Currie Cup 2012

[PaarlBok]

Probably the best thing they can do after last week.

Where are back in 1987, play our own World Cup.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

Province have eight of their players in the Springbok squad in New Zealand and have already lost 20 players this season through injury.

That's a hell of an injury toll. No wonder the lions are doing so well - were there any lions players in the Bok squad?

Looks like the Blue Bulls have made a bigger comback that Lazarus, after being at the bottom of the log early in the season!

 

[PaarlBok]

That's a hell of an injury toll. No wonder the lions are doing so well - were there any lions players in the Bok squad?

Looks like the Blue Bulls have made a bigger comback that Lazarus, after being at the bottom of the log early in the season!

Butch James. Unfortanetly it look like the Brutes may end up just short after their loss to Griquas. Hendrik Roodt have signed with the Lions from next year.

 

[PaarlBok]

Western Province: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Jean De Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Adriaan Fondse, 4 Hilton Lobberts, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 JC Kritzinger
Substitutes: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 Tertius Daniller, 19 Schalk Burger, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Jaque Fourie, 22 Conrad Jantjes

 

[qwerty51]

Wow they didn't waste time getting them back into it did they.. seems a little harsh, I would've thought they'd like a few weeks off first

 

[PaarlBok]

Butch James. Unfortanetly it look like the Brutes may end up just short after their loss to Griquas. Hendrik Roodt have signed with the Lions from next year.

CJ vd Linde is also a Lion now.

 

[PaarlBok]

Possible farewell for Gary Botha at the Ring tonite.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

Blue Bulls v Leopards, Pretoria - 19:10

Blue Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Louis Fouch, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha (captain), 1 Dean Greyling

Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Jurgen Visser

Leopards:
15 Hofmann Maritz, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Charl Weideman, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht (captain), 11 Wynand Willis, 10 Wesley Dunlop, 9 Johann Laker, 8 Robert Kruger, 7 MB Lusaseni, 6 Philip de Wet, 5 Brendon Snyman, 4 Brad Mockford, 3 Dewald Coetzee, 2 Gavin Williamson, 1 Jean-Jacques Rossouw

Substitutes: 16 Marius Fourie, 17 Bush Mxunyelwa, 18 Brend Botha, 19 Spanner Pretorius, 20 George Tossel, 21 Clayton Durand, 22 Jovan Bowles

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

Free State Cheetahs v Griquas, Bloemfontein - 15:00

Free State Cheetahs:
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Rayno Benjamin, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Philip Snyman, 11. Cameron Jacobs, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Piet van Zyl, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Philip Van der Walt, 6. Pieter Labuschagne, 5. Izak van der Westhuizen, 4. Francois (FS) Uys, 3. WP Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1. Marcel Van Der Merwe

Substitutes: 16. Hercu Liebenberg, 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19. Boom Prinsloo, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Riaan Smit, 22. Andries Strauss

Griquas:
15 Rudi Vogt, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Matthew Rosslee, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Riaan Viljoen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Jonathan Mokuena (captain), 5 George Earle, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Ivann Espag

Substitutes: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Jaco Nepgen, 19 Burger Schoeman, 20 Marnus Hugo, 21 Earl Rose, 22 Fabian Juries

Western Province v Pumas, Cape Town - 17:05

Western Province:
15 Gio Aplon, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Jean De Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Adriaan Fondse, 4 Hilton Lobberts, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 JC Kritzinger
Substitutes: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 Tertius Daniller, 19 Schalk Burger, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Jaque Fourie, 22 Conrad Jantjes

Pumas:
TBA

Sharks v Golden Lions, Durban - 19:10

Sharks:
15 Pat Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Marius Joubert, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Keegan Daniel (captain), 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Jean Deysel, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Eugene van Staden.

Substitutes: Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Willem Alberts, Jacques Botes, Ross Cronje, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, JP Pietersen.

Golden Lions:
15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Dylan des Fountain, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 James Kamana, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss (captain), 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Michael Rhodes, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg

Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Patric Cilliers, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Elton Jantjies, 21 Butch James, 22 Michael Killian


SA RUGBYs PREVIEW:

Absa Currie Cup Preview – Week 14
October 13, 2011
Three teams will fight it out this weekend for the final spot in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division semi-finals, with DHL Western Province best placed to qualify for the playoffs.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls – at home against the Platinum Leopards – and GWK Griquas – away to the Toyota Free State Cheetahs – linger in fifth and sixth position on the log and have a mathematical chance of making it through to the semi-finals, but they don’t have their destiny in their own hands.

