This weekend’s clash between the Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks may just get the heavyweight title it deserves as neither side can afford to lose the Loftus Versfeld derby.
Sharks coach JP Pietersen was forced to exclude a host of Springboks from his team to face the Lions last weekend, and was soundly beaten. But all indications are that the Sharks will have the likes of Ox Nche, Andre Esterhuizen, Siya Kolisi, Ethan Hooker and Grant Williams all expected to return to the side this weekend ahead of the fixture.
The prospect of that spurred the Bulls on to use a number of their frontline players in their Friday friendly against Boland Kavaliers, and while they won comfortably in the end, the hard running Kavaliers led 17-7 at halftime and gave the Bulls a lot of problems, especially on defence as they faded in the end.
There were a few highlights for the Bulls from the game - none the least the fact that it seemed there were no injuries - confirmation still to be given by the medical team, and there was a positive return that Jan Serfontein and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg both got through the game with no injuries.
Their return seems destined for this week, as does Elrigh Louw, who should be back from honeymoon and the enforced Springbok resting periods of players such as Wilco Louw, Handre Pollard and others will be a thing of the past.
There were glimpses on attack that showed just the value of Bok centurion Willie le Roux, who set up at least two tries, while Canan Moodie looked good. The forwards at times struggled with the pace but it was good to see the likes of Cobus Wiese, JF van Heerden and others shake off the rust from their absence.
As it currently stands, there is no final decision on whether Cameron Hanekom will be back this week, but it is understandable that with a serious hamstring injury that he had, that the Bulls are taking every precaution to make sure he is 100 per cent ready to return to the field.
They are also likely to be without Akker van der Merwe, whose neck spasms may require more than just rest and may see him out for another few weeks.
One more injury that requires clarity is that of Springbok loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp, who had surgery on a broken thumb but should almost be ready to return to the field. If Steenekamp is available, a Bok front row with Wilco Louw and Johan Grobbelaar, as well as Jan-Hendrik Wessels will give the Bulls some punch up front.
Either way this game looks set to be a blockbuster, especially as the Bulls now are on the back of three straight away wins, and will want to take that momentum forward to ensure they can entrench themselves in the top eight of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
The Bulls currently are on the cusp on 25 points in eighth spot, but with a game in hand on the Sharks, who are a point behind them on 24 points. It goes without saying that the points from this game will be crucial to both sides' aspirations of not only finishing in the top eight but having a run in the playoff rounds.
Another positive from the Boland outing was the interplay in the second half, the brace of tries to Cheswill Jooste, who looked very at home on the wing and the introduction of Ruben Groenewald, the ex-Affies and SA Schools flyhalf who played most of the second half for the side.
Demetri Erasmus, the 20-year old winger who was also a member of the victorious Junior Boks’ team in Italy last year, scored a try and looked dangerous throughout.
However, these youngsters are likely to feature more in the Currie Cup as they continue their development with only Jooste from the trio likely to be in match day 23 against the Sharks.