Currie Cup Bulletin #3

Carling Currie Cup action resumes on Wednesday after a break of two weeks with three back-to-back clashes in Kimberley, Pretoria and Durban, as the standings start to take shape.

The action starts Tafel Lager Griquas host the Airlink Pumas (15h30) in Kimberley, the Toyota Cheetahs travel north to face the Vodacom Bulls (17h45) in Pretoria, and the last match is between the Cell C Sharks and DHL Western Province (20h00) in Durban.

The Sigma Lions have a bye, and all three matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

In the opening two rounds of action, the Vodacom Bulls surged to the top of the Carling Currie Cup standings with a big win in Cape Town, while the Airlink Pumas and Cell C Sharks registered their first log points of the new season.

Tafel Lager Griquas will miss their experienced halfback pair of scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and flyhalf George Whitehead for their home clash against the Airlink Pumas. Their replacements, Theo Boshoff and Raegan Oranje, are two of four changes made to the side, mainly due to injury. This will be the first home outing for the Kimberley outfit after playing two away games.

Meanwhile, the Airlink Pumas have announced just one tweak from the team that dismantled the Sigma Lions in their previous outing two weeks ago. Jade Stighling was handed the No 11 jersey in a rotational switch with Lundi Msenge. Matches between these two sides are usually close-fought affairs, with the teams playing to a 13-13 draw and a four-point win for the Lowvelders in their 2021 fixtures.

The Vodacom Bulls, who are aiming for a third successive title, will play their first home match of the season following two bonus-point wins on the road when they entertain the Toyota Cheetahs.

Vodacom Bulls Carling Currie Cup head coach, Gert Smal, has selected a team with a balance of youth and experience which will see the centre pairing of Cornal Hendricks and Stedman Gans in the backline, while Stravino Jacobs makes a return to the starting XV at wing.

Springbok flyer Rosko Specman is back in the Toyota Cheetahs’ starting team, with his inclusion increasing the number of Springboks in the Free Staters' backline to three, alongside skipper Ruan Pienaar (No 9) and Frans Steyn (No 12).

For their coastal derby, inside centre Marius Louw will lead a relatively experienced Cell C Sharks side brimming with talent, and bolstered by the inclusion of No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe who makes a welcome return to action after an eighth-month injury lay-off.

Meanwhile, flyhalf Tim Swiel will captain DHL WP in their first away encounter in Durban. Swiel partners with experienced scrumhalf Godlen Masimla, with Mnombo Zwelendaba starting at outside centre, while there is an all-new back three with Sergeal Petersen at fullback and Leolin Zas and Andre Manuel on the wings.

Match information:

Tafel Lager Griquas vs Airlink Pumas

Date: Wednesday, 2 February

Venue: Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley

Kick-off: 15h30

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron

TV: SuperSport

Vodacom Bulls vs Toyota Cheetahs

Date: Wednesday, 2 February

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 17h45

Referee: Paul Mente

TV: SuperSport

Cell C Sharks vs DHL Western Province

Date: Wednesday, 2 February

Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 20h00

Referee: Griffin Colby

TV: SuperSport