NPR

In what has been an extremely long-awaited return for the game, South Africa will host their very first rugby game: Super Fan Saturday, since the sport was postponed back in March 2020. While this year may have been challenging times for the majority of the world, a doubleheader action-packed Saturday will bring something to look forward to locally. and keep every South African rugby fan at the edge of their seats.

One of the nation’s most iconic rugby venues, Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, will host four of South Africa’s biggest rugby teams; the Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Lions, DHL Stormers and Cell C Sharks for South Africa’s Super Fan Saturday.


The first fixture for the return of rugby will see the Vodacom Bulls play against the Cell C Sharks; whereas, the second fixture of the day will be contested between the Emirates Lions and the DHL Stormers. All games will be broadcasted live, with every rugby fan eager to witness how their heroes will contest on Super Fan Saturday.

With the Marvel-themed rugby teams set to entertain on the rugby field, Super Fan Saturday will feature Captain America – The Bulls, Spiderman – The Lions, Thor – The Stormers and Black Panther – The Sharks. So, will you be supporting your favourite rugby team or Super Hero this Super Fan Saturday?

Team News:
All of the top four South African franchises have vast experience, with every side having national players in their respective squads.



The Bulls are renowned for being the most successful South African Super Rugby side overall; having won the tournament 3 times in previous years. The current squad will have the likes of Springbok No. 8, Duane Vermuelen, this coming Saturday. The Springbok anchor behind the scrum and being capped 54 times for the national side, comes as an asset for any rugby team in this world. Will the experience of Duane Vermuelen rally his troops to victory over The Sharks?

The Lions – who have been one of the unluckiest South African sides in previous seasons – also pose a huge threat for the return of rugby in South Africa. The recently three-time Super Rugby runners-up play an expansive and exciting game of rugby, which inspires many running rugby enthusiasts in the world. With their elusive attack led by their captain Elton Jantjies, plenty of excitement awaits before their game against The Stormers. Can Elton slice through The Stormers defence this weekend at Super Fan Saturday?

The Stormers, one of South Africa’s fan favourite sides will be seeking a fine-tune at Super Fan Saturday. The side has plenty of players who played in that Rugby World Cup Final in Japan 2019; major players such as Captain Siya Kolisi and 2019 World Rugby player of the year, Pieter-Steph Du Toit. Will the powerful forward pack of The Stormers be too much for the Lions this weekend?

Last but not least; The Sharks. Many Sharks supporters feel that the Super Rugby 2020 being called off was a huge loss emotionally, as The Sharks were in great form before the tournament became non-void. Under the leadership of Lukhanyo Am, The Sharks lead the Super Rugby standings and believed that 2020 would’ve been the season where they would have lifted the coveted trophy. The Sharks players are extremely eager and will be looking to make a huge statement this Super Fan Saturday. Will The Sharks’ previous 2020 form be enough to defeat The Bulls this Saturday?

Green light echo wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:25 am So SA finally has some rugby on. Only six months behind the civilised world.

Enjoy boets but what is it with the Marvel crap. Very juvenile.

Collective state of mind I suppose

Green light echo wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:25 am So SA finally has some rugby on. Only six months behind the civilised world.

Enjoy boets but what is it with the Marvel crap. Very juvenile.

Collective state of mind I suppose

average joe wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:50 am

Green light echo wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:25 am So SA finally has some rugby on. Only six months behind the civilised world.

Enjoy boets but what is it with the Marvel crap. Very juvenile.

Collective state of mind I suppose

Trolling an initiative raising funds for the childhood cancer foundation is not a good look poes.

The unity of South African rugby will also be showcased through the #RugbyUnites initiative for Vodacom Super Fan Saturday and in partnership with the South African Rugby Legends Association. Every point scored during the double-header will result in a donation of R2,500 to #RugbyUnites and their supply of food parcels to various charities around South Africa to help alleviate the burden caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

average joe wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:04 am

average joe wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:50 am

Green light echo wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:25 am So SA finally has some rugby on. Only six months behind the civilised world.

Enjoy boets but what is it with the Marvel crap. Very juvenile.

Collective state of mind I suppose

Trolling an initiative raising funds for the childhood cancer foundation is not a good look poes.

edit: see it's for a different cause this year, but you're still a poes.

The unity of South African rugby will also be showcased through the #RugbyUnites initiative for Vodacom Super Fan Saturday and in partnership with the South African Rugby Legends Association. Every point scored during the double-header will result in a donation of R2,500 to #RugbyUnites and their supply of food parcels to various charities around South Africa to help alleviate the burden caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Green light echo wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:25 am So SA finally has some rugby on. Only six months behind the civilised world.

Enjoy boets but what is it with the Marvel crap. Very juvenile.

Collective state of mind I suppose

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 2:23 pm

Green light echo wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:25 am So SA finally has some rugby on. Only six months behind the civilised world.

Enjoy boets but what is it with the Marvel crap. Very juvenile.

Collective state of mind I suppose

The civilized world haven't finish their 2019/20 season

.Each match will be broadcast on SuperSport’s all-new Grandstand channel (DStv channel 201), and also the rugby-dedicated channel (DStv channel 211).

On Saturday, the Vodacom Super Fan Saturday double-header will take place at Loftus Versfeld between the four Vodacom Super Rugby franchises: Vodacom Bulls v Cell C Sharks (4.25pm) and Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers (6.55pm).

