Month: March 2019

Blue Bulls head coach Pote Human named an experienced team for Friday night’s Currie Cup opener against the Free State in Bloemfontein.

Number eight Hanro Liebenberg leads the side that will include one Currie Cup debutant – lock Ruan Nortje – in the run-on side.

Flanker Thembelani Bholi will make his Blue Bulls debut in the competition, and so will Theo Maree and Earll Dowrie if they take to the field off the replacements bench.

Human feels there will be little room for error because there is only one round of fixtures.

“It is going to be tough to come back if you have a slow start in the competition, so every win will be crucial if you have ambitions to win the Currie Cup this year,” he said.

“It is going to be a very interesting and tense competition this season and we are looking forward to the challenge. Our preparations have gone well and I think this squad will be very competitive.”

Human believes that the experience gained by the players in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament this year will help in the Currie Cup.

“Most of the players have been involved at that level, so should be able to cope with the pressures they will experience in Bloemfontein on Friday,” he said.

“Toyota Park can become a very lonely place for a visiting team if you don’t front up to a Free State side that will be very motivated to do well at home.”

Liebenberg said the squad are keen to start on a winning note.

“We have the ability, no doubt, so the challenge will be to make sure we play according to that. There are some really good players in both teams and I think we are in for a great game.

“That is exactly what we want as a group, to be tested against the best out there.”

Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Matthys Basson
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Hendre Stassen, 19 Jano Venter, 20 Theo Maree, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 Earll Douwrie

Date: Friday, August 17
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 19:00 (18:00 BST, 17:00 GMT)
Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Ben Crouse, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe

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The match officials for this weekend’s action have been confirmed, with Jaco Peyper taking charge of the Rugby Championship opener between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney.

Elsewhere, the Mitre 10 Cup and Currie Cup tournaments also get underway.

Rugby Championship

Australia v New Zealand
@ ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

South Africa v Argentina
@ Kings Park, Durban, South Africa
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Mitre 10 Cup, Round 1

North Harbour vs Northland
@ QBE Stadium, Albany
Referee: tbc

Tasman vs Canterbury
@ Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Referee: tbc

Manawatu vs Waikato
@ Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
Referee: tbc

Auckland vs Counties
@ Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: tbc

Bay of Plenty vs Taranaki
@ Rotorua International Stadium
Referee: tbc

Wellington vs Otago
@ Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: tbc

Southland vs Hawke’s Bay
@ Rugby Park, Invercargill
Referee: tbc

Currie Cup, Premier Division

Free State Cheetahs v Blue Bulls
@ Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe

Pumas v Griquas
@ Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Ricus van der Hoven, Des van Wyk
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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Loose forward Guy Mercer is leaving Bath ahead of the 2018/19 campaign after eight years at the club, having been released from his contract.

Mercer made 123 senior appearances for the Club since making his first team debut in 2010.

Director of Rugby, Todd Blackadder said: “We have an extremely deep and talented range of players in the back row and it was clear that time on the pitch would be limited.”

“We’d like to thank Guy for the immense contribution he’s made during his time with the Club. Not only has he captained the team, he’s been hugely influential passing on his experience to an exciting crop of talent coming through in his position.”

Mercer added; “I have had an incredible time with Bath Rugby and want to thank the players, staff and friends of the club that have made that possible.”

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Scrum-half Rudy Paige and fly-half Tian Schoeman will run out against their old side when they start for the Cheetahs against the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Oupa Mohoje will lead a side that includes a number of players making their Cheetahs bows, while Jacques du Toit will be making his 50th appearance for the club if he comes on to the field as replacement hooker.

Dan Human will oversee Free State’s Currie Cup team, while director of rugby Franco Smith will coach the PRO14 team.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Malcom Jaer, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Nico Lee, 11 William Small-Smith, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje (c), 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Erich de Jager, 18 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 19 Dennis Visser, 20 Gerhard Olivier, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Louis Fouche

Date: Friday, August 17
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 19:00 (18:00 BST, 17:00 GMT)
Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Ben Crouse, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe

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Your one-stop spot for all the Currie Cup starting line-ups as they come out.

