http://www.supersport.com/rugby/currie-cup/news/120916/Numbers_advantage_helped_Sharks
yes, not too sure about that yellow.
yes, not too sure about that yellow.
2012 Currie Cup 1st Division
- Thread starter PaarlBok
- Start date
- Status
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
The Sinclair short right on Deksel.
http://www.bcrugbynews.com/show_news.cfm?ID=875
http://www.bcrugbynews.com/show_news.cfm?ID=875
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
Currie Cup get all exciting this weekend. Not much between the teams and its do or die situation. Brutes and WeePee glad to have some Springbok meat back for the last round.
Log:
TEAM P W PTS
Sharks 9 6 30
Lions 9 6 28
Western Province 9 4 20
Griquas 9 4 20
FS Cheetahs 9 3 18
Blue Bulls 9 4 18
Bottom team will play home and away promotion / relegation vs the Kings. 1 play 4 & 2 play 3 in the semis. Top two is a certaincy, thats about that.
Lions vs Brutes:
Teams:
Lions:
15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Deon Van Rensburg, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Butch James (captain), 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 CJ van der Linde
Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Warren Whiteley, 20 Whestley Moolman, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Lionel Mapoe
Blue Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Juandre Kruger, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morne Mellett
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Dean Greyling
WP vs Cheetahs:
Teams:
Western Province:
15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Don Armand, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Brok Harris, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Jebb Sinclair, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Marcel Brache, 22 Gio Aplon
Free State Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Francois Uys, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Marcel van der Merwe
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Philip Snyman, 22 Rayno Benjamin
Sharks vs Kwaste:
Teams:
Sharks:
15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandre Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Substitutes: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.
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 Justin Downey, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5Martin Muller, 4 Ligtoring Landman, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes (captain), 1 Steph Roberts.
Substitutes: 16 Matt Dobson, 17 Ivann Espag, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Wesley Wilkins, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Richard Lawson.
Log:
TEAM P W PTS
Sharks 9 6 30
Lions 9 6 28
Western Province 9 4 20
Griquas 9 4 20
FS Cheetahs 9 3 18
Blue Bulls 9 4 18
Bottom team will play home and away promotion / relegation vs the Kings. 1 play 4 & 2 play 3 in the semis. Top two is a certaincy, thats about that.
Lions vs Brutes:
Teams:
Lions:
15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Deon Van Rensburg, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Butch James (captain), 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 CJ van der Linde
Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Warren Whiteley, 20 Whestley Moolman, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Lionel Mapoe
Blue Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Juandre Kruger, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morne Mellett
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Dean Greyling
WP vs Cheetahs:
Teams:
Western Province:
15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Don Armand, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Brok Harris, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Jebb Sinclair, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Marcel Brache, 22 Gio Aplon
Free State Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Francois Uys, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Marcel van der Merwe
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Philip Snyman, 22 Rayno Benjamin
Sharks vs Kwaste:
Teams:
Sharks:
15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandre Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Substitutes: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.
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 Justin Downey, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5Martin Muller, 4 Ligtoring Landman, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes (captain), 1 Steph Roberts.
Substitutes: 16 Matt Dobson, 17 Ivann Espag, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Wesley Wilkins, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Richard Lawson.
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
Saturday, October 13 2012
Lions 29 - 50 Blue Bulls
Western Province 36 - 15 FS Cheetahs
Friday, October 12 2012
Sharks 42 - 3 Griquas
CC Semi Finals:
SEMIFINAL FIXTURES - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20:
Provincial Under-19 competition:
(Venues and kick-off times TBC - home teams first)
DHL Western Province U19 vs MTN Golden Lions U19
Vodacom Blue Bulls U19 vs Sharks U19
Provincial Under-21 competition:
(Venues and kick-off times TBC - home teams first)
Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs U21
Sharks U21 vs DHL Western Province U21
Absa Currie Cup:
Sharks vs Vodacom Blue Bulls, Mr Price Kings Park (Durban) - 16h30
MTN Golden Lions vs DHL Western Province, Coca-Cola Park (Johannesburg) - 19h00
Lions 29 - 50 Blue Bulls
Western Province 36 - 15 FS Cheetahs
Friday, October 12 2012
Sharks 42 - 3 Griquas
CC Semi Finals:
SEMIFINAL FIXTURES - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20:
Provincial Under-19 competition:
(Venues and kick-off times TBC - home teams first)
DHL Western Province U19 vs MTN Golden Lions U19
Vodacom Blue Bulls U19 vs Sharks U19
Provincial Under-21 competition:
(Venues and kick-off times TBC - home teams first)
Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs U21
Sharks U21 vs DHL Western Province U21
Absa Currie Cup:
Sharks vs Vodacom Blue Bulls, Mr Price Kings Park (Durban) - 16h30
MTN Golden Lions vs DHL Western Province, Coca-Cola Park (Johannesburg) - 19h00
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
History of CC semis down the years
Rugby365
Rugby365
Currie Cup semis in history
Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:13
The first Currie Cup Final was in 1939, the first semifinal in 1969 and what a dramatic match it was!
