PREVIEW: The table-topping and unbeaten Bulls could secure their place in the play-offs, two weeks before the end of the regular season.
Hosting the hapless Griquas – who have just two wins from seven starts – at Loftus Versfeld on Friday, the Bulls will nook a semifinal place with a win.
Chasing top spot and home-ground advantage in the play-offs, the Pretoria franchise is a strong favourite for the opening match of the round.
The Bulls have won six from seven and bagged a draw – with a home semifinal firmly in sight.
Replacement prop Khuthazani Mchunu said they have placed a premium on doing well in the oldest domestic competition in the world.
“It is a privilege to be part of it,” he said of the country’s premier domestic competition.
“We look forward to taking part and doing well in the tournament.”
Turning to the visitors from Kimberley, he said it is all about ‘momentum’ going into the play-offs.
“We have to ensure we keep producing good performances,” he said, adding: “We are trying to do our best to go all the way in the Currie Cup.
“We need to give the Currie Cup the respect it deserves and not just as a chance to secure a spot in the United Rugby Championship.”
(Article continues below the Mchunu interview …)
* On Saturday the action gets underway when the Sharks travel to Cape Town to tackle a hapless Western Province side that has beaten only the winless Griffons.
Saturday’s other match is a big catfight between the Cheetahs and Lions in Bloemfontein.
The fourth clash of the round will be staged in Welkom on Sunday, when the Griffons take on the Pumas.
In contrast to their arch-rivals from Pretoria, WP has focussed heavily on ‘development, – having already handed debuts to South African Under-20 captain Zachary Porthen (prop), Divan Fuller (loose forward) and JC Mars (wing) in recent weeks.
Their Junior Boks teammates from a few weeks ago, Batho Hlekani (lock), Ethan Bester (hooker), Litelihle Bester and Jurenzo Julius (midfielders) have featured in the Sharks set-up.
Stand-in coach Rito Hlungwani admitted that has been a focus for the Cape Town outfit.
“A big part of our mindset in the Currie Cup was to ensure the guys who did not get a lot of game time in the URC play in the Currie Cup,” Hlungwani said.
“That has been going well,” he said, adding that a player like Porthen could get experience from playing alongside veteran Scarra Ntubeni and Steven Kitshoff.
“That is exciting for us and we are ticking a very important box.
“We are happy with the progress of developing players,” the coach said.
“If we make the top four [reach the play-offs] it will be nice, but our focus is building a strong, solid foundation for the Stormers game.
“Despite the result in the Currie Cup competition, we are achieving that.
“The conversation is not about winning the Currie Cup, it is about how can we get better.”
It won’t be easy against the visitors from Durban, who have managed to shrug off a slow start to register three wins and a draw in their last four matches.
* Retired Springbok and now Director of Rugby for the Cheetahs Frans Steyn admitted the ‘big cat fight’ between the Free Staters and the Lions in Bloemfontein is vital in the final dash for the play-offs.
The Lions are second in the standings, three points adrift of the leaders, and four ahead of the Cheetahs, who are currently third on 24 points.
Mziwakhe Nkosi’s Lions have lost only once so far and have played an impressive attacking brand in their six wins.
The defending champion Cheetahs have lost two and drawn one.
“I think it will be an expansive game,” Steyn said, adding that they will have to match the Lions in every aspect.
“Everyone knows it will be a big challenge, but we are looking forward to it.
“Last week [against the Sharks] we made a lot of mistakes and we know we have to be better this week.”
In Sunday’s last encounter of the round, Jimmy Stonehouse’s Pumas will also be eager for a win over the Griffons when they meet in Welkom, after the team from Mpumalanga’s last win was in round four, almost a month ago.
All the teams and predictions follow below …
Friday, August 23
Bulls v Griquas
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-off: 19.05; 17.05 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Bulls by 16 points
Teams
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Henry Immelman, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Mpilo Gumede, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Nizaam Carr (captain), 5 Jannes Kirsten, 4 Cyle Brink, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Tielman Nieuwoudt.
Replacements: 16 Juan Else, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Merwe Olivier, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Katlego Letebele.
Griquas: 15 Connor Mahoney, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Sango Xamlashe (captain), 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Sako Makata, 10 Zinedine Robinson, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Cebo Dlamini, 2 Dandré Delport, 1 Leon Lyons.
Replacements: 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Janu Botha, 19 Albert Liebenberg, 20 Jac van der Walt, 21 Xavier Swartbooi, 22 Tylor Sefoor, 23 Zane Bester.
Referee: AJ Jacobs
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
Saturday, August 24
Western Province v Sharks
(Cape Town Stadium – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Sharks by five points
Teams
Western Province: TBC
Sharks: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Siya Ningiza, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Bathobele Hlekani, 3 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Braam Reyneke, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Coetzee le Roux, 20 Hennie Sieberhagen, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Christie Grobbelaar, 23 Anthony Volmink.
Referee: Dylen November
TMO: Egon Seconds
Cheetahs v Lions
(Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein – Kick-off: 17.00; 15.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Cheetahs by three points
Teams
Cheetahs: TBC
Lions: TBC
Referee: Morné Ferreira
TMO: Quinton Immelman
Sunday, August 25
Griffons v Pumas
(NorthWest Stadium, Welkom – kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Pumas by 22 points
Teams
Griffons: TBC
Pumas: TBC
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Quinton Immelman
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