Friday

Pumas v Griquas

Pumas: 15 Gerrit Smith, 14 JP Lewis, 13 Ryan Nell, 12 Hennie Skorbinski (captain), 11 Neil Maritz, 10 Christopher Smith, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Kwezi Mona
Replacements: 16 Frankie Herne, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 Jeandré Rudolph, 20 Reynier van Rooyen, 21 Justin van Staden, 22 Trompie Pretorius

Griquas: 15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Kyle Steyn (captain), 12 Christopher Bosch, 11, Godfrey Ramaboea, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Christiaan Meyer, 8 Conway Pretorius, 7 Sias Koen, 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 FP Pelser, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Devon Martinus
Replacements: 16 AJ Le Roux, 17 Liam Hendricks, 18 Ruan Kramer, 19 Pieter Van Vuren, 20 Izak Burger, 21 Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Andre Swarts

Free State Cheetahs v Blue Bulls

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Malcom Jaer, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Nico Lee, 11 William Small-Smith, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje (c), 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Erich de Jager, 18 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 19 Dennis Visser, 20 Gerhard Olivier, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Louis Fouche

Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Matthys Basson
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Hendre Stassen, 19 Jano Venter, 20 Theo Maree, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 Earll Douwrie

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Ahead of the 2018 Rugby Championship, we preview each of the four teams who are battling for the much-coveted silverware.

Argentina

Australia

South Africa

New Zealand

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Marnus Schoeman will start at blindside flank for the Pumas when they take on Griquas at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday.

Gerrit Smith is at full-back while JP Lewis and Neil Maritz line up on the wings. Ryan Nell and Henrie Skorbinski form the midfield combination with Christopher Smith and Stefan Ungerer combining as the half-back pairing.

Willie Engelbrecht will front up at the back of the scrum, as Schoeman and Stefan Willemse complete the loose trio. Cameron Lindsay and Le Roux Roets lock down in the second row, while Marne Coetzee, Simon Westraadt and Kwezi Mona make up the front row.

Pumas: 15 Gerrit Smith, 14 JP Lewis, 13 Ryan Nell, 12 Hennie Skorbinski (captain), 11 Neil Maritz, 10 Christopher Smith, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Kwezi Mona
Replacements: 16 Frankie Herne, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 Jeandré Rudolph, 20 Reynier van Rooyen, 21 Justin van Staden, 22 Trompie Pretorius

Date: Friday, September 17
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 17:00 local (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Ricus van der Hoven, Des van Wyk
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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Kyle Steyn will captain the Griquas when they face the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday in the opening round of Currie Cup action.

AJ Coertzen, Ederies Arendse and Godfrey Ramaboea make up the back three, with captain Kyle Steyn and Christopher Bosch forming the midfield pairing. George Whitehead starts at fly-half, while Christiaan Meyer slots in beside him at scrum-half.

Conway Pretorius is eighth man and Sias Koean and Wendal Wehr complete the loose trio. FP Pelser and Sintu Manjezi lock down in the second row as Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Khwezi Mkhafu and Devon Martinus combine in the front row.

Griquas: 15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Kyle Steyn (captain), 12 Christopher Bosch, 11, Godfrey Ramaboea, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Christiaan Meyer, 8 Conway Pretorius, 7 Sias Koen, 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 FP Pelser, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Devon Martinus
Replacements: 16 AJ Le Roux, 17 Liam Hendricks, 18 Ruan Kramer, 19 Pieter Van Vuren, 20 Izak Burger, 21 Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Andre Swarts

Date: Friday, September 17
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 17:00 local (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Ricus van der Hoven, Des van Wyk
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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It’s that time again for our Video of the Week, bringing you standout footage you may enjoy. Today we look back at last year’s Bledisloe Cup.

Although the All Blacks had already secured the cup, this battle between the trans-Tasman rivals in Brisbane was a thrilling affair which the Wallabies eventually won by a narrow margin.

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Jack Goodhue and Waisake Naholo will start for the All Blacks when they take on the Wallabies in their Rugby Championship opener in Sydney on Saturday.

It will be just a second cap for Goodhue, who started in the third Test against France in the June internationals. Meanwhile, Naholo lines up on the right wing, with Nehe Milner-Skudder a recent withdrawal from the squad.

Otherwise, it is business as usual with Kieran Read captaining a side that boasts plenty of experience. Ben Smith is at full-back, with Rieko Ioane on the opposite wing to Ioane. Goodhue partners Ryan Crotty in midfield, while Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith form the halfback combination.

Liam Squire is at blindside with Sam Cane at openside and Kieran Read at number eight. Sam Whitelock is reunited with Brodie Retallick in the second row, while Owen Franks, Joe Moody and Cody Taylor make up the front row.

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

Date: Saturday, August 18
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 19:45 local (09:45 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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