Tension does not abate this weekend as an exciting Currie Cup season goes into the semifinals and the unpredictable. We look at semifinals down the years, not that they have all that long a history.
The first Currie Cup tournament was in 1892, the first Final in 1939 and the first semifinal in 1969. The Currie Cup was not in competition every year till 1969. It has been in competition 73 times and there have been semifinals 43 times - well over half the number of times the Currie Cup has been played. One of them had the strangest occurrence of them all, a rugby intervention of the rarest kind.
Not that there is a lot of forecasting confidence in history in the case of semifinals. The Blue Bulls have the best record of winning semifinals though they just scraped in this year. Western Province have the second best record in semifinals but they are away again this year. The Golden Lions do not have as a good a record as Western Province but they did the job on them last year. The Sharks do not have as good a record as the Blue Bulls.
Western Province have played the Golden Lions once before in a semifinal. That was last year when the Golden Lions won. The Sharks have played the Blue Bulls three times in semifinals in Durban, winning one and losing the other two.
Here are the appearances of the four teams (plus the Free State Cheetahs) in the 2011 semifinals:
Blue Bulls (a.k.a. Northern Transvaal): 16 semifinals, won 13
Western Province 18 semifinals - won 13
Golden Lions (a.k.a. Transvaal and Gauteng Lions): 15 semifinals - won 8
Sharks (a.k.a. Natal): 17 semifinals - won 8
Free State Cheetahs (a.k.a. Orange Free State): 15 semifinals - won 6
The Currie Cup system was frequently the plaything of administrators and changed from year to year, as it keeps on doing.
The first Currie Cup Final was in 1939, the first semifinal in 1969 and what a dramatic match it was!
In the list of semifinals below, you will find years when there was just one semifinal. In those years the Currie Cup teams were divided into three sections which meant that two of the section winners had to play off for a place in the Final.
In 1973 there were four sections and so two semifinals.
In 1979 the 12 Currie Cup teams were divided into two sections. Section A was made up of strong teams, Section B of weaker teams but the best of the weaker teams played semifinals at home against the best of the Section A teams, with a remarkable result in 1984.
In 1986 there were two sections, A and B, but only a single semifinal - between the second-placed side in the A section and the top of the B Section.
Then the semis were scrapped and 1 played 2 in the Final.
In 1996 the number of provinces was reduced to 14 and they all competed in two sections. This led to quarterfinals and then semifinals.
In 1998 there was a league system in which the top four teams qualified for the semifinals in which 1 played 4 and 2 played 3.
In 2003, the Rugby World Cup year, there were no semifinals.
In 2005 there were two sections and two semifinals. The top two teams in each section played each other in the semifinals.
In 2006, as now, the teams were divided in two sections but First Division, called the Currie Cup, had no chance at all of competing for the Currie Cup which suggests some kind of misnomer but instead the semifinals came from the Premier Division - 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3.
There was a change in determining home venues. It used to go by age or previous matches. It changed so that position on the log determined home venues as it would for the Final as well. That system continues in 2012.
That means this year that there are three possible venues for the Final:
If the Sharks win, the Final will be in Durban.
If the Golden Lions win and the Sharks lose, the Final will be in Johannesburg.
If the Sharks and the Golden Lions lose, the Final will be at Newlands.
Only Pretoria is sure of not having a Currie Cup Final in 2012 - apart from Kimberley and Bloemfontein, that is. It could mean that if the Golden Lions will, the Currie Cup Champions will not play Super Rugby next year - and if the Free State Cheetahs get relegated they will play Super Rugby next year, but not Currie Cup rugby.
The semifinals are often forgotten affairs but the first one was one of the most memorable matches at Newlands since World War II.
