The return of Springbok winger Canan Moodie for the first time since the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and several others to the Carling Currie Cup will add some spice to the round five fixtures this weekend.
Moodie, who fractured his finger and missed the final against Glasgow Warriors, has been watched closely and was due to return a few weeks ago to the Springbok squad, but ultimately missed out on selection for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship because of fitness concerns.
Now, fit and raring to go, Vodacom Blue Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo hasn’t wasted a minute to get him back into the action as he looks to confirm his form ahead of the Boks’ return in a few weeks time.
The next few rounds will serve as the perfect return for Moodie and a number of Boks who will bolster their teams as the moving stage of the competition starts to take shape with the Bulls set to take control at the top of the log if they pull off a win in Bloemfontein against the Toyota Cheetahs on Friday night.
Moodie’s return is complimented by the return from a long-term injury of Cyle Brink, the hard flanker who has more than his share of injury problems and the Bulls will be hoping that he is able to make a big impact in a side that is looking to ultimately add another title to its trophy cabinet.
But the Cheetahs at home are never easy, and while the Bulls won the previous match at Loftus Versfeld comfortably a few weeks ago, they know there is no such thing as an easy game in Bloemfontein, with the home side keen to cause an upset against them.
The Cheetahs also sit three points behind the Bulls on the log and if they grab a victory they can also leap-frog the Bulls into top spot, so for both sides there is plenty to play for.
The other interesting match-up this weekend is that of the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV taking on the Airlink Pumas in their backyard in Mbombela in a game the Sharks desperately need to win to stay in the hunt.
The inclusion of Springbok Trevor Nyakane in the Sharks pack will add some bulk to their chances, while JP Pietersen’s side are buoyed after going to Johannesburg last week and beating the in-form Fidelity ADT Lions side away from home.
As captain Nick Hatton put it afterwards, the confidence is back in the Sharks side and not a moment too soon as the Pumas beat them handily in Durban a few weeks back.
“The win restored confidence, we knew we were playing good rugby and were disappointed not to get over the line in two of the games and we needed an 80 minute performance; going forward we need to continue with those 80 minute performances,” Hatton said this week.
“The team is in a good space, but we have to understand that it’s just one win and we have another big challenge this weekend. We’re well-aware of what’s ahead, but we are in a good place and the guys believe.
“It’s only one win, but we’re hungry for more.”
With the likes of Junior Boks star Jurenzo Juries having a sensational debut last weekend, much is expected of the Sharks now that they’ve got their campaign on track.
DHL Western Province are looking to walk away with a full compliment of points against the Novavit Griffons on Saturday, but will be weary of the Griffons late comeback to lose to the Cheetahs 45-43 last week.
The two sides met a few weeks ago in Welkom and WP were solid winners, but it seems the Griffons may have found their rhythm since then and could give the more vaunted Province side some headaches on their home ground. All indicators point to a solid Province win though.
The final game of the weekend is a big one for Suzuki Griquas, who host a wounded Lions side on their home turf in Kimberley and desperately need a win to resurrect their Currie Cup campaign.
Pieter Bergh’s side sit in seventh position with just one victory this season and will hope their home ground advantage counts against a Lions side that will still be licking its wounds from their mauling at the hands of the Sharks last weekend.
FIXTURES
Friday
Toyota Cheetahs v Vodacom Blue Bulls (17h00)
Saturday
Airlink Pumas v Hollywoodbets Sharks XV (15h00)
DHL Western Province v Novavit Griffons (17h15)
Sunday
Suzuki Griquas v Fidelity ADT Lions (15h00)