A bit higher on the log, The Sharks, who take on the first-placed MTN Golden Lions in Durban, and the Toyota Free State Cheetahs are in a race to second position on the log.

Semi-final permutations:

Vodacom Blue Bulls – 35 log points; points’ difference: +13
The first semi-final contender to play this weekend, the Blue Bulls will know nothing less than a bonus-point victory over the Leopards will be good enough. And even then they still have to rely on the Pumas keeping WP from winning and scoring four tries on Saturday.

GWK Griquas – 35 log points; points’ difference: -34
A full house of five log points will be needed for Griquas, whose points’ difference is the worst of the three contenders for fourth spot, but then the Blue Bulls have to get less than that against the Leopards and WP can’t get more than three points against the Pumas.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs – 42 log points; points’ difference: +164
Currently third on the log, the Cheetahs can move up to second if they can beat Griquas with a bonus point and The Sharks don’t get a bonus-point victory over the Golden Lions.

DHL Western Province – 36 log points; points’ difference: +71
By the time the game at Newlands starts, WP will know exactly what they need to qualify for the playoffs, but irrespective of what has happened in the first two games of the weekend, a bonus-point victory over the Pumas will see WP through to the semi-finals.

The Sharks – 43 log points; points’ difference: +58
The Sharks will know what is expected of them to clinch second spot on the log by the time their game against the Golden Lions kicks off. They will need to match or better the amount of log points the Free State Cheetahs get against Griquas, but a bonus-point victory over the Golden Lions will be enough for The Sharks to secure second spot on the log.

MTN Golden Lions – 50 log points
The Golden Lions are assured of top spot on the log and will host a semi-final against the fourth-placed team in Johannesburg next weekend.

The Ford Pumas and Platinum Leopards can’t qualify for the semi-finals and will finish in respective seventh and eighth positions on the log irrespective of what happens this weekend.

Vodacom Blue Bulls vs Platinum Leopards

Play and wait seems to be the mantra for the Vodacom Blue Bulls this weekend as they open the final round of Absa Currie Cup league fixtures at Loftus Versfeld against the Platinum Leopards on Friday evening.

But even though they still have a small chance of reaching the semi-finals, they Blue Bulls will have to make sure they win this game before they can start hoping for a big favour from the Ford Pumas.

Pine Pienaar, coach of the Vodacom Blue Bulls, realises they can’t take anything for granted this weekend, not even a victory over the Leopards, who would like to finish their season on a high.

Had the Blue Bulls not lost against Griquas in Kimberley last weekend, they could have started the final round with their destiny still in their own hands.

“This coming weekend against Leopards we have to focus on ourselves. We are not in control with what happens with the Western Province and Puma game. It was the same principle we had against Griquas,” said Pienaar.

“We can only blame ourselves for the past weekend against Griquas. We did not do well, and conceded too many turnovers. That is the position we put ourselves in and again we have to focus on this weekend, our last game at home.”

Vodacom Blue Bulls vs Platinum Leopards
Date: Friday, 14 October
Kick-off: 19:10
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Stuart Berry
Last three games in Absa Currie Cup:
• 6 August 2010: Blue Bulls won 43-38 in Pretoria
• 25 September 2010: Blue Bulls won 39-26 in Potchefstroom
• 26 August 2011: Blue Bulls won 28-20 in Phokeng

Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs GWK Griquas

The possibility of a home semi-final against pride and the slim chance of reaching the playoffs – that is what Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup derby between the Toyota Free State Cheetahs and GWK Griquas at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein is all about.

While both teams have aspirations – the Cheetahs to finish second and Griquas to sneak into fourth – neither of them have their destiny in their owns hands, which should make for an open and free flowing contest, as they will both be chasing a full house of five log points.

“Even though Griquas only have a very slim chance of making the semi-finals, they are still a very dangerous opponent, because it could see them throw the ball around even more. They never give up, like we saw last week when they fought back to beat the Blue Bulls," said Cheetahs assistant coach Hawies Fourie.

“We also had a taste of their never-say-die attitude when we played them in Kimberley earlier in the season (and Griquas won 23-20).