That day Boland, captained by Dawie de Villiers were leading 11-3, after climbing into Western Province in the loose. Pietman Basson, Corné Krige's father-in-law, and Pierre Ackerman had scored tries, Ackerman's off an intercept followed by a thrilling 70-metre run.
The man who made the difference was the great, unique HO de Villiers, fullback for Western Province. He started running and it changed the game. He converted a try by Preston Robertson and then came into the line on the left of a scrum just inside Boland's half. He made an overlap for speedster Andy van der Watt who scored in the left corner. From touch, HO converted and the final whistle went. People charged onto the ground, as they were allowed to do in those friendly days, and swamped HO the Hero.
The biggest upset was in 1984 when Natal of the B Section beat the Free State of the A Section to make the Final at Newlands. Free State were all set for the Final. They dished out tickets - and then lost in Durban. There was a scramble for them to get the tickets together and off to Durban for Natal to use in a Final in which they gave a good account of themselves.
The strangest occurrence was the one in 2010 when the Blue Bulls played the Sharks. Not only did the Blue Bulls invade but so did a swarm of bees. The bees descended onto the field before the players did and the kick-off had to be delayed for 40 minutes while they were, smokily, encouraged to swarm off.
Semifinal matches and results
1969
Western Province vs Boland 13-11 at Newlands
1970
Northern Transvaal vs Natal, 24-8 in Durban
1971
Transvaal vs Natal, 16-9 in Johannesburg
1973
Northern Transvaal vs Rhodesia, 20-7 in Pretoria
Orange Free State vs Western Province, 19-15 at Newlands
1974
Transvaal vs Eastern Province, 30-6 in Johannesburg
1979
Northern Transvaal vs Eastern Province, 16-6 in Port Elizabeth
Western Province vs Griqualand West, 20-15 in Kimberley
1980
Northern Transvaal vs South Eastern Transvaal, 49-6 in Pretoria
Western Province vs Eastern Province, 21-13 in Port Elizabeth
1981
Northern Transvaal vs Northern Free State, 36-12 in Pretoria
Orange Free State vs Eastern Transvaal, 28-15 in Springs
1982
Western Province vs Natal, 47-18 at Newlands
Northern Transvaal vs Northern Free State, 24-21 in Welkom
1983
Northern Transvaal vs Northern Free State, 32-15 in Pretoria
Western Province vs Natal, 7-3 in Durban
1984
Natal vs Orange Free State, 26-15 in Durban
Western Province vs Eastern Transvaal, 53-0 at Newlands
1987
Transvaal vs South West Africa, 12-9 in Windhoek
1988
Western Province vs Northern Free State, 26-9 in Welkom
1989
Western Province vs Western Transvaal, 71-9 in Potchefstroom
1996
Natal vs Orange Free State, 35-20 in Durban
Transvaal vs Northern Transvaal, 31-21 in Pretoria
1997
Western Province vs Gauteng Lions, 38-18 at Newlands
Free State Cheetahs vs Natal, 40-22 in Durban
1998
Western Province vs Griqualand West, 24-11 in Kimberley
Blue Bulls vs Natal, 31-17 in Pretoria
1999
Natal vs Free State, 45-17 in Durban
Golden Lions vs South Western Districts Eagles, 81-21 in George
2000
Natal vs Free State Cheetahs, 29-15 in Durban
Western Province vs Golden Lions, 43-22 at Newlands
2001
Natal vs Golden Lions, 16-9 in Durban
Western Province vs Free State Cheetahs, 40-18 at Newlands
2002
Blue Bulls vs Natal, 22-19 in Durban
Golden Lions vs State Cheetahs, 43-29 in Bloemfontein
2004
Blue Bulls vs Golden Lions, 40-33 in Pretoria
Free State Cheetahs vs Western Province 17-11 at Newlands
2005
Blue Bulls vs Golden Lions, 31-23 in Pretoria
Free State Cheetahs vs Western Province, 16-11 at Newlands
2006
Free State Cheetahs vs Sharks, 30-14 in Bloemfontein
Blue Bulls vs Western Province, 45-30 in Pretoria
2007
Free State Cheetahs vs Blue Bulls, 11-6 in Bloemfontein
Golden Lions vs Sharks, 19-12 in Durban
2008
Blue Bulls vs Free State Cheetahs, 31-19 in Pretoria
Sharks vs Golden Lions, 29-14 in Durban
2009
Free State vs Sharks vs Cheetahs, 23-21 in Durban
Blue Bulls vs Western Province, 21-19 at Newlands
2010
Sharks vs Blue Bulls, 16-12 in Durban
Western Province vs Free State Cheetahs, 31-7 at Newlands
2011
Sharks vs Free State Cheetahs 20-13 in Durban
Golden Lions vs Western Province 29-20 in Johannesburg
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
DEFENDING champions the MTN Golden Lions will be looking to record a hat-trick of Absa Currie Cup Premier Division victories over DHL Western Province this season when the two sides meet in one of the competition's semi-finals in Johannesburg on Saturday (kick-off 19h00).
