2011 Currie Cup Opener Lions Vs Pumas - Match Preview
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) domestic competition, the 2011 ABSA Currie Cup, will kick start on Friday, July 15 as the MTN Golden Lions and the Ford Pumas are scheduled to lock horns in the Currie Cup opener at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg.
The last time both teams met on October 8, 2010, the Ford Pumas upset the Lions 34-27 in Johannesburg.
Pumas' head coach, Jimmy Stonehouse, has included several of the Springboks Sevens players in the squad for their Friday clash against the Lions. This line up has the likes of fullbacks MJ Mentz and Blitzbokke and centres duo of JW Jonker and Pieter Engelbrecht.
Jimmy Stonehouse further added, “We’re excited by our backline this year. In 2010, we didn’t have too much experience at the back, but this year it’s different. Our set phases have always been good and I’m excited to see how this backline goes”
Pumas scrum half, Shaun Venter, is also a former Sevens player. In addition to this, four players will make their debut for the Pumas including Engelbrecht, Jonker, Deon Scholtz and Pellow van der Westhuizen.
On the other hand, the Lions will be looking forward to carry their late 2011 Super Rugby surge into the Currie Cup. Lions head coach, John Mitchell, has named an almost identical side that delivered some exceptional results in the a few matches of the 2011
Super Rugby competition.
However, Lions will be without the services of their first choice fly halves Butch James and Elton Jantjies, who are currently in the Springboks 2011 Tri Nations training camp. Burton Francis will start as the fly half in Friday’s match.
In other changes, Mitchell has moved Dylan des Fountain from centre to the winger position in place of their injured winger Deon van Rensburg. Alwyn Hollenbach will start the match as the centre in place of Dylan des Fountain.
Additionally, Lions will be without their injured duo of Waylon Murray and stalwart JC Janse van Rensburg.
All in all a crunch game of rugby is in on the cards but following their recent success, Lions will have a slight advantages over the visitors, particularly as they are playing in their own home ground.
The Lions squad for the Friday’s game includes:
Starting XV: Jaco Taute, Dylan des Fountain, Alwyn Hollenbach, Doppies la Grange (captain), Lionel Mapoe, Burton Francis, Jano Vermaak, Joshua Strauss, Derick Minnie, Franco van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden, Jacobie Adriaanse, Bandise Maku,
Pat Cilliers.
Replacements: Martin Bezuidenhout, Caylib Oosthuizen, Johan Snyman, Dries van Schalkwyk, Michael Bondesio, Hein Cronje, Michael Killian.
The Cheetahs squad for their Friday clash includes,
Starting XV: MJ Mentz, Deon Scholtz, JW Jonker, Pieter Engelbrecht, Ashwin Scott, Ricardo Croy, Shaun Venter, Doppies le Roux, Jaco Bouwer, Corne Steenkamp (cpt), Marius Coetzer, Rudi Mathee, Ashley Buys, Pellow van der Westhuizen, Dawie
Steyn.
Replacements: Torsten van Jaarsveld, Brett Nel, Boela Serfontein, RW Kember, Tian Meyer, Tiaan Marx, Carl Bezuidenhout.
Tags: