2020 Super Rugby Unlocked / Currie Cup

[Sandstorm]

Yet you expect the Springbokke to play against the All Blacks without any matches.

Have I missed something....did the Wallabies and Pumas play internationals in the build up to the RC...?

Aussies played a 10 week championship and are fit and battle hardened.

Argies have played nothing and will be dead by 60th minute. Plus the new breakdown laws will cost them a penalty per minute. It will be a massacre.

But hey they’re so, so brave!

[Chilli]

Yet you expect the Springbokke to play against the All Blacks without any matches.

Have I missed something....did the Wallabies and Pumas play internationals in the build up to the RC...?

Aussies played a 10 week championship and are fit and battle hardened.

Argies have played nothing and will be dead by 60th minute. Plus the new breakdown laws will cost them a penalty per minute. It will be a massacre.

But hey they’re so, so brave!

So Brave!

[handyman]

[Sards]

They have got big cajones..........and braai better than we ever could........next level stuff , as I am finding out.
Our culture as the big , brave boer is long past.....our big brave boers have all vokked off overseas to make their money....

[Sards]

Argies have played nothing and will be dead by 60th minute. Plus the new breakdown laws will cost them a penalty per minute. It will be a massacre.

But hey they’re so, so brave!

A woman just has no comprehension of pride and balls..........

In a few years time we will come back to this.....I am always right.....

Just let it go now honey

[Sandstorm]

They have got big cajones..........and braai better than we ever could........next level stuff , as I am finding out.
Our culture as the big , brave boer is long past.....our big brave boers have all vokked off overseas to make their money....

In the history of Bok Pro Rugby, if you want success you generally put a soutie in charge. Big brave Boers just cock it up.

[TheNatalShark]

FFS Chilli are you a Bulls fan or a Cheetahs fan? Can't have it both ways.

I am a Cheetahs supporter. When they were unfairly excluded from Super Rugby, I needed a team to support. I chose the Bulls because of the quality of their supporters.

Now the Cheetahs are back, I support them.

Nose piercings and painted beer bop type of guy?

[Chilli]

[Sards]

Cell C Sharks

Ox Nche
Dan Jooste
John-Hubert Meyer
JJ van der Mescht
Hyron Andrews
Dylan Richardson
Henco Venter (c)
Phepsi Buthelezi
Sanele Nohamba
Curwin Bosch
Madosh Tambwe
Marius Louw
Jeremy Ward
Yaw Penxe
Manie Libbok


Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuuren
17. Mzamo Majola
18. Michael Kumbirai
19. Ruben van Heerden
20. Thembelani Bholi
21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
22. Grant Williams
23. Werner Kok

Werner back...on the bench...
Notsche back on the bench....


Team pretty much unchanged for the Cheetahs

Am also out....with hand injury after rubbing one out all over handyman's face for being a prick and suggesting the Sharks against the Bulls were so bad that the Stormers would never be worse....

only 2 backs on the bench.....

But Sanele can play 10...Werner basically anywhere on the field bar 10.

[Chilli]

Cell C Sharks

Ox Nche
Dan Jooste
John-Hubert Meyer
JJ van der Mescht
Hyron Andrews
Dylan Richardson
Henco Venter (c)
Phepsi Buthelezi
Sanele Nohamba
Curwin Bosch
Madosh Tambwe
Marius Louw
Jeremy Ward
Yaw Penxe
Manie Libbok


Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuuren
17. Mzamo Majola
18. Michael Kumbirai
19. Ruben van Heerden
20. Thembelani Bholi
21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
22. Grant Williams
23. Werner Kok

Werner back...on the bench...
Notsche back on the bench....


Team pretty much unchanged for the Cheetahs

Am also out....with hand injury after rubbing one out all over handyman's face for being a prick and suggesting the Sharks against the Bulls were so bad that the Stormers would never be worse....

only 2 backs on the bench.....

But Sanele can play 10...Werner basically anywhere on the field bar 10.

A couple of Boks in that 2020 Super Rugby Champions * team.

[Sards]

A couple of Boks in that 2020 Super Rugby Champions * team.

Obviously expecting a huge battle up front with a team loaded with forwards.....still exciting to see the Sharks putting their team through so early in the week.