In the first semi-final, the Sharks will be hoping for a repeat of their 13-12 win over the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Durban three weeks ago when the two sides clash at Mr Price Kings Park (kick-off 16h30).
Sharks coach John Plumtree has elected to bench several returning frontline Springboks including Beast Mtawarira and Willem Alberts, while Pat Lambie enjoys a second consecutive match at flyhalf and flanker Jean Deysel wins his 50th cap starting in the number-seven jersey.
Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar has retained the same match 22 that beat the Lions last weekend, which means that Bok utility back Francois Hougaard will once again play off the bench while his half-back partner in the green and gold and last week's man of the match, Morné Steyn, will run out in the number-ten jersey.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann has rung the changes, the most significant being the return of flyhalf Elton Jantjies in place of the benched Butch James, and five changes to the forward pack including the displacement of Boks CJ van der Linde and Pat Cilliers by JC Janse van Rensburg and Jacobie Adriaanse.
WP coach Allister Coetzee must do without the services of a trio of injured Springboks in Jean de Villiers, Andries Bekker and Tiaan Liebenberg – with the latter two ruled out for the rest of the season – but can nevertheless call upon Bok flyer Gio Aplon, who takes over from Joe Pietersen, and the promising Marcel Brache in the number 12 jersey.
Vodacom Blue Bulls flyhalf Louis Fouché tops the Premier Division point-scoring log going into the semi-finals, with 137 points made up of 13 conversions, 35 penalties and 2 drop goals. Behind Fouché in tied second place on 113 is GWK Griquas flyhalf Francois Brummer and DHL WP pivot Demetri Catrakilis.
Cheetahs wing Raymond Rhule tops the try-scoring table ahead of the play-offs with eight touchdowns, with Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane and Griquas wing Rocco Jansen tied for second place, with seven tries apiece.
This weekend's fixtures – Semi-finals:
Sharks vs Vodacom Blue Bulls
Date: Saturday, 20 October
Kickoff: 16h30
Venue: Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistants: Jason Jaftha, Christie du Preez
Television Match Official: Shaun Veldsman
Teams:
Sharks – 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (capt), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandrè Marais, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick. Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Steven Sykes/Peet Marais, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Meyer Bosman.
Blue Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (capt), 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Mornè Mellett. Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouchè, 22 Dean Greyling.
MTN Golden Lions vs DHL Western Province
Date: Saturday, 20 October
Kickoff: 19h00
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistants: Sindile Mayende, Stefan Breytenbach
Television Match Official: Johann Meuwesen
Teams:
Golden Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach/Dylan des Fountain, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (capt). Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 CJ van der Linde/Pat Cilliers, 18 Hendrik Roodt, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Butch James, 22 Deon Helberg.
WP – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Marcel Brache, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Don Armand, 6 Deon Fourie (capt), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16 Deon Carstens, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19 Jebb Sinclair, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Damian de Allende, 22 Joe Pietersen.
