Two rounds of rugby action left
The only local derby on the roster this weekend is in Cape Town, where the DHL Stormers can put an end to the Emirates Lions’ hopes of reaching the playoffs.
With only two rounds of action left before the top six teams in Vodacom Super Rugby start fighting it out for the grand prize, there is still a lot that happen before the final positions on the log are secured.
What we do know is that the Hurricanes and Highlanders, opponents in Napier this weekend, have already booked their places in the top six; and that none of the Rebels, Cell C Sharks, Reds, Toyota Cheetahs, Blues or Force can make the playoffs anymore.
But the DHL Stormers, Waratahs, Chiefs, Brumbies, Emirates Lions, Crusaders and Vodacom Bulls still have a lot to play for – the final four spots in the playoffs.
The Vodacom Bulls still have a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs, which means their match against the Rebels on Saturday is a must-win, preferably with a try-scoring bonus point. It would be their first win in Australia in almost three years.
The only local derby on the roster this weekend is in Cape Town, where the DHL Stormers can put an end to the Emirates Lions’ hopes of reaching the playoffs, while at the same time securing the South African Conference title for a third time.
The Emirates Lions have never beaten the DHL Stormers at DHL Newlands – in fact, they’ve only won once in twelve encounters against the Capetonians and will have to be at their very best on Saturday afternoon to keep alive their slim chance of making for the top six for the first time ever.
The final match involving a South African team is also on Saturday afternoon, when the Toyota Cheetahs will be playing under new coach Franco Smith for the first time, against the Waratahs in Bloemfontein. A fifth win over the New South Welshmen for the team from Central South Africa would have a big impact on the Australian Conference.
Rebels vs Vodacom Bulls
The Vodacom Bulls show seven changes for the Rebels match – three in the backline and four in the pack.
Jesse Kriel (fullback), Travis Ismaiel (wing) and Jacques-Louis Potgieter (flyhalf) all move into the starting line-up from the bench, replacing Jurgen Visser, Bjorn Basson and Handré Pollard respectively.
Visser and Basson will play off the bench, and will be joined by Tian Schoeman, with Pollard getting a break for this clash.
Upfront, the injured Deon Stegmann is replaced by Lappies Labuschagne at flank and Victor Matfield will start at lock.
Jacques du Plessis starts at on the other flank with Arno Botha joining Hattingh on the bench.
Adriaan Strauss will also be resting with Callie Visagie earning his 50th cap for the Vodacom Bulls in the No 2 jersey. Jaco Visagie will be on the bench.
The teams are:
Rebels: Mike Harris, Dom Shipperley, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Cam Crawford, Jack Debreczeni, Nic Stirzaker, Scott Higginbotham (captain), Colby Fainga’a, Sean McMahon, Lopeti Timani, Luke Jones, Paul Alo-Emile, Pat Leafa, Toby Smith. Replacements: Tom Sexton, Cruze Ah-Nau, Tim Metcher, Sam Jeffries, Jordy Reid, Ben Meehan, Bryce Hegarty, Tom English.
Vodacom Bulls: Jesse Kriel, Francois Hougaard, JJ Engelbrecht, Burger Odendaal, Travis Ismaiel, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Rudy Paige, Pierre Spies (captain), Jacques du Plessis, Lappies Labuschagne, Victor Matfield, Flip van der Merwe, Marcel van der Merwe, Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling. Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Trevor Nyakane, Werner Kruger, Grant Hattingh, Arno Botha, Tian Schoeman, Bjorn Basson, Jurgen Visser.
Toyota Cheetahs vs Waratahs
Franco Smith has made eight changes to his team for this match – five amongst the backs, two in the pack and one positional shift. The bulk of GWK Griquas’ players are not available because of Absa Currie Cup Qualifying commitments.
Smith has handed debuts to two players in his starting line-up – Niell Jordaan at No 8 and Niel Marais at flyhalf.
Coenie van Wyk (fullback), Rayno Benjamin (inside centre), Sarel Pretorius (scrumhalf) and BG Uys (loosehead prop) have all been promoted from the bench, with Henco Venter now amongst the replacements.
Cornal Hendricks will start at left wing, replacing Raymond Rhule (knee injury), while Tienie Burger and Boom Prinsloo will swop jerseys.
The new faces on the bench are Willie le Roux, Shaun Venter, Gerhard Olivier, Elandré Huggett and Danie Mienie.
The teams are:
Toyota Cheetahs: Coenie van Wyk, Sergeal Petersen, Francois Venter, Rayno Benjamin, Cornal Hendricks, Niel Marais, Sarel Pretorius, Niell Jordaan, Tienie Burger, Boom Prinsloo, Francois Uys (captain), Carl Wegner, Maks van Dyk, Torsten van Jaarsveld, BG Uys. Replacements: Elandré Huggett, Danie Mienie, Ewald van der Westhuizen, Steven Sykes, Gerhard Olivier, Henco Venter, Shaun Venter, Willie le Roux.
Waratahs: Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Matt Carraro, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Jacques Potgieter, David Dennis (captain), Mitchell Chapman, Sekope Kepu, Hugh Roach, Benn Robinson. Replacements (from): David Porecki, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Dean Mum, Stephen Hoiles, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Peter Betham, Jack Dempsey, Jono Lance.
DHL Stormers vs Emirates Lions
Schalk Burger, Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi have all been included in the DHL Stormers’ starting line-up, for Nizaam Carr, Vincent Koch and the injured Scarra Ntubeni respectively.
Carr and Koch shift to the bench, where they are joined by Michael Willemse and Jaco Taute, both of whom played for DHL Western Province in the Vodacom Cup Final last weekend.
The only changes to the Emirates Lions starting line-up is in the midfield, where Harold Vorster moves from inside to outside centre, with Alwyn Hollenbach coming in. Lionel Mapoe is out injured.
On the bench, Howard Mnisi replaces Stokkies Hanekom while Dillon Smit, who made his debut last weekend, retains his place as replacement scrumhalf.
The teams are:
DHL Stormers: Cheslin Kolbe, Seabelo Senatla, Juan de Jongh, Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen (captain), Siya Kolisi, Schalk Burger, Manuel Carizza, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Michael Willemse, Oli Kebble, Vincent Koch, Jean Kleyn, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Jaco Taute.
Emirates Lions: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Harold Vorster, Alwyn Hollenbach, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley (captain), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Martin Muller, Julian Redelinghuys, Armand van der Merwe, Schalk van der Merwe. Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Corne Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, Robert Kruger, Kwagga Smith, Dillon Smit, Marnitz Boshoff, Howard Mnisi.
Other fixtures (SA kick-off times):
Friday, June 5:
09:35: Hurricanes v Highlanders – Napier
13:00: Force v Brumbies – Perth
Saturday, June 6:
09:35: Blues v Crusaders – Auckland
11:40: Reds v Chiefs – Brisbane
Bye: Cell C Sharks