“All we know is that we have to win and score a bonus point to stay in the hunt for a home semi-final. We will play against The Sharks, with the venue to be confirmed after their game against the Golden Lions.”

Contests between these two neighbouring provinces are always close affairs and Saturday’s game will in all likelihood be the same.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs GWK Griquas
Date: Saturday, 15 October
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Marius Jonker
Last three games in Absa Currie Cup:
• 16 July 2010: Free State Cheetahs won 33-26 in Bloemfontein
• 3 September 2010: Free State Cheetahs won 33-28 in Kimberley
• 27 August 2011: Griquas won 23-20 in Kimberley

DHL Western Province vs Ford Pumas

DHL Western Province have put last weekend’s disappointing defeat behind them and will be looking to secure their place in the Absa Currie Cup semi-finals with a strong performance against the Ford Pumas as DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

WP will know exactly what is expected of them when they take to the field against the Pumas and with their playoff chances better than those of the Blue Bulls and Griquas, especially since the team from Cape Town will be buoyed by the return of a number of Springboks.

The return of six of his national players is something that WP coach Allister Coetzee is not frowning at, especially since WP have been decimated by injuries this season. He has selected Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers and Bryan Habana to start, with Schalk Burger and Jaque Fourie on the bench.

“Injuries have been a problem the whole year, but we have responded well to it. Our semi-final destiny is in our own hands, so now we just need to go out there and get the result that we need,” said Coetzee.

“The Boks bring an enormous amount to the team dynamic and our play. Griquas have given us another bite at the cherry and it's an opportunity we don't want to let slip, but it won’t be easy against the Pumas – they took the Cheetahs very close last week. They are very physical and clearly won't be pushovers.”

DHL Western Province vs Ford Pumas
Date: Saturday, 15 October
Kick-off: 17:05
Venue: DHL Newlands, Cape Town
Referee: Pro Legoete
Last three games in Absa Currie Cup:
• 30 July: WP won 54-13 in Cape Town
• 17 September: WP won 62-10 in Nelspruit
• 26 August 2011: WP won 24-13 in Witbank

The Sharks vs MTN Golden Lions

The Sharks can secure a home semi-final is they can beat the Absa Currie Cup table-topping MTN Golden Lions at Mr Price Kings Park on Saturday in the final league match of the season. And how apt that it will be played by the two top teams in the competition.

As the Golden Lions have already qualified for a home semi-final – their first at Coca-Cola Park since 1999 – coach John Mitchell has decided to give a number of his players a break this weekend, while at the same time giving others some valuable game time ahead of the playoffs.

“It also gives other players the chance under match conditions, something which could be important in the play-offs if any of the regular players are injured. This is in no way an indication that we underestimate the Sharks,” said Mitchell.

John Plumtree, coach of The Sharks, explained that Mitchell’s team selections would not influence the way the Durbanites approached the game. They realise a full house of five log points would ensure an Absa Currie Cup semi-final at Mr Price Kings Park next weekend.

The prospect of bolstering his pack with a number of returning Springboks is very appealing to Plumtree, the Sharks coach admitted.

“Ultimately, we need to get on with our preparation this week. We’ve trained really well,” said Plumtree, who would be especially keen so see front rankers such as Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis back in action.

“We’ve struggled upfront all tournament, and no disrespect to the guys we’ve had, but the opposition had bigger men. This week, things can change for us in that department, and if not this week, then next,” said the Sharks coach.

The Sharks vs MTN Golden Lions
Date: Saturday, 15 October
Kick-off: 19:10
Venue: Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Jason Jaftha
Last three games in Absa Currie Cup:
• 7 August 2010: Sharks won 48-19 in Durban
• 25 September 2010: Golden Lions won 22-20 in Johannesburg
• 27 August 2011: Golden Lions won 28-19 in Johannesburg

Rumours are that Habana and Jac Fourie are busy with Japan talks and may move on.

 

[PaarlBok]

and Division 1 final on my stoep this afternoon

Absa Currie Cup First Division – Final Preview
October 11, 2011
The Regent Boland Cavaliers will go into Friday’s Absa Currie Cup First Division Final buoyed by the knowledge that they easily beat the EP Kings in their last encounter, three weeks ago also in Wellington.
However, that game belongs to history and both teams have said they are ready for this clash, at 16:00 at the Boland Stadium.

