Match 4 - Cheetahs vs Lions

‘IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN OUR SEASON’S RESULTS AROUND’- NKOSI

That’s the view of Sigma Lions’ mentor Mziwakhe Nkosi as his team heads to the City of Roses on Saturday to face the Toyota Cheetahs in the Carling Currie Cup.

“It doesn't get easier at all visiting the competition favorites, but that's the nature of the competition. We're expecting a motivated Cheetahs team who will look to play an expansive game on their home pitch.”

Nkosi named a strong match 23 which features the explosive centre combination of Tyler Bocks and James Mollentze. Experienced flyhalf Fred Zelinga has been tasked with spearheading the attack, as flyer Rabz Maxwane starts on the right wing against his former team. 

“We spoke extensively about implementing our plans and more importantly retaining our focus for longer periods of the game,” says Nkosi.

“Looking back at our last outing against the Sharks, we felt costly errors let us down and we know a team like the Toyota Cheetahs will pounce if given the opportunity. If we can limit those little mistakes, we believe we’ll be in with a real chance of achieving a positive result,” he added.

Teams

Toyota Cheetahs:

TBA 

Sigma Lions:

15. Tiaan Swanepoel 14. Rabz Maxwane 13. James Mollentze 12.Tyler Bocks 11. Divan Rossouw 10. Fred Zeilinga 9. Jurich Claasens 8. Jarod Cairns 7. Emmanuel Tshituka 6. Sibusiso Sangweni 5. Simon Dinisio 4. Lunga Ncube 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye (c) 2. PJ Botha 1. JP Smith

Replacements

16. Dameon Venter 17. Banele Mthenjane 18. Chergin Fillies 19. Izan Esterhuizen 20. MJ Pelser 21. Ginter Smuts 22. James Tedder 23. Luke Rossouw

Kick-off is at 17:00

Leopards U20 vs Lions U20- SA Rugby U20 Cup

In the earlier fixture on Saturday, the Lions U20 make the trip to Potchefstroom to face Leopards U20 for their second match of the SA Rugby U20 Cup.

Nkosi says traveling to Potchefstroom is never easy and has encouraged his young team to show adaptability and remain within the confines of the team’s strategy.

“The Leopards are a tricky team, particularly at home,” warns Nkosi.

“The aim is not to offer them opportunities because we know once their tails are up, they could be a difficult outfit to put away,” he concluded.

Teams

Leopards U20

TBA

Lions u20:

15. Sam Francis 14. Josh Herold 13. Josh Jonas 12. Bronson Mills 11. Keagan Smith 10. Sihlalo Benge 9. Nico Steyn (vc) 8. Sisonke Vumazonke 7. Tiaan Wessels 6. Joshua van Vreden ( c) 5. Henk Gouws 4. Justin Kalamer 3. John Kelly Okonkwo 2. Ricardo Fourie 1. Heiko Pohlmann

Replacements

16. Sikholise Nanto 17. SJ Kotze 18. RF Schoeman 19. Armin Weideman 20. Nathan Lainis 21. Layton Horn 22. Lungelo Sithole 23. Divan Moss 24. Dan Botha 25. Tyler van Wijk 26. Ndinovuyo Holiday

Kick-off is at 11:00