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 7:00 pm Bulls vs Sharks speel voorwedstryd vir Stormers vs Lions

SS

Sards wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:01 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 7:00 pm Bulls vs Sharks speel voorwedstryd vir Stormers vs Lions

SS

They decided to entertain the crowd first which makes absolute sense. JW is on show with his newly assembled side of quality players and the Sharks are dynamic and refreshing to watch. Should be a cracker.
Thereafter we will see phase after phase behind the advantage line from the Lions whilst the Stormers are going to defend and scrum and bash up 3m a carry for the time they get the ball. Could be the perfect time to get the coals going for the evening braai.

Big Nipper wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:31 am Why do you guys respond? He is getting what he wants ffs

OomStruisbaai wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 4:00 pm 12 Rikus Pretorius

OomStruisbaai wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 4:03 pm Lions:


1 Dylan Smith, 2 Gerrit Visagie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orrie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 9 Andre Warner, 10 Elton Jantjies (Captain), 11 Courtnall Skosan, 12 Burger Odendaal, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Sibahle Maxwane, 15 Divan Russouw.

Replacements:

Sti Sithole, jan-Henning Campher, Carlu Sadie, Wilhelm vd Sluys, Reinhard Nothnagel, MJ Pelser, Francke Horn, Lyn MAssyn, Dillon Smit, Gianni Lombard, Stean Pienaar, Daniel Kriel, Manuel Rass, Jamba Ulengo, EW Viljoen

‘tsek wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:12 pm Agreed. The inherent supremacy of the Province behemoth over the plucky upstarts is obvious. Can the Lions strike a blow for the downtrodden and marginalized everywhere by limiting the generationally privileged Province side to a victory of less than 50?

Chilli wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:28 pm

‘tsek wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:12 pm Agreed. The inherent supremacy of the Province behemoth over the plucky upstarts is obvious. Can the Lions strike a blow for the downtrodden and marginalized everywhere by limiting the generationally privileged Province side to a victory of less than 50?

The simple answer is no.

This is the Nienaber coached Stormers afterall .

Sandstorm wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:58 pm You guys calling for high scores and running rugby are mad. It’s 6 months since competitive contact and there will be rust galore!

Plus the new breakdown laws......both games will be low quality and slow, especially after the Kiwis recently.

Chilli wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 4:26 am

Sandstorm wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:58 pm You guys calling for high scores and running rugby are mad. It’s 6 months since competitive contact and there will be rust galore!

Plus the new breakdown laws......both games will be low quality and slow, especially after the Kiwis recently.

Who is calling for running Rugby?
The Nienaber coached stormers are up against a Lions team that has 2 very good props and fokol else.
Gimmies 1st XV would beat this Lions team.

You lot are making excuses already, " oh we are rusty, poor us"
" oh the transition from being coached by Dobbo to being coached by Nienaber was traumatic, poor us"
" oh Nienaber hasn't clearly explained the new breakdown laws , poor us"

Bunch of jammer tannies. That's what you are.

At least Handy says it like it is. " The Greatest Team in The Universe ".

Against Captain Elton Junkies.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 3:20 am 2020 S15 champs
Sharks Squad

Forwards:

Ox Nche, Mzamo Majola, Dylan Richardson, Dan Jooste, Thomas du Toit, John-Hubert Meyer, Ruben van Heerden, JJ van der Mescht, Hyron Andrews, Emile van Heerden, Evan Roos, Adam Mountfort, Celimpilo Gumede, Tera Mtembu, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Phepsi Buthelezi

Backs:

Grant Williams, Sanele Nohamba, Jaden Hendrikse, Curwin Bosch, Jordan Chait, Muller du Plessis, Caleb Dingaan, Jeremy Ward, Marius Louw, Lukhanyo Am, JP Pietersen, Werner Kok, Manie Libbok, Thaakir Abrahams

Injured Players not considered:

Aphelele Fassi – Shoulder

Henco Venter – Quad Strain

James Venter – Concussion

Kerron van Vurren – Chest Muscle

Madosh Tambwe – Hamstring

Sbu Nkosi – Chest

‘tsek wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 6:16 am

Chilli wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 4:26 am

Sandstorm wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:58 pm You guys calling for high scores and running rugby are mad. It’s 6 months since competitive contact and there will be rust galore!

Plus the new breakdown laws......both games will be low quality and slow, especially after the Kiwis recently.

Who is calling for running Rugby?
The Nienaber coached stormers are up against a Lions team that has 2 very good props and fokol else.
Gimmies 1st XV would beat this Lions team.

You lot are making excuses already, " oh we are rusty, poor us"
" oh the transition from being coached by Dobbo to being coached by Nienaber was traumatic, poor us"
" oh Nienaber hasn't clearly explained the new breakdown laws , poor us"

Bunch of jammer tannies. That's what you are.

At least Handy says it like it is. " The Greatest Team in The Universe ".

Against Captain Elton Junkies.

Thanks Chilli, I almost planned to watch the Lions, but you have made up my mind for me. Might still PVR it, I mean there is no chance for the Lions right? But what if...nah, best to let go of that thought right now. Will just lead to disappointment. Right?

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 2:23 pm

Green light echo wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:25 am So SA finally has some rugby on. Only six months behind the civilised world.

Enjoy boets but what is it with the Marvel crap. Very juvenile.

Collective state of mind I suppose

The civilized world haven't finish their 2019/20 season

Chilli wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 6:59 am https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/supe ... y-20200925

It will be interesting to see the reaction of the ANC if players do not bend a knee.