According to Kings coach Alan Solomons, what happened in Wellington on 23 September, when Boland won 49-15, will not be on the minds of his players this weekend.

“I don't think there will be any scarring (from that match),” Solomons said.

A yellow card to Kings loose forward Jacques Engelbrecht cost his team dearly on that day. When he was sent to the sin bin in the 66th minute, the Cavaliers were leading by 21-15.

When Engelbrecht returned 10 minutes later, his side had almost been knocked out, with Boland scoring three converted tries to lead 42-15. To add insult to injury, Cavaliers wing Danwell Demas scored his fourth try late in the game to put the final nail in the Kings’ coffin.

Solomons added: "The big points difference in that game only came in the last 12 or so minutes, when we played basically with 14 men. We see it in perspective and understand it. That game could have gone either way.”

Because of injury to regular skipper Luke Watson as well as his replacement from last week Darron Nell, Solomons has named Falie Oelschig as captain for the final.

“The team worked very hard throughout the season to get here and it’s great to be rewarded with a final at our home ground,” said Eloff, who named an unchanged team from the one that won their semi-final last weekend.

“We’ve prepared very well for this game against the Kings and the players are positive – we’re all looking forward to Friday’s game.

“Yes, we know it’s going to be very tough and the team that wants the victory the most will probably end up winning it. The team that give their all on the day, will come out on top.”

Both Boland and the Kings have won nine from their ten league fixtures, only losing their away fixtures against each other. They have dominated the Absa Currie Cup First Division and are worthy finalists after comfortable semi-final victories last weekend.

Regent Boland Cavaliers vs EP Kings – Absa Currie Cup First Division Final
Date: Friday, 14 October 2011
Kick-off: 16:00
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker and Cobus Wessels
Last five games in Absa Currie Cup First Division:
• 31 July 2010: EP Kings won 33-22 in Wellington
• 10 September 2010: EP Kings won 23-16 in Port Elizabeth
• 8 October 2010: EP Kings won 26-25 in Port Elizabeth (semi-final)
• 12 August 2011: EP Kings won 23-18 in Port Elizabeth
• 23 September 2011: Boland won 49-15 in Wellington

Teams:

Regent Boland Cavaliers: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Danwell Demas, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 PJ Vermeulen, 11 Brendon April, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Bolla Conradie (captain), 8 Zandre Jordaan, 7 Junior Bester, 6 Milroy Isaacs, 5 Grant le Roux, 4 Ligtoring Landman, 3 Eugene Butterworth, 2 Clemen Lewis, 1 Janro van Niekerk. Replacements: 16 Ashton Constant, 17 Charl du Plessis, 18 Henjo van Niekerk, 19 Thor Halvorsen, 20 Neil Papier, 21 Jonathan Franke, 22 PJ van Zyl.

EP Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Andile Witbooi, 13 Joe Breytenbach, 12 Jaco Bekker, 11 Norman Nelson, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Falie Oelschig (captain), 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Mpho Mbiyozo, 6 Devin Oosthuizen, 5 Ross Kennedy, 4 Wayne van Heerden, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Jaco Engels. Replacements: Ronnie Uys, Bobby Dyer, Barend Pieterse, Boetie Brits, Danie Faasen, George Whitehead, Tiger Mangweni.

Please note, teams subject to change by the provinces.

Other fixtures:

Absa U21 B-division Final
13:30: EP vs Border – Boland Stadium, Wellington

Absa U19 B-division Final
12:00: Border vs Griffons – Boland Stadium, Wellington

Hoping my real province Boeland put the Kings to the sword today. Want to see Boeland in the Premier Division. To many good players from this area and Maties like Marius Joubert, Dewaldt Duvenhage and Josh Strauss have gone the Boeland root as young professional players. The Kings, they have the BIG player budget and Kots Watson and his pa and the Government behind them.

 

[PaarlBok]

Sam Lane gets his first start for WP U21 now with the real players back from the senior team.

