Western Province will host the Blue Bulls in the second Currie Cup semi final on Saturday the 20th of October.
Western Province v Blue Bulls
DHL Newlands
Saturday 20 October
17:00
To Win(80 mins)
Western Province 1/16
Draw 33/1
Blue Bulls 7/1
Handicap
Western Province (-19.5) 17/20
Blue Bulls (+19.5) 17/20
Western Province
In a replay of last weekend’s clash, Western Province look certain to reach the 2018 Currie Cup final should they keep their unblemished record in tact.
Province have set their sight on the Currie Cup double, as they won the Cup in 2017, after they travelled to Durban and beat the Sharks 33-21.
Province haven’t lost a single match in this years campaign and have scored a devastating 38 tries. SP Marais tops the points scorers board (91), while Sergeal Petersen tops the try scores leader board with eight tries scored.
But, the scrum-half and fly-half pairing of Damian Willemse and Herschel Jantjies is what you should keep your eyes on. Both players attended Paul Roos Gymnasium not so long ago, so they’ve formed synergy over the years. Dillyn Leyds at fullback, and SP Marais at wing will make for lethal attack, while the towering JD Schickerling will proved respite at the line-outs as Wilco Louw marshal’s the scrum.
Blue Bulls
The Bulls have lost only against top opposition during this years campaign, but a strong performance here could see them on track to winning their first title since 2009. They’ll have to look past last weekend’s dismal 34 – 7 performance on home soil.
The Bulls will have to work on their scrum should they want to challenge the hosts on Saturday. Scrumhalf, Ivan van Zyl will be crucial for the Bulls, and his partnership with Manie Libbok could prove vital for the visitors. But the Bulls will need to play out of their socks should they want to come close against an adept Western Province team.
Verdict: Western Province (-19.5) 17/20
The Bulls will have a mountain to climb to beat such a finely tuned Western Province team. Province should win this match with ease in front of their home crowd faithfuls who will flock in their