[Sards]

Cheetahs –
15 Clayton Blommetjies,
14 Malcolm Jaer,
13 William Small-Smith,
12 Frans Steyn,
11 Rosko Specman,
10 Tian Schoeman,
9 Tian Meyer,
8 Aidon Davis,
7 Junior Pokomela (c),
6 Andisa Ntsila,
5 JP du Preez,
4 Carl Wegner,
3 Luan de Bruin,
2 Reinach Venter,
1 Charles Marais.
Subs: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Oupa Mohoje, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Chris Smit.

[Sards]

Stormers will release the team once Dobson makes a decision re Kade and Willemse

“We took a policy – it’s not unreasonable and it’s pretty widespread across the game – that you give the guys almost three games,” Dobson said about possible personnel changes.

You know it’s hard to judge somebody on one game,” he said, adding: “That becomes a knee jerk reaction.

“I think after three games you have a reasonable sample size.


“That is something we have got to look at.”

Probably the biggest poser is at flyhalf, where Springbok World Cup winner Damian Willemse is having a nightmare season.

His horror show started in the pre-season Springbok trial at Newlands early last month, when veteran Elton Jantjies (playing for the Green team) showed him up.

The knock his confidence took flowed over to the domestic competition.


Willemse started for the Stormers in their fortuitous 23-17 win over the Lions. He missed the trip to Nelspruit through injury – where Tim Swiel (who was on the bench at Newlands) started in the 42-37 come-from-behind win over the Pumas.

(Continue below … )

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This past weekend Willemse was back in the No.10 jersey, with Swiel on the bench, and the Stormers Bok again got schooled by a veteran, Morné Steyn.

Given that neither Willemse nor Swiel has managed to stamp their authority on the game, Dobson may well be tempted to look elsewhere.

While Dobson was cautious not to reveal too much, he may well have to look at teenage sensation Kade Wolhuter

Dobson

[handyman]

WP just keep on churning out these talented youngsters. We should be getting royalties from the other unions buying all our stock.

[Chilli]

WP just keep on churning out these talented youngsters. We should be getting royalties from the other unions buying all our stock.

What is your impression of the current Stormers 12? Would you drop him for Wazza, and play Quade at 10?

[handyman]

WP just keep on churning out these talented youngsters. We should be getting royalties from the other unions buying all our stock.

What is your impression of the current Stormers 12? Would you drop him for Wazza, and play Quade at 10?

I'm not up to speed with all the nicknames, but I would send Willemse to play club rugby or for a club in England or France. If that is not an option, play him at 15 until his confidence is back. Almost like the saarks when they babied Pat Lambie. I'll give Swiel a few games and if he's not up to it, then Wolhuter. Keep the Du Plessis/Pretorius center pairing, they will be lethal.

[Sards]

WP just keep on churning out these talented youngsters. We should be getting royalties from the other unions buying all our stock.

What is your impression of the current Stormers 12? Would you drop him for Wazza, and play Quade at 10?

I'm not up to speed with all the nicknames, but I would send Willemse to play club rugby or for a club in England or France. If that is not an option, play him at 15 until his confidence is back. Almost like the saarks when they babied Pat Lambie. I'll give Swiel a few games and if he's not up to it, then Wolhuter. Keep the Du Plessis/Pretorius center pairing, they will be lethal.

I like Pretorius. Big lad. Best thing in your backline currently

[Chilli]

Let's do something good for charity.
I will donate R5 towards the Jan Burger / Petro Jackson fund for every minute that Jeremy Ward plays until he gets a card. No money for while or after he is in the bin, and R10 for every point that is scored against the 2020 Super Rugby Champions * while he is in the bin.

Anyone up to meet this?

[OomStruisbaai]

Cheetahs poached Jacques Rudolph from Pumas and both locks from Griquas.

Rudolph is in excellent form.

[Sards]

Stormers –
15 Warrick Gelant,
14 Edwill van der Merwe,
13 Dan du Plessis,
12 Rikus Pretorius,
11 Angelo Davids,
10 Damian Willemse,
9 Paul de Wet,
8 Juarno Augustus,
7 Ernst van Rhyn,
6 Marcel Theunissen,
5 JD Schickerling,
4 David Meihuizen,
3 Neethling Fouche,
2 Bongi Mbonambi,
1 Steven Kitshoff (c).

Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Sazi Sandi, 20 Salmaan Moerat, 21 Chris van Zyl, 22 Ben-Jason Dixon, 23 Godlen Masimla, 24 Tim Swiel, 25 Michal Hazner, 26 Ruhan Nel.

[Chilli]

Stormers –
15 Warrick Gelant,
14 Edwill van der Merwe,
13 Dan du Plessis,
12 Rikus Pretorius,
11 Angelo Davids,
10 Damian Willemse,
9 Paul de Wet,
8 Juarno Augustus,
7 Ernst van Rhyn,
6 Marcel Theunissen,
5 JD Schickerling,
4 David Meihuizen,
3 Neethling Fouche,
2 Bongi Mbonambi,
1 Steven Kitshoff (c).

Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Sazi Sandi, 20 Salmaan Moerat, 21 Chris van Zyl, 22 Ben-Jason Dixon, 23 Godlen Masimla, 24 Tim Swiel, 25 Michal Hazner, 26 Ruhan Nel.

50 points stronger than the Griquas.

[Sards]

Stormers –
15 Warrick Gelant,
14 Edwill van der Merwe,
13 Dan du Plessis,
12 Rikus Pretorius,
11 Angelo Davids,
10 Damian Willemse,
9 Paul de Wet,
8 Juarno Augustus,
7 Ernst van Rhyn,
6 Marcel Theunissen,
5 JD Schickerling,
4 David Meihuizen,
3 Neethling Fouche,
2 Bongi Mbonambi,
1 Steven Kitshoff (c).

Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Sazi Sandi, 20 Salmaan Moerat, 21 Chris van Zyl, 22 Ben-Jason Dixon, 23 Godlen Masimla, 24 Tim Swiel, 25 Michal Hazner, 26 Ruhan Nel.

50 points stronger than the Griquas.

They will smoke Griquas. 50 points is about right.
The greatest team in Africa will do to Griquas what the Bulls couldn't

[Sards]

Tafel Lager Griquas: 
15 James Verity-Amm,
14 Ederies Arendse,
13 Eduan Keyter,
12 Johnathan Francke,
11 Bjorn Basson,
10 Tinus de Beer,
9 Zak Burger (captain),
8 Carl Els,
7 Stefan Willemse,
6 Gideon van der Merwe,
5 Adré Smith,
4 Mzwanele Zito,
3 Ewald van der Westhuizen,
2 Hendrik Luus,
1 Mox Mxoli. 

Replacements (from): Monde Hadebe, Andrew Beerwinkel, Madot Mabokela, Johan Momsen, Ewan Coetzee, Theo Maree, George Whitehead, Harlon Klaasen, Bandisa Ndlovu, Cameron Lindsay, Dan Kasende

[Sards]

Tafel Lager Griquas: 
15 James Verity-Amm,
14 Ederies Arendse,
13 Eduan Keyter,
12 Johnathan Francke,
11 Bjorn Basson,
10 Tinus de Beer,
9 Zak Burger (captain),
8 Carl Els,
7 Stefan Willemse,
6 Gideon van der Merwe,
5 Adré Smith,
4 Mzwanele Zito,
3 Ewald van der Westhuizen,
2 Hendrik Luus,
1 Mox Mxoli. 

Replacements (from): Monde Hadebe, Andrew Beerwinkel, Madot Mabokela, Johan Momsen, Ewan Coetzee, Theo Maree, George Whitehead, Harlon Klaasen, Bandisa Ndlovu, Cameron Lindsay, Dan Kasende

No name brands
Cannon fodder.

[Sards]

Vodacom Bulls: 
15 David Kriel,
14 Travis Ismaiel,
13 Stedman Gans,
12 Cornal Hendricks,
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse,
10 Morné Steyn,
9 Ivan van Zyl,
8 Duane Vermeulen (captain),
7 Elrigh Louw,
6 Marco van Staden,
5 Walt Steenkamp,
4 Jason Jenkins,
3 Trevor Nyakane,
2 Johan Grobbelaar,
1 Jacques van Rooyen. 

Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren

[Sards]

Vodacom Bulls: 
15 David Kriel,
14 Travis Ismaiel,
13 Stedman Gans,
12 Cornal Hendricks,
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse,
10 Morné Steyn,
9 Ivan van Zyl,
8 Duane Vermeulen (captain),
7 Elrigh Louw,
6 Marco van Staden,
5 Walt Steenkamp,
4 Jason Jenkins,
3 Trevor Nyakane,
2 Johan Grobbelaar,
1 Jacques van Rooyen. 

Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren

It's fascinating going through the Bulls side. So many players literally past their supposed prime suddenly looking like they could still be Springboks. Hell, I would love to see this lot playing in the RC....I think they would do better than one would think.
I wouldn't even add anyone else from the other Unions.....thats the power of JWs coaching...vok...even let JW be the coach

[Sards]

Emirates Lions vs Vodacom Bulls: 
Gianni Lombard;
Stean Pienaar,
Wandisile Simelane,
Burger Odendaal,
Courtnall Skosan;
Elton Jantjies (captain),
Morné van den Berg;
Len Massyn,
Vincent Tshituka,
MJ Pelser,
Marvin Orie,
Ruben Schoeman,
Carlu Sadie,
Jaco Visagie,
Sti Sithole. 

Reserves: PJ Botha, Nathan McBeth, Ruan Dreyer, Reinhard Nothnagel, Marnus Schoeman, Ross Cronjé, Dan Kriel, Tiaan Swanepoel.

[Sards]

Emirates Lions vs Vodacom Bulls: 
Gianni Lombard;
Stean Pienaar,
Wandisile Simelane,
Burger Odendaal,
Courtnall Skosan;
Elton Jantjies (captain),
Morné van den Berg;
Len Massyn,
Vincent Tshituka,
MJ Pelser,
Marvin Orie,
Ruben Schoeman,
Carlu Sadie,
Jaco Visagie,
Sti Sithole. 

Reserves: PJ Botha, Nathan McBeth, Ruan Dreyer, Reinhard Nothnagel, Marnus Schoeman, Ross Cronjé, Dan Kriel, Tiaan Swanepoel.

Jens really left us hanging here...only players I recognize are Jantjies and Marvin .
Seriously...great to see Odendaal back. He is such an underrated player.

I really don't know. In the last few years the Loins have looked like busy fools. Can't see them beating the Bulls....but don't bet on that. I want to see more from the Bulls of the same.

[Chilli]

All 3 games this weekend should be good.
2020 Super Rugby Champions * vs The VRYSTAAT should be the closest.

[Sards]

All 3 games this weekend should be good.
2020 Super Rugby Champions * vs The VRYSTAAT should be the closest.

Bulls vs Lions match of the round for me

[Chilli]

All 3 games this weekend should be good.
2020 Super Rugby Champions * vs The VRYSTAAT should be the closest.

Bulls vs Lions match of the round for me

Bulls should win reasonably easily.

[‘tsek]

Long day at the office for the plucky underdogs, unless they can run the Bulls pack off their feet and find parity in the set pieces. Bulls by 10.

[handyman]

Looking forward to tonight's game. As the neutral, tough for me to choose a team to support, but I'll go with the Cheetahs as they were kicked out of the PRO whatever to accommodate the saarkies.

[assfly]

Yes it should be a good game. I like Friday evening games; a win sets you up for a great weekend, and a loss can be swiftly forgotten like it never happened come Saturday morning.

Cheetahs will be a bit rusty, and certainly not the same team without Pienaar at 9. But it's also not a vintage Sharks side with none of our World Cup winning Boks. Hard to call.

Good to see Mohoje back for the Cheetahs. He had some good games for the Boks but then went of the radar completely.

[Sards]

Tough...Cheetahs are a good side...one of the 4 decent sides in thee comp this year...its a battle of the top 4.......Bulls vs Lions and Sharks vs Cheetahs...anyones game

[Sards]

So Frans Steyn out with injury for the Cheetahs and Cameron Wright returns to the Sharks bench

[Chilli]

So Frans Steyn out with injury for the Cheetahs and Cameron Wright returns to the Sharks bench

Sharks by 30

[OomStruisbaai]

V. R. Y. S. T. A. A. T

[‘tsek]

Come on the states!

[ASMO]