15. Kurt Coleman 14. Clearance Khumalo 13. Michael van der Spuy 12. Berton Klaasen 11. Tythan Adams 10. Sam Lane 9. Fred Muller 8. Nizaam Carr 7. Garrick Matthee 6. Sam Mabombo 5. Reniel Hugo 4. Wilhelm van der Sluys 3. Ruan Smith 2. Scarra Ntubeni - CAPTAIN 1. Brummer Badenhorst

Reserves:

16. Neil Rautenbach 17. Francois van Wyk 18. JP Smith 19. JP Swanepoel 20. Grant Hattingh 21. Andries Truter 22. Damian de Allende

Referee: Dilbert November

KICK-OFF: 14h40

 

[PaarlBok]

All the Bokke were awesome in yesterdays matches. Schalk Burger just carried on where he left off in NZ. Condonlenses to my brute broers, they dont make the semis first time since 2001 and really put in a brave effort on friday night. Sharks the clear cut favourate to reatain our own WC.

 

[Blue]

All the Bokke were awesome in yesterdays matches. Schalk Burger just carried on where he left off in NZ. Condonlenses to my brute broers, they dont make the semis first time since 2001 and really put in a brave effort on friday night. Sharks the clear cut favourate to reatain our own WC.

I watched the Bulls / Griquas game where the Bulls lead by 13, got cocky, and lost.

No old heads in the team and a lot of cocky youngsters who were hi fiving like they had won it.

I hope this is a wake up call.

 

[PaarlBok]

Bit slow out of the blocks, some doos poach my parrafien laptop out of my office, bliksems.

Absa Currie Cup Review – Week 14
October 16, 2011
The Sharks sent out a strong warning that they are not going to let go of their Absa Currie Cup crown without a fight when they comprehensively beat the log-leading MTN Golden Lions to clinch a home semifinal next week.
DHL Western Province booked their tickets to Johannesburg next week with a solid 43-18 victory over the Ford Pumas, ruling the Vodacom Blue Bulls out of the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

Even though the Toyota Free State Cheetahs beat GWK Griquas by 49-39 in their match in Bloemfontein, the Sharks’ 53-9 drubbing of the Golden Lions meant the team from Bloemfontein have to travel to Durban next weekend.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls finished a disappointing season with the biggest score of 2011 when they crushed the Platinum Leopards by 92-21 in Pretoria on Friday evening.

Absa Under-21 and Under-19 A-Division

The Blue Bulls topped the logs in the A-Division of the Absa Under-19 and Absa Under-21 competitions, qualifying for home semifinals next weekend.

The Blue Bulls U21s will host their Golden Lions counterparts in a semifinal after losing only two of their 12 league fixtures. In the other U21 semifinal, Western Province host the Sharks.
In the Absa Under-19 semifinals, the Blue Bulls will take on Free State at home, with the Golden Lions taking second position on the log for a semifinal against Western Province.
Vodacom Blue Bulls 92 (35) Platinum Leopards 21 (21)

The Vodacom Blue Bulls did everything in their power to keep alive their slim mathematical chance of reaching the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division semifinals, but in the end not even a massive victory of 92-21 over the Platinum Leopards at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria was enough as they crashed out of the competition.

The Blue Bulls scored 14 tries, including a penalty try, as they racked up the joint-most points scored in a single Absa Currie Cup match since 13 September 2008, when DHL Western Province beat the Valke by 92-15 in Cape Town.

Springbok wing Bjorn Basson got a hat-trick, while No 8 CJ Stander and lock Juandré Kruger got two each. The Blue Bulls were devastating in the second half and scored 57 of their points in this period, while the Leopards could not add to their first-half tally of 21.

And even though they finished the season on a high, the Blue Bulls, Absa Currie Cup champions in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 (shared) and 2009, were left ruing a couple of defeats earlier on in 2011.

Scorers:

Vodacom Blue Bulls – Tries: Akona Ndungane, CJ Stander (2), Jano Vermaak, Francois Venter, Juandré Kruger (2), Bjorn Basson (3), Arno Botha, Gary Botha, Francois Brummer; Penalty try. Conversions: Louis Fouche (11).

Platinum Leopards – Tries: Wesley Dunlop, Joubert Engelbrecht, Hoffman Maritz. Conversions: Dunlop (3).

Teams:

Vodacom Blue Bulls::15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Louis Fouché, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha (captain), 1 Dean Greyling. Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Jurgen Visser.

Platinum Leopards::15 Hofmann Maritz, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Charl Weideman, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht (captain), 11 Vainon Willis, 10 Wesley Dunlop, 9 Johann Laker, 8 Robert Kruger, 7 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 6 Philip de Wet, 5 Brendon Snyman, 4 Brad Mockford, 3 Dewald Coetzee, 2 Gavin Williamson, 1 Jean-Jacques Rossouw. Replacements: 16 Marius Fourie, 17 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 18 Bêrend Botha, 19 Spanner Pretorius, 20 George Tossel, 21 Clayton Durand, 22 Jovan Bowles.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs 49 (20) GWK Griquas 39 (10)

With the possibility of a home semifinal still within their reach at kick-off, the Toyota Free State Cheetahs did everthing in their power to finish second in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division when they beat neighbours GWK Griquas by 49-39 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Sharks put an end to the Cheetahs’ aspirations a bit later though, but the Free Staters will still be happy with a good victory a week before they have to travel to Durban to take on the KwaZulu-Natalians in a semifinal.

The home team scored six tries to Griquas’ five, but the visiting team got three of their tries in the final 10 minutes, when the Free State Cheetahs had already wrapped up the match.

Young Cheetahs flanker Pieter Labuschagne, one of their finds of the season, scored two tries for the home team, one in each half.

When replacement centre Werner Griesel scored the Cheetahs’ sixth try in the 70th minute, they took a commanding 49-20 lead, after which Dusty Noble (wing), Steph Roberts (replacement hooker) and Sarel Pretorius (scrumhalf), in his final match for the Peacock Blues, scored tries to give Griquas’ score a bit more respectability.

Scorers:

Toyota Free State Cheetahs – Tries: Cameron Jacobs, Pieter Labuschagne (2), Adriaan Strauss, Philip Burger, Werner Griesel. Conversions: Nico Scheepers, Tewis de Bruyn (4). Penalties: Scheepers (2), De Bruyn.

GWK Griquas – Tries: Riaan Viljoen, Leon Karemaker, Dusty Noble, Steph Roberts, Sarel Pretorius. Conversions: Rudi Vogt (3). Penalties: Vogt (2).

Teams:

Toyota Free State Cheetahs::15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Cameron Jacobs, 10 Tewis de Bruyn, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Pieter Labuschagne, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Marcel van der Merwe. Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Johan Wessels, 20 Enrico Acker, 21 Philip Burger, 22 Werner Griesel.

GWK Griquas : 15 Rudi Vogt, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Matthew Rosslee, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Riaan Viljoen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Jonathan Mokuena (captain), 5 George Earle, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Ivann Espag. Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Jaco Nepgen, 19 Burger Schoeman, 20 Marnus Hugo, 21 Earl Rose, 22 Fabian Juries.

DHL Western Province 43 (24) Ford Pumas 18 (8)

Siya Kolisi’s try in the 58th minute gave DHL Western Province a four-try bonus point which was enough to secure them fourth position on the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division log in their victory of 43-18 over the Ford Pumas at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

But they had to work hard for this one. After returning Springbok Juan de Jongh crossed for WP’s third try in the 29th minute, the Pumas held them off for half an hour before Kolisi could score the vital five-pointer.

WP started like a house on fire, with another returning Bok, Jean de Villiers, getting the score board rolling in the third minute. Hooker Deon Fourie also crossed the chalk, in the 11th minute before De Jongh made it three.

And Province finished like they started. After Kolisi’s try, JJ Engelbrecht and Bryan Habana’s tries pushed WP’s score up to 43. But the Pumas deserve some credit as they never stopped working and really took the game to the Capetonians, with loose forwards Jaco Bouwer and RW Kember (replacement) scoring tries for team from Mpumalanga.

Scorers:

DHL Western Province – Tries: Jean de Villiers, Deon Fourie, Juan de Jongh, Siya Kolisi, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (3), Conrad Jantjes (2). Penalty: Catrakilis.

Ford Pumas – Tries: Jaco Bouwer, RW Kember. Conversion: Carl Bezuidenhout. Penalties: Bezuidenhout (2).

Teams:

DHL Western Province: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nick Köster, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Adriaan Fondse, 4 Hilton Lobberts, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 JC Kritzinger. Replacements: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 Tertius Daniller, 19 Schalk Burger, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Jaque Fourie, 22 Conrad Jantjes.

