Weekend predictions

A proper Saturday of rugby with a mix of International and Currie Cup. So will the Boks be able to rid themselves of the Brisbane hoodoo?  All the teams, refs, times and Tank Lanning predictions.

Just when you thought it was safe to put the monstrosity that is Super Rugby behind you … BAM – A Saturday that is crammed with 11 and a half hours of wall to wall rugby. 09h30 sees the All Blacks kick off, and the final whistle of the WP game will be blown at around 21h00. Good luck in trying to just watch all of it, let alone amass enough pink tickets to attempt the sit in!

Kiwis on a gym bike, Boks at full attention with a coffee and tuna salad, Griquas with a shandy and the fire burning down, Bulls with a real beer and a few boerrie rolls, WP post rump steak with brandy in hand and the feet on the coolerbox? Just saying …

Saturday 07 September

09:35 New Zealand vs Argentina, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), James Leckie (Australia)

Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Faced with taking on the number one team in the world, in their backyard, with a fit again Dan Carter, Argentina really are up against it this weekend. Especially given that they took seventy from the Boks away from home. Their fiery and committed performance against the Boks in Mendoza 2 weeks ago, though, will have given them a great deal of confidence, and it will be that type of gameplan that they will be wanting to use this weekend. The Pumas were relentless at the breakdown, and didn’t allow the Boks to generate the quick ball they were looking for. They welcome back Lobbe and Leguizemon, but they will have to do a lot more than they did in Mendoza to upset the Kiwis, who enjoy a 15 out of 16 record against the visitors. There has been just the single draw between the two. The All Blacks pride themselves on the basics and in particular the breakdown; a facet of their game that has helped lay the groundwork for their superior attacking game. Expect a black rampage in Hamilton!

My prediction: All Blacks by 24

New Zealand: 15-Israel Dagg, 14-Ben Smith, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Francis Saili, 11-Julian Savea, 10-Daniel Carter, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Kieran Read, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-Steven Luatua, 5-Sam Whitelock, 4-Brodie Retallick, 3-Charlie Faumuina, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Tony Woodcock

Bench: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Ben Franks, 19-Jeremy Thrush, 20-Sam Cane, 21-Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Charles Piutau

Argentina: 15 Juan Martín Hernández, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 7 Pablo Matera, 6 Juan Martin Fernandez lobbe (c), 5 Julio Farias Cabello, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guiñazú, 1 Marcos Ayerza.

Bench: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Nahuel Lobo, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Mariano Galarza, 20 Benjamin Macome, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Felipe Contepomi.

 

12:05 Australia vs South Africa, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

The Boks last played in Brisbane in 2010 and were hammered 30-13. In 2006, the Boks were left scoreless in 49-0 defeat. They went down 29-9 in 2003. The Boks haven’t won in Brisbane since 1971! And with Zane Kirchner back at fullback, and the more attack minded Willie Le Roux shifted to the wing, together with the return of Bismarck du Plessis and Flip van der Merwe, it does not take a genius to predict the Bok gameplan on Saturday. Kirchner will play conservatively, whilst remaining solid under any high ball that the likes of Quade Cooper or Will Genia put into the Brisbane skyline. It is back to brutal basics for the Boks. They will target a weak Australian tight five and try and limit the opportunities for the likes of Cooper, James O’Conner and Isreal Folau to get into the game. Get a kick wrong though, and Folau will pounce. The selection of Cooper is a biggie. Crack him, and the Boks have a chance. Fail, and it is going to be a long afternoon. The loss of skipper James Horwill to injury during the week plays right into the Bok gameplan, but given the destination bogey, and the potency the Wallaby backs possess, it looks like the Aussies might knick this one at home.

My prediction: Australia by 4

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Adam-Ashley Cooper, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 James O’Connor, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (c), 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper.

Bench: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Jake Schatz, 21 Nic White, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Jesse Mogg.

South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Bench: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Juandré Kruger, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein.

 

15:00 Griquas vs Golden Lions, GWK Park, Kimberley

Referee: Jason Jaftha

Assistant referees: Tiaan Jonker, Nico Schmahl

Television match official: Johan Greeff

The Lions have played some brilliant rugby this year and they continue to play with ambition and dedication, as they proved in their bounce back against WP last week. Elton Jantjies is stepping into attacking form, playing flat and in the face of the opposition, allowing the ball carrying forwards to gain crucial momentum in the tackle. Griquas on the other hand, were on the wrong end of a Cheetahs rampage on Saturday, but despite this, have showed a great deal of promise. They were unlucky to lose against WP at home, and gave the table topping Sharks a shock in week 1, but will be up against it having lost both Hilton Lobberts (to injury) and Rory Arnold (to suspension). As a small province, a lack of depth is their greatest enemy. A tough one to call with the Griquas at home, and given that in this fixture last year, the home side ran away with it 37-21! But to me it is looking Lion like this year. Awesome to see Kriel starting. Hy is n yster!