Complete Round-Robin results:
Round 10 results:
Sharks 42-3 GWK Griquas
DHL Western Province 36-15 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
MTN Golden Lions 29-50 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Round 9 results:
Vodacom Blue Bulls 26-13 DHL Western Province
GWK Griquas 37-21 MTN Golden Lions
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 30-37 Sharks
Round 8 results:
Sharks 13-12 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 35-20 GWK Griquas
DHL Western Province 9-22 MTN Golden Lions
Round 7 results:
DHL Western Province 45-21 GWK Griquas
Vodacom Blue Bulls 34-30 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
MTN Golden Lions 28-22 Sharks
Round 6 results:
Sharks 43-27 DHL Western Province
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 23-38 MTN Golden Lions
GWK Griquas 49-34 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Round 5 results:
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 22-29 DHL Western Province
Vodacom Blue Bulls 23-32 MTN Golden Lions
GWK Griquas 22-15 Sharks
Round 4 results:
MTN Golden Lions 32-42 GWK Griquas
Sharks 34-32 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
DHL Western Province 42-6 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Round 3 results:
Vodacom Blue Bulls 42-31 Sharks
MTN Golden Lions 26-23 DHL Western Province
GWK Griquas 16-29 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
Round 2 results:
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 32-18 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Sharks 30-14 MTN Golden Lions
GWK Griquas 20-25 DHL Western Province
Round 1 results:
Vodacom Blue Bulls 35-20 GWK Griquas
MTN Golden Lions 43-20 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
DHL Western Province 23-25 Sharks
In the first semi-final, the Sharks will be hoping for a repeat of their 13-12 win over the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Durban three weeks ago when the two sides clash at Mr Price Kings Park (kick-off 16h30).
Sharks coach John Plumtree has elected to bench several returning frontline Springboks including Beast Mtawarira and Willem Alberts, while Pat Lambie enjoys a second consecutive match at flyhalf and flanker Jean Deysel wins his 50th cap starting in the number-seven jersey.
Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar has retained the same match 22 that beat the Lions last weekend, which means that Bok utility back Francois Hougaard will once again play off the bench while his half-back partner in the green and gold and last week's man of the match, Morné Steyn, will run out in the number-ten jersey.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann has rung the changes, the most significant being the return of flyhalf Elton Jantjies in place of the benched Butch James, and five changes to the forward pack including the displacement of Boks CJ van der Linde and Pat Cilliers by JC Janse van Rensburg and Jacobie Adriaanse.
WP coach Allister Coetzee must do without the services of a trio of injured Springboks in Jean de Villiers, Andries Bekker and Tiaan Liebenberg – with the latter two ruled out for the rest of the season – but can nevertheless call upon Bok flyer Gio Aplon, who takes over from Joe Pietersen, and the promising Marcel Brache in the number 12 jersey.
Vodacom Blue Bulls flyhalf Louis Fouché tops the Premier Division point-scoring log going into the semi-finals, with 137 points made up of 13 conversions, 35 penalties and 2 drop goals. Behind Fouché in tied second place on 113 is GWK Griquas flyhalf Francois Brummer and DHL WP pivot Demetri Catrakilis.
Cheetahs wing Raymond Rhule tops the try-scoring table ahead of the play-offs with eight touchdowns, with Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane and Griquas wing Rocco Jansen tied for second place, with seven tries apiece.
This weekend's fixtures – Semi-finals:
Sharks vs Vodacom Blue Bulls
Date: Saturday, 20 October
Kickoff: 16h30
Venue: Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistants: Jason Jaftha, Christie du Preez
Television Match Official: Shaun Veldsman
Teams:
Sharks – 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (capt), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandrè Marais, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick. Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Steven Sykes/Peet Marais, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Meyer Bosman.
Blue Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (capt), 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Mornè Mellett. Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouchè, 22 Dean Greyling.
MTN Golden Lions vs DHL Western Province
Date: Saturday, 20 October
Kickoff: 19h00
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistants: Sindile Mayende, Stefan Breytenbach
Television Match Official: Johann Meuwesen
Teams:
Golden Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach/Dylan des Fountain, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (capt). Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 CJ van der Linde/Pat Cilliers, 18 Hendrik Roodt, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Butch James, 22 Deon Helberg.
WP – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Marcel Brache, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Don Armand, 6 Deon Fourie (capt), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16 Deon Carstens, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19 Jebb Sinclair, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Damian de Allende, 22 Joe Pietersen.