Ford Pumas: 15 MJ Mentz, 14 Deon Scholtz, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Dewald Pretorius, 11 Johan Jackson, 10 Carl Bezuidenhout, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Christo le Roux, 7 Jaco Bouwer, 6 Corné Steenkamp (captain), 5 Eduan van der Walt, 4 Willem Serfontein, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Pellow van der Westhuizen, 1 Dawie Steyn. Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Brett Nel, 18 JP Mostert, 19 RW Kember, 20 Hendrik van der Nest, 21 Coenie van Wyk, 22 Siviwe Magaba.

The Sharks 53 (14) MTN Golden Lions 9 (6)

The Sharks are not planning to give up their Absa Currie Cup Premier Division crown without a massive fight as they showed with arguably their best performance of the 2011-season when they crushed the MTN Golden Lions by 53-9 at Mr Price Kings Park in Durban on Saturday evening.

Bolstered by a number of returning Springboks, The Sharks scored seven tries and did not concede one against the team who had already wrapped up the first position on the log before this match.

As a result, the Golden Lions decided to give a number of their fringe players some game time, resting some first-choice players.

A yellow card to Lions lock Michael Rhodes in the 29th minute cost the visitors, with Ryan Kankowski, back after weeks on the sidelines because of injury, scoring the first of his two tries to see The Sharks take a 14-6 lead into the break.

They never let up and with three tries in the final 15 minutes, by JP Pietersen (replacement wing), Jacques Botes (replacement flank) and Stefan Terblanche (centre) helped The Sharks surpass 50 points for the first time this season.

Flyhalf Fred Michalak contributed 23 points to comfortably top the list of Absa Currie Cup points scorers. The French international finished the league phase of the season with 181 points, followed by Elton Jantjies (MTN Golden Lions) on 145, Rudi Vogt (GWK Griquas) on 144, Demetri Catrakilis (DHL WP) on 135 and Sias Ebersohn (Toyota FS Cheetahs) and Louis Fouche (Vodacom Blue Bulls), both on 126.

Scorers:

The Sharks – Tries: Fred Michalak, Ryan Kankowski (2), Willem Alberts, JP Pietersen, Jacques Botes, Stefan Terblanche. Conversions: Michalak (6). Penalties: Michalak (2).

MTN Golden Lions – Penalties: Burton Francis (3).

Teams:

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

MTN Golden Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Dylan Des Fountain, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 James Kamana, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Josh Strauss (captain), 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Michael Rhodes, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Patric Cilliers, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Elton Jantjies, 21 Butch James, 22 Michael Killian

 

[PaarlBok]

Refs on duty in the CC semis
SARugby

Jaco Peyper and Marius Jonker have been appointed to referee the two Absa Currie Cup semi-finals this weekend.

Peyper will take charge of the match between the MTN Golden Lions and DHL Western Province at Coca-Cola Park, while Jonker has been handed the refereeing responsibilities in the semi-final between The Sharks and the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at Mr Price Kings Park in Durban.

Commenting on the appointments, André Watson, general manager of the South African Rugby Union’s Referees, said: “Both Jaco and Marius are vastly experienced and have proven track records at the highest levels of the game.

“We’re confident that both these referees have what it takes to make a success of crunch games such as the Absa Currie Cup semi-finals.

Peyper will be assisted by Stuart Berry and Cobus Wessels, with Gerrie Coetzee named the Television Match Official.

In Durban, Jonker’s assistants will be Pro Legoete and Marc van Zyl, with JC Fortuin appointed as TMO.

In the Absa Under-19 and Absa Under-21 A-Division semi-finals, Lusanda Jam (Blue Bulls U21 vs Golden Lions U21 in Pretoria), Tiaan Jonker (WP U21 vs Sharks U21 in Cape Town), Marius van der Westhuizen (Blue Bulls U19 vs Free State U19 in Pretoria) and Archie Sehlako (Golden Lions U19 vs WP U19 in Johannesburg) have been appointed as referees.

Rasta Rashivenga (SWD U19 vs Griffons U19) and Quinton Immelman (Valke U21 vs Border U21) will take charge of the age-group promotion / relegation matches.

“These men represent the best of our up and coming referees and they are rewarded for good performances this season by being handed playoff matches,” said Watson.

 

[PaarlBok]

Good news for WeePee is that Elstadt back in action and Lobberts out.

 

[qwerty51]

Reckon WP can win this one Paarl? I'm backing them to beat the Sharks in the final.

 

[PaarlBok]

Reckon WP can win this one Paarl? I'm backing them to beat the Sharks in the final.

