The rugby weekend kicks off in South Africa with a Friday triple header of Carling Currie Cup matches, with the top of the bill being the early evening shoot-out between the Vodacom Bulls and the Toyota Cheetahs in Pretoria.
The Bulls won away to DHL Western Province in the first round before comfortably beating Novavit Griffons last Sunday, but the Cheetahs could be a different proposition to their previous two opponents. The Cheetahs were particularly impressive in dispatching Province in Bloemfontein last Saturday and will provide the Bulls with their sternest test yet even though the Bulls are playing on their home field.
The selection policy of some of the bigger teams is surprising given this competition is being played in the off-season and players likely to be used in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, or who should be used in that competition, should be getting rested.
Most of the URC players are resting, but some aren’t and if the Stormers and Bulls go into the URC season with some players they might have used in that early stages of that competition on the injured list they will only have themselves to blame. The talk at the start was of this being a development competition for the bigger unions but some of the selections wouldn’t be out of place if they were being made for an Old Crocks tournament.
Just what is to be gained is difficult to ascertain, for the boasting rights for Currie Cup success aren’t what they were, but the Sharks, who have decided that they should be called the Sharks XV rather than be recognised as the full dinkum provincial team, probably have it right.
And it is why there shouldn’t be any tears in Durban over the fact the side has lost both games - for it doesn’t really matter. At least the results shouldn’t, the experience picked up by young players who are getting an opportunity does.
WP have chosen to play as WP so their two defeats in two starts matter more, with their performances being disappointing thus far if you consider some of the names of the team sheet and the fact the Stormers coaches are in charge. Fortunately for them they go to Welkom for the one game this weekend not being played on a Friday, this one is on Sunday, and that might be a bit of a pressure release for them.
The Sharks XV hosts the Pumas who will be smarting from their unexpected annihilation at the hands of the Golden Lions last week in the later Friday game at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, while the Lions will be wanting to keep their momentum going. It won’t be easy though as their visitors for the early afternoon kick-off in Johannesburg are the Windhoek Draught Griquas.
Weekend Carling Currie Cup fixtures
Fidelity ADT Lions v Windhoek Draught Griquas (Johannesburg, Friday 15.00)
Vodacom Blue Bulls v Toyota Free State Cheetahs (Pretoria, Friday 17.00)
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV v New Nation Pumas (Durban, Friday 19.00)
Novavit Griffons v DHL Western Province (Welkom, Sunday 15.00)