Complete Round-Robin results:
Round 10 results:
Sharks 42-3 GWK Griquas
DHL Western Province 36-15 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
MTN Golden Lions 29-50 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Round 9 results:
Vodacom Blue Bulls 26-13 DHL Western Province
GWK Griquas 37-21 MTN Golden Lions
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 30-37 Sharks
Round 8 results:
Sharks 13-12 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 35-20 GWK Griquas
DHL Western Province 9-22 MTN Golden Lions
Round 7 results:
DHL Western Province 45-21 GWK Griquas
Vodacom Blue Bulls 34-30 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
MTN Golden Lions 28-22 Sharks
Round 6 results:
Sharks 43-27 DHL Western Province
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 23-38 MTN Golden Lions
GWK Griquas 49-34 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Round 5 results:
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 22-29 DHL Western Province
Vodacom Blue Bulls 23-32 MTN Golden Lions
GWK Griquas 22-15 Sharks
Round 4 results:
MTN Golden Lions 32-42 GWK Griquas
Sharks 34-32 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
DHL Western Province 42-6 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Round 3 results:
Vodacom Blue Bulls 42-31 Sharks
MTN Golden Lions 26-23 DHL Western Province
GWK Griquas 16-29 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
Round 2 results:
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 32-18 Vodacom Blue Bulls
Sharks 30-14 MTN Golden Lions
GWK Griquas 20-25 DHL Western Province
Round 1 results:
Vodacom Blue Bulls 35-20 GWK Griquas
MTN Golden Lions 43-20 Toyota Free State Cheetahs
DHL Western Province 23-25 Sharks
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
CC semi results:
ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Saturday, October 20 2012
Lions 16 - 21 Western Province
ABSA Under 21 Competition
Blue Bulls 50 - 24 Free State Cheetahs
ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Sharks 20 - 3 Blue Bulls
ABSA Under 19 Competition
Bulls 46 - 35 Sharks
Western Province 24 - 14 Lions
ABSA Under 21 Competition
Sharks 18 - 19 Western Province
CC Finals:
ABSA Currie Cup Promotion/Relegation
Friday, October 26 2012
19:10 - EP Kings vs Cheetahs
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
ABSA Under 19 Competition
Saturday, October 27 2012
00:00 - Western Province vs Bulls
ABSA Under 21 Competition
00:00 - Western Province vs Blue Bulls
ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
17:00 - Sharks vs Western Province
Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
Three WP teams in the final show where the best structures are in SA rugby, followed by the Brutes. 4 of WP tight 5 can play in two finals and 8 of the match 22 still u21. Sharks the favourates for the final by some distance.
ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Saturday, October 20 2012
Lions 16 - 21 Western Province
ABSA Under 21 Competition
Blue Bulls 50 - 24 Free State Cheetahs
ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Sharks 20 - 3 Blue Bulls
ABSA Under 19 Competition
Bulls 46 - 35 Sharks
Western Province 24 - 14 Lions
ABSA Under 21 Competition
Sharks 18 - 19 Western Province
CC Finals:
ABSA Currie Cup Promotion/Relegation
Friday, October 26 2012
19:10 - EP Kings vs Cheetahs
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
ABSA Under 19 Competition
Saturday, October 27 2012
00:00 - Western Province vs Bulls
ABSA Under 21 Competition
00:00 - Western Province vs Blue Bulls
ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
17:00 - Sharks vs Western Province
Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
Three WP teams in the final show where the best structures are in SA rugby, followed by the Brutes. 4 of WP tight 5 can play in two finals and 8 of the match 22 still u21. Sharks the favourates for the final by some distance.
The Red Baron
Chilla Wilson (44)
I see the Kings got pumped by the Cheetahs in the promotion/relegation match the other day too. I wonder how the Kings will fare at home?
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
Bad. Very bad. Glad the Tin Ears pumped them.
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
Currie Cup Finale Teams :
Sharks:
15. Louis Ludik 14. JP Pietersen 13. Paul Jordaan12. Tim Whitehead 11. Lwazi Mvovo 10. Patrick Lambie 9. Cobus Reinach 8. Keegan Daniel (captain) 7. Willem Alberts 6. Marcell Coetzee 5. Anton Bresler 4. Steven Sykes 3. Jannie du Plessis 2. Craig Burden 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper 17. Wiehahn Herbst 18. Jandre Marais 19. Jean Deysel 20. Charl McLeod 21. Meyer Bosman 22. Odwa Ndungane
Western Province:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Don Armand, 6. Deon Fourie (captain), 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Deon Carstens, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19. Jebb Sinclair, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Marcel Brache, 22. Joe Pietersen
WP's 1-4 , 7, 12, 18 & 21 can play in both finals (U21 & Seniors) add injured Kolisi and Carr and you have nearly a pack full of youngsters. Most of them started back last year as Ikeys and winning the Varsity Cup for the first time and look like a very good player cycle. Sharks on paper and form the heavy favourates to win the Kerrie Beker. They only have to pitch up on saturday.