My prediction: Lions by 7

Griquas: 15 PJ Vermeulen, 14 Richard Lawson, 13 Jean Stemmet, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Carel Greeff, 7 Burger Schoeman, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Victor Kruger, 4 Patrick O’Brien, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Steph Roberts

Bench: 16 Matthew Dobson, 17 Brummer Badenhorst, 18 Dalton Davis, 19 RJ Liebenberg, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Du Randt Gerber, 22 JP Nel

Lions: 15 Marnitz Boshoff, 14 Andries Coetzee, 13 Robert de Bruyn, 12 Dylan Des Fountain, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Derick Minnie (captain), 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen

Bench: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 JJ Breet, 19 Warwick Tecklenberg, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Deon Helberg, 22 Ruhan Nel

 

17:05 Blue Bulls vs Free State, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Referee: Stuart Berry

Assistant referees: Marius Jonker, Cobus Wessels

Television match official: Tappe Henning

Marcel van der Merwe vs Rossouw de Klerk! Need I say more? Get thee to a TV and coolerbox! The young Bulls continue to struggle in this year’s Currie Cup, with just the one win against Griquas in round two. The fact that their loss to the Sharks by 34 points to 18 last week was an improvement on their hammering by the Lions at their Loftus fortress two weeks ago, must be a massive worry for coach Pine Pienaar. There is no lack of talent in the Bulls outfit, though, and they look damn good at times. The Cheetahs have scored some top tries this year, most notably against Griquas last week, with Sias Ebersohn and Johan Sadie causing havoc in the centres, using their straightening of the line, agility and offloading skills to complement each other’s support play. It’ll be more of the same for the Bulls this weekend one feels! However, beware of the wounded Bull! They will be reminding themselves of a 34-30 victory they had against the Cheetahs at Loftus in 2012.

My prediction: Cheetahs by 5

Blue Bulls: 15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Akona Ndungane, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Snyman, 8 Jono Ross (captain), 7 Jacques Engelbrecht, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Marcel van der Merwe

Bench: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Jacques du Plessis, 20 Rudy Paige, 21 Ulrich Beyers, 22 Clayton Blommetjies/Tiaan Schoeman

Free State: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Riaan Smit, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Boom Prinsloo (captain), 5 Lodewyk De Jager, 4 Teboho Mohoje, 3 Rossouw De Klerk, 2 Hercu Liebenberg, 1 Trevor Nyakane

Bench: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Wian Du Preez, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Kevin Luiters, 21 Willie Du Plessis, 22 Piet Lindeque

 

19:10 Western Province vs Sharks, Newlands, Cape Town

Referee: Craig Joubert

Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Marc van Zyl

Television match official: Deon van Blommestein

A big call from Allister Coetzee to drop one of last week’s top players, Nic Groom! But it is back to Newlands after a couple of weeks on the road for WP, who will be frustrated at last week’s draw against the Lions – having enjoyed such a convincing lead early on. Sure the TMO try played it’s part, but replacing Groom also seemed to influence the team and game. They face a real test against the Sharks, who arrive in the Cape looking to build on their impressive 3 from 4 wins. And also no doubt still smarting from their loss to WP at The Shark Tank in last year’s Currie Cup final. The Sharks haven’t lost at Newlands in the Currie Cup since 2010 – An impressive record against a side that is renowned for winning at home. Interesting to see that the Sharks have selected the ultra experienced Butch James to run the show from flyhalf, and his battle with Kurt Coleman will go a long way to deciding the match. Do not expect this to be pretty. Brutal up front, and lots of kicking. Province will be desperate for a win as they look to nullify their frustration at being the only unbeaten team in the competition, yet only in third position on the log. This is a tough one to call!

My prediction: Sharks by 5

Western Province: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Louis Schreuder 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Bench: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Gerbrandt Grobler, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Michael van der Spuy

Sharks: 15. SP Marais, 14. Sizo Maseko, 13. Louis Ludik, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Butch James, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Jacques Botes (captain), 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Marco Wentzel, 4. Peet Marais, 3. Rayno Gerber, 2. Craig Burden, 1. Danie Mienie

Bench: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Edwin Hewitt, 19. Justin Downey, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Fred Zeilinga, 22. Jaco van Tonder