PREVIEW: All eyes on Bulls, Lions as coastal sides arrive desperate for points

It may not be make-or-break time yet for the Carling Currie Cup, but for some sides in the tournament, getting a victory this weekend will either kickstart their campaign or put some daylight between them and the chasing pack.

Chief among these are the two Saturday derbies that headline the competition this weekend as the two Highveld front runners, the Fidelity ADT Lions and Vodacom Blue Bulls play host to traditional rivals, although the difference between the fortunes of the home sides and visitors could not be starker.

DHL Western Province travel to Loftus Versfeld having recorded their first win last week against the Novavit Griffons and needing a win away from home not only to keep them in the hunt but to also ensure the Bulls don’t get too far ahead of the chasing pack.

The two teams met a few weeks back, with the Bulls winning a monsoon-drenched contest but WP getting a late try to give them two bonus points, even though they were well-beaten.

There won’t be a hint of rain at Loftus on Saturday and the Bulls are looking to consolidate their unbeaten start as they power ahead in the standings.

And while both teams are missing a host of stars, the Bulls will be disappointed with letting in the bonus point try a few weeks back, especially given how they dominated that contest.

Either way it is set to be another derby game that while being bereft of stars, will continue the age-old tradition between the two sides and should provide entertainment for those watching, as it always does.

WP hooker JJ Kotze underlined the importance of the game for his side this week.

“It’s always tough against the Bulls; it could be a warm-up game at the Danie Craven Stadium and it would still be a tough derby. We are looking forward to it,” Kotze said.

“It’s always an important game. The rivalry is always there. The game is on Saturday and during our team meetings this week you could already feel that it’s WP against the Bulls.

“We have expectations of ourselves and our processes so whether it’s in the scrums or line-outs, we want to keep our standards high, remain focussed and find those connections out on the field.”

At Ellis Park, the Lions will put their status as the only other unbeaten side on the line against an increasingly desperate Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, who have yet to win a game in the tournament.

But that hasn’t dampened coach JP Pietersen’s enthusiasm that his side are not far away from coming right.

“Three very tough losses and very close losses. What we can work on as a young coaching staff is to encourage them more and just to tell them that they can win a game, and that they have to believe that they can win.

“I think there were four of them today that made their debut, and just to see the faces and how disappointed they are. But also, in their heart they are very excited to wear the Sharks jersey with pride.

“From my side, it’s the mindset and belief that they can win. They’ve got the ability to win, they understand rugby. It’s just to make them believe that they can win, and as a coaching staff we can do that. You never know what’s around the corner.”

Friday’s action sees the Griffons host the Toyota Cheetahs in a game that the Bloemfontein side are heavily favoured to win, especially as the Welkom side have leaked points this season and struggled after the departure of several players that were with them last year.

On Sunday, the Airlink Pumas, fresh from their win in Durban against the Sharks, will go into their traditional derby against Suzuki Griquas in a confident mood.

The Pumas bounced back from a massive loss at home against the Lions to beat the Sharks in Durban, while Griquas also lost to the Lions last week and both sides will be keen to get a win to keep in touch with the log leaders.

Match information:

NovaVit Griffons v Toyota Cheetahs

Date: Friday, 26 July

Venue: Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom

Time: 15h00

Referee: Sean Muller

TV: SS Rugby

Fidelity ADT Lions v Hollywoodbets Sharks XV

Date: Saturday, 27 July

Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

Time: 15h00

Referee: Griffin Colby