Sharks:
15. Louis Ludik 14. JP Pietersen 13. Paul Jordaan12. Tim Whitehead 11. Lwazi Mvovo 10. Patrick Lambie 9. Cobus Reinach 8. Keegan Daniel (captain) 7. Willem Alberts 6. Marcell Coetzee 5. Anton Bresler 4. Steven Sykes 3. Jannie du Plessis 2. Craig Burden 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper 17. Wiehahn Herbst 18. Jandre Marais 19. Jean Deysel 20. Charl McLeod 21. Meyer Bosman 22. Odwa Ndungane
Western Province:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Don Armand, 6. Deon Fourie (captain), 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Deon Carstens, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19. Jebb Sinclair, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Marcel Brache, 22. Joe Pietersen
WP's 1-4 , 7, 12, 18 & 21 can play in both finals (U21 & Seniors) add injured Kolisi and Carr and you have nearly a pack full of youngsters. Most of them started back last year as Ikeys and winning the Varsity Cup for the first time and look like a very good player cycle. Sharks on paper and form the heavy favourates to win the Kerrie Beker. They only have to pitch up on saturday.
The Red Baron
Chilla Wilson (44)
This should be a cracker of a match. I wonder who you are supporting Paarl? 
T
tubby74
Guest
corker of a final, only one try but plenty of swings and excitememt. great game from fourie, only moved to 6 mid season to cover injuries. but then derek kuun was a 6 used mostly at 2 zt the bulls. i have often thought before luow was recalled that the boks could do worse than strauss at 2 at bismark at 6
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Good game; not a lot of tries but lots of drama with the back and forth scoring. WP fans must be glad to win the CC after missing out for so long.
It was strange to see a lot of empty seats for a CC final though.
I thought the Sharks would win it at home with WP missing a few stars but their defence held up the whole match and they did a good job of slowing down the Sharkies ball at the ruck.
Mind you: their fans back at the Cape must have been worried in the last minute as the final could have gone into overtime.
The set pieces were even in that the Sharks walked all over the WP scrum but couldn't win a lineout, and that probably cost them the game.
The key difference was that brilliancy by JdJ to score the only try of the match; he's got to have the best step since Fred Astaire and was able to take the visitors' one big moment.
MOTM Deon Fourie deserved his gong though Etzebeth had another cracking game - and I liked the flyhalf Catrakilis after he settled down. I've never heard about him before this year - or have forgotten. I think the commentators said that he is playing for the Kings in Super Rugby next year - is that right?
Fourie will be handy for the Boks on the EOYT if he gets picked; being able to play both on the open side and as hooker is uncommon.
I thought Beast was pretty good for the Sharks and didn't deserve to be in a losing team.
.
It was strange to see a lot of empty seats for a CC final though.
I thought the Sharks would win it at home with WP missing a few stars but their defence held up the whole match and they did a good job of slowing down the Sharkies ball at the ruck.
Mind you: their fans back at the Cape must have been worried in the last minute as the final could have gone into overtime.
The set pieces were even in that the Sharks walked all over the WP scrum but couldn't win a lineout, and that probably cost them the game.
The key difference was that brilliancy by JdJ to score the only try of the match; he's got to have the best step since Fred Astaire and was able to take the visitors' one big moment.
MOTM Deon Fourie deserved his gong though Etzebeth had another cracking game - and I liked the flyhalf Catrakilis after he settled down. I've never heard about him before this year - or have forgotten. I think the commentators said that he is playing for the Kings in Super Rugby next year - is that right?
Fourie will be handy for the Boks on the EOYT if he gets picked; being able to play both on the open side and as hooker is uncommon.
I thought Beast was pretty good for the Sharks and didn't deserve to be in a losing team.
.
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
Man its great to be a WP supporter. Promised myself I'll buy a WeePee jersey if they won the CC and now I'll just have myself a Xmast box. Wore my Stormers one since saturday afternoon and even slept in it on saturday night after having some serious student charge office coffees, braaied in it yesterday and just enjoying the win after so many years waiting. WP also bagging the u19 CC and sure look like the future of SA rugby. Etsebeth was massive and my MOTM.
Highlights of the match
Highlights of the match
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
The Sharks admins raised the price of tickets from R100 to R300 for the final. Mind you if the Brutes did their part a week earlier in the semi and Newlands had the final it would have been a sell out within hours and it would have been three finals between the two biggest SA rivals.
Cat Killer became the first Greek to play and won a CC. He is off to the Queens, Stormers gets Jankies.
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