The Sharks host the Lions in the first Currie Cup semi final on Saturday the 20th of October.
The Sharks went down in last year’s final to Western Province. This year, they’ll want to go all the way, but the immediate task at hand will be to beat 2013 winners, the Lions.
Sharks v Lions
Saturday 20 October
Jonsson Kings Park
14:30
To Win (80 Mins)
Sharks 1/3
Draw 25/1
Lions 5/2
Handicap
Sharks (-8.5) 17/20
Lions (+8.5) 17/20
Sharks
In what will be a replay of game week four, the Sharks will head into the match full of confidence. A 22 point tally from Robert du Preez junior led the home side to a 16 point victory.
The Sharks won the match in the first half when they put 30 points on the board to the Lions’ 7 in the first half – but lost the second half 7 – 14 after they took their foot off the gas, something they shouldn’t be aware of going into this crucial semi final.
Lions
The Lions will have their Springboks back in the form of Warren Whiteley and Aphiwe Dyanti. A move that will see the campaigns second top try scorer, Hacjivah Dayimani, move to the bench.
The Lions will be a different outfit come Saturday and expect them not to give away too many early penalties like they did on match day four.
Stats
- The Lions have scored the second number of points in the tournament with 239.
- The Sharks have won the Currie Cup seven times since the tournaments inception in 1892.
- The Lions have won the Currie Cup 11 times since the tournaments inception in 1892.
Line Ups
Golden Lions – 15 Sylvian Mahuza, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Nic Groom (c), 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Pikkie de Villiers, 6 James Venter, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 Tiaan van der Merwe, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Chergin Fillies, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Shaun Reynolds, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Sharks – 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 S’bu Nkosi, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (c), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Luke Stringer, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Leolin Zas, 23 Aphelele Fassi
Verdict: Lions 5/2
The Lions will be a different team this weekend and I see them stealing the match from the hosts.
