Preview: Currie Cup, Bulls v Griquas
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:30
The Blue Bulls, playing Griquas in their stand-over game from Round Six, will have a golden opportunity to reclaim first place on the Absa Currie Cup standings when the two sides go head-to-head at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
It will be the ideal tonic for the Loftus faithful, who had to endure a surprise home loss to the Lions last Saturday.
The Bulls, currently in fourth place and four points down on the first-placed Sharks, will reclaim first place with a win of any description. Their superior points difference will put them in first place, but a bonus-point win will put the matter beyond doubt.
For Griquas, of course, there is also much to play for.
Despite some erratic early season form, they showed glimpses of their ability with a win over Western Province. However, the men from Kimberley find themselves in last place on the standings.
In order to move off the bottom - which brings with it a promotion/relegation battle at the end of the season - Griquas need a win at Loftus. Again, a win in any form will do, as that would move them past Boland on points difference.
However, most of the talk this week has been about how the Bulls can reclaim what they feel is rightfully theirs - first place on the standings.
The men from Pretoria have made no secret of the fact that they were deeply disappointed with the result against the Lions last week and they know the only way to repay their loyal supporters - not to mention the hard-working coaching staff - is to deliver a sublime performance against the Griquas.
The game against the Griquas is also an ideal opportunity for guys like Wayne Julies, Francois Hougaard, Heinie Adams, Juandré Kruger and Chiliboy Ralepelle to showcase their talent.
The spotlight will be firmly on a couple of the Bulls' forgotten Springboks - Julies and Ralepelle.
Both have only recently returned from lengthy injury layoffs - Julies having recovered from a knee injury that has sidelined him since last year and Ralepelle back after knee trouble that kept him out since December 2006.
One-time Bok captain Ralepelle made his comeback to first class rugby a couple of weeks ago, as a replacement, but like Julies this will be his first Currie Cup start for the season.
Julies made his Springbok debut in 1999 against Spain in the World Cup and has played in 11 tests for South Africa.
Ralepelle, who captained the Boks against a World XV when he was injured in 2006, has made three Test appearances for the Boks - all as replacements. The game in which he captained South Africa was a non-cap international.
They provide some extra spice to the only Currie Cup game of the weekend, which serves as an appetiser to the Springboks versus All Black Test in Cape Town on Saturday.
Both players would like to make a statement to current Bok coach Peter de Villiers that they are still worthy of international selection.
But or the rest of the Bulls the game is all about vital Currie Cup points.
The Bulls are by no stretch of the imagination a full-strength side.
Apart from their regular Springboks, they also suffered a number of injury setbacks this week - not to mention the additional call-up of lock Danie Rossouw to the Bok squad.
Wing Akona Ndungane has been forced out with a hip injury, whilst Juandré Kruger will partner Wilhelm Steenkamp at lock in the absence of Rossouw and the injured Francois van Schouwenburg (broken thumb).
Griquas, already under pressure because of their precarious position on the standings, have some injury concerns of their own.
Flyhalf Naas Olivier, singed from Western Province last week, will undergo surgery on for a fractured cheekbone, while No.8 Heinrich Stride will be rested for this match.
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg for the Kimberley-based outfit, who has been forced into numerous changes on a weekly basis.
Griquas coach Dawie Theron said that he has never had to endure the number of injuries he has had this season.
"It is going to tough against the Bulls in the Bull ring, but they also have injury niggles," Theron said.
"Griquas played their best rugby against the Cheetahs last Friday," Theron said, adding that he is looking for his team to improve further ahead of the trip to Pretoria.
* With just one Currie Cup match scheduled for this weekend, it's up to two matches next weekend (August 22/23) and the following weekend (August 29/30), before five full weekends of four matches each ahead of the semifinals on Saturday, October 11.
Prediction: Not many backed the Bulls to lose to the Lions last week, but they did. However, only diehard Griqua supporters will wager on a win for the men from Kimberley. The Blue Bulls to win by plenty - 20 points or more.
The teams:
Blue Bulls: 15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 John Mametsa, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Wayne Julies, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Wikus van Heerden (captain), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Juandré Kruger, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Gürthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Dewald Potgieter, 19 Jacques Burger, 20 Heinie Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Marius Delport.
Griquas: 15 Bjorn Basson, 14 Gavin Passens, 13 Lafras Uys, 12 Riaan Viljoen, 11 MJ Mentz, 10 Tobie Botes, 9 Dougie Helmuth, 8 Gareth Krause (captain), 7 Stephan Gerber, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Cilliers Coetzer, 4 Wayne van Heerden, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 Albertus Buckle.
Replacements: 16 James van der Walt, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Brendon Snyman, 19 Tyronne Holmes, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21
Jaco Bekker, 22 Egon Seconds.
Date: Friday, August 15
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Christie du Preez
Touch judges: Pro Legoete, Muller van der Nest
TMO: Michael Cupido/Gerrie Coetzee
