CURRIE CUP PREVIEW: Bok returnees shake up the domestic competition

The return of nine Springboks from international duty has certainly spiced up some of the Currie Cup contests as the tournament enters round two this weekend.

But will the Bok talent fit in seamlessly or create a speedbump in some crucial games for the teams that receive their stars back for a solitary game.

There is no doubting the quality of some of the players and the natural boost it will give sides, but at times, returning to a Currie Cup team that has been training together can be a negative as it disrupts the natural flow of proceedings.

Key to answer this question will be the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, who received five players back from the national team - two of them who will be joining the side after returning from overseas.

💥Carling Currie Cup Team Release💥

Your starting Hollywoodbets Sharks XV for tomorrow sees two of our new signings 🙌

Read full team release article on https://t.co/Cp6lcKZa0F #CarlingCurrieCup #GRIvSHA pic.twitter.com/2AvpTSF4xL
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) July 11, 2024

Trevor Nyakane and Andre Esterhuizen have both signed for the coming season, and having left their overseas clubs, now are Sharks players, and therefore can turn out for them. Along with Phepsi Buthelezi, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi, they make out a sextet of players that will give JP Pietersen’s side a massive boost ahead of their big game against Suzuki Griquas this weekend.

Normally a trip to Kimberley is a nightmare for teams, and Pieter Bergh’s side will want to bounce back after a poor opening loss to the Airlink Pumas in round one. But with their Bok stars, the Sharks will be more inclined to believe they can turn a potential banana peel into a statement game for them with their stars there.

Of course, we’ve often seen how some teams have struggled to integrate returning stars and Griquas will be banking on that, and the fact that Kimberley has become a hoodoo for some coastal teams in their outing.

The Pumas, who were very impressive in their opening win over Griquas, now play host to a Fidelity ADT Lions side that won in Durban by a solitary point last weekend, and will be looking to add a second away scalp to their roster early on.

Win and it puts the Lions into a very strong position early on in the tournament, with two away wins, but if the Pumas can claim a big scalp, they will feel that their chances against the bigger sides got even better as they back themselves to put in a strong run for the title.

The Lions have been boosted by the return of Springbok winger Edwill van der Merwe and uncapped scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, both of whom should add some spice to their games in Nelspruit.

Saturday’s only game sees the Toyota Cheetahs, on the back of an 80 point win over the Griffons, welcome DHL Western Province for a game that will be overshadowed by the test match between the Springboks and Ireland later on.

But for WP this is a tough encounter, and after losing against the Bulls last weekend in drenching rain, they need a victory to get their Currie Cup campaign off the ground. The Cheetahs will be eyeing a victory with the momentum they picked up against the Griffons and will see the WP as vulnerable at this early stage of the tournament.

The final game on Sunday sees the Vodacom Blue Bulls travel to Welkom to face the Griffons and hopefully not slip up where they did last year when the Griffons scored a famous win against a struggling Bulls side.

This season though, the Bulls look to have a lot more depth and should grab the points on offer as they look to add a second away win to their positive start to the season. With Jan-Hendrik Wessels back for the Bulls and getting game time, the hooker should be keen for action after extended time in the Springbok camp.

All the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division action will be broadcast live on Supersport.

Match information:

Suzuki Griquas v Hollywoodbets Sharks XV

Date: Friday, 12 July

Venue: Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley

Time: 3pm

Referee: Christopher Allison

TV: SS Rugby

Airlink Pumas v Fidelity ADT Lions

Date: Friday, 12 July

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Time: 7pm