Dunno OuBoet. Everything changed since the Bokke came back last week and made Huge impact from the benches for WeePee and Sharks. Lions wont be easy in Ellispark and think the Sharks have a pretty good side now. They sure are a different kind of fish with Michalak and Jouba back since the S15. WP still miss Bekker, Vermeulen, Duvenhage and had a lot of injuries since the end of the S15 but also found some real young talent in players like Kolisi, Malherbe, Groom and our Ikey Greek. We struggled in the scrums and lineouts against the Pumas and if we can get our 1st phase sorted we should be competitive. Our backline is Bok quality all the way and if we can give them some pill to work with we'll be OK. To tough to call.

 

[whatty]

No Currie cup in little NZ again!!

 

[PaarlBok]

Brain Habana has signed a two year deal and look like Jac Fourie will also stay.

Sport24

Wagner confirms Fourie stay
Cape Town – Western Province rugby’s managing director, Rob Wagner has announced that they are in the process of finalising centre, Jaque Fourie’s contract for next season.

This may have laid the rumour , that has the 29-year-old Carltonvillian’s eyes set on a big money move to Japan, to rest - for now at least.

“Jaques is staying. I can’t say what the length of the new contract is as we are still busy negotiating further details, but I can say that he is staying. All the other Boks have already signed contracts to play for us,” Wagner told Wednesday’s Cape Times.

Fourie, who signed for the Stormers at the end of the 2009 season, who has been selected to play for Western Province in their Currie Cup semi-final against the team he left, the Lions, admitted that a few clubs in Japan were after his signature and that he would talk to his current employers before making a decision.

However, the ‘soft’ confirmation from Wagner may suggest that the door may yet be open for any Japanese suitor hoping to snatch Fourie away for a little while much in the same way another Stormers player, Peter Grant, is ‘shared’.

Grant is currently in his second season with the Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers and has an agreement with Western Province rugby which enables him travel to Japan to take part in their club season instead of playing in the Currie Cup. He then returns to Cape Town after the end of the Japanese season to play for the Stormers for the rest of the Super Rugby tournament.

Wagner’s announcement confirms that no more Springboks will be leaving the franchise, but he admits that it has not been easy to strengthen the squad with new players after the void left by the departures of Johann Sadie, JJ Engelbrecht, Lionel Cronje, CJ van der Linde as well as Francois Louw’s transfer to Bath.

“There have been names bandied about, but most of the players seem to have contracts already,”

Semi teams
Kick-off is at 17:00.

Teams:

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

Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Warren Whiteley, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar/Jaco Kriel, 20 Butch James, 21 Dylan Des Fountain, 22 James Kamana

Western Province:
15 Gio Aplon, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean De Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JC Kritzinger

Substitutes: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 Tertius Daniller, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Juan de Jongh, 22 Conrad Jantjes

 

[Brisbok]

Dunno OuBoet. Everything changed since the Bokke came back last week and made Huge impact from the benches for WeePee and Sharks. Lions wont be easy in Ellispark and think the Sharks have a pretty good side now. They sure are a different kind of fish with Michalak and Jouba back since the S15. WP still miss Bekker, Vermeulen, Duvenhage and had a lot of injuries since the end of the S15 but also found some real young talent in players like Kolisi, Malherbe, Groom and our Ikey Greek. We struggled in the scrums and lineouts against the Pumas and if we can get our 1st phase sorted we should be competitive. Our backline is Bok quality all the way and if we can give them some pill to work with we'll be OK. To tough to call.

Haven't had a chance to catch any of the CC games this year unfortunately. How has Joubert been going since he's been back Paarl? Do you think he will make an impact at Super Rugby level next year?

 

[PaarlBok]

Haven't had a chance to catch any of the CC games this year unfortunately. How has Joubert been going since he's been back Paarl? Do you think he will make an impact at Super Rugby level next year?

He started off slowly but is getting there. Next year he'll be great for them. They bought Bosman and JL Potgieter and not the best of buys. See Marius play 12 now which is a bit of a surprise but have the experiense to give it his best shot. Myself always rated Conrad Hoffman who get a change now in the 9 jersey. Watched Conrad (Paarl BoysHigh) and Duvenhage (Gimmie) battles since their schooldays and have respect for both talents. Also good to see Louis Schreuder and his 150year Gimmie class starting to push to the highest level. They were excellent as schoolboy players.