31 Sharks
Free State Cheetahs 32-18 Blue Bulls
Blue Bulls 35-20 Griquas

Prediction: There is no doubting the home ground factor, but the Blue Bulls are overdue a good performance. Griquas are on a high, but they could be vulnerable against a structured team that remain disciplined on defence. The Bulls have the tools and may well sneak a win - but by less than 10 points.

Teams:

Griquas: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Jean Stemmet, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Wesley Wilkins (captain), 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Rynhardt Landman, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Matt Dobson, 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Ivann Espag, 18 Frikkie Spies, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Richard Lawson.

Blue Bulls: 15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Ulrich Beyers, 12 Francois Venter, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Louis Fouché, 9 Rudi Paige, 8 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 7 CJ Stander, 6 Warwick Tecklenburg, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Dawie Steyn.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Cornell Hess, 19 Jean Cook, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Lionel Cronjé, 22 Jan Serfontein.

Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistants: Lesego Legoete, Francois de Bruin
TMO: JC Fortuin

Free State Cheetahs v Golden Lions
(Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - 17.05; 15.05 GMT)

It has a hint of desperation to it, but the decision to name scrumhalf Tewis de Bruyn at flyhalf suggests that Coach Naka Drotské's love-hate relationship with Sias Ebersohn is at the heart of the team's inconsistency.

The Cheetahs will look to bounce back from their 22-29 home defeat to WP last week when they welcome the very dangerous Lions in what could be the weekend's most entertaining affair - a high-scoring match in which defence may not always be at a premium.

Since the injury of Johan Goosen in the Super Rugby season the Cheetahs' attack has spluttered along, only occasionally reaching its true potential.

De Bruyn has been charged with the task of getting the Cheetahs the momentum that will not only get them back on the winning track, but also help them regain that effective ball-in-hand game that made them such a joy to watch.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann, who this week spoke of the need for his team to improve their discipline and defence, said his side will continue with their all-out attacking game.

"They [the Cheetahs] play some great rugby," he said of his team's trip to Bloemfontein, adding that they remain a force on attack.

"Over many years they have proven just how dangerous they are and can beat any team.

"We are expecting an enormous onslaught from them - it should be an exciting game."

The fact that both teams play great ball-in-hand rugby, probably the two most exciting teams in the competition, means this could be a real thrill-a-minute affair.

Ackermann said the Lions will not revert to a defence-orientated or conservative game.

"We will stay with what we do best, but there is no doubt that defence will be vital on Saturday as we are playing against a team that enjoys an expansive game.

"However, it is important that we don't stray away from our game - if we look after the ball we'll be able to put them under pressure.

"From a neutral's point of view this could be one of the best games of the season."

Ackermann admitted that his team had worked hard on their discipline, as there were still a few unnecessary penalties in last week's win over the Bulls.

"We are far form perfect and there is plenty to work on," the coach told this website, adding: "We need to put teams under more pressure.

"While our defence was better last week, there is still room for improvement in terms of our one-on-one tackling."

Results this year:

For the Free State Cheetahs:
Free State Cheetahs 22-29 Western Province
Sharks 34-32 Free State Cheetahs
Griquas 16-29 Free State Cheetahs
Free State Cheetahs 32-18 Blue Bulls
Golden Lions 43-20 Free State Cheetahs

For the Golden Lions:
Blue Bulls 23-32 Golden Lions
Golden Lions 32-42 Griquas
Golden Lions 26-23 Western Province
Sharks 30-14 Golden Lions
Golden Lions 43-20 Free State Cheetahs

Prediction: Expect plenty of attacking flair, especially from the Lions, with a bit more structure from the Cheetahs, Tewis de Bruyn is a talented player, but he is there to add some structure to a team struggling for continuity. The Lions will have their work cut out, but they could sneak a vital away win - by five points or less.

Teams:

Free Sate Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn (Captain, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Tewis du Bruyn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Hendro Scholtz, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen (Vice Captain), 4 Francois Uys, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Hercu Liebenberg, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Elandré Huggett, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Sias Ebersohn, 21 Phillip Snyman, 22 Rayno Benjamin.

Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Willie Britz, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco Van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (captain).
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Butch James, 22 Jaco Taute.

Referee: Sindile Mayende
Assistants: Quinton Immelman, Stefan Breytenbach
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee

Sharks v Western Province
(Kings Park, Durban - 19.10; 17.10 GMT)

It may be a cliche, but this is indeed crunch time. It may not be 'Dunkirk' just yet, but with the abbreviated competition now into the season half of the season any defeat from here on will have dire consequences for the losers.

Province, like the Sharks and Lions, have 15 log points, but are at the top of the standings as a result of their superior points differential.

The Sharks have beaten their Cape rivals in their last two meetings - the Super Rugby semifinal in July and their first-round Currie Cup match at Newlands.

However, Sharks coach John Plumtree refused to read anything into those wins - mainly because both teams have undergone drastic personnel changes since the Super Rugby season.

"I also think they have progressed a lot since the [Currie Cup] first round," Plumtree said.

"Everyone has got better since then but it's still tricky to pick the winners and the losers in this competition.

"Province have their strengths and so do we. It will be a tough contest.

"When we beat them in Cape Town, it wasn't expected, but this group has played some good passages of rugby at times, and the fact that it is a home game means we don't want to give it up.

"It's a massive game for us.

"We've seen sides move up and down the log regularly in this campaign, short as it is, and there are only five pool games left, so every game now is a massive one for us.

"There is huge determination from us to get a positive result on the weekend."

Province coach Allister Coetzee played down his team's position on the standings, tagging the Sharks as favourites, despite their impressive form - which include victories over the Cheetahs and Bulls in the last three weeks.

"This is a good Sharks side - even without their many Springboks," Coetzee said.

"Their pack then [when WP lost to them in the first round] was probably weaker than the one now - they've got [Anton] Bresler back and [Keegan] Daniel too.

Really, they're a quality outfit across the board," the coach added.

He felt home ground advantage could come into the equation.

"It's an away game, which is another challenge for us.

"Every game is important and tough, but we want to start the second half of season better and we want to continue improving our game," added the WP boss.

Results this year:

For the Sharks:
Griquas 22-15 Sharks
Sharks 34-32 Free State Cheetahs
Blue Bulls 42-31 Sharks
Sharks 30-14 Golden Lions
Western Province 23-25 Sharks

For Western Province:
Free State Cheetahs 22-29 Western Province
Western Province 42-6 Blue Bulls
Golden Lions 26-23 Western Province
Griquas 20-25 Western Province
Western Province 23-25 Sharks

Prediction: Injuries continue to play havoc with WP and the main spin-off from that is a lack of consistency. However, the men from the Cape have overcome that with youthful exuberance in the last few weeks. The only problem is that the Sharks have gained so key players, particularly Keegan Daniel. His captaincy and skill, especially at Currie Cup level, will be critical. The Sharks to gain a valuable win - by about 10 points, to rob Western Province of a crucial away bonus point.

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Riaan Viljoen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandré Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Julian Redelinghuys, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Brynard Stander, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 S'bura Sithole.

Western Province: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Marcel Brache, 11 Damian de Allende, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Jebb Sinclair, 7 Tyrone Holmes, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Don Armand, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Steven Kitshoff, 17 Tom Botha, 18 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19 Helmut Lehmann, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Joe Pietersen.

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
Assistants: Jaco van Heerden, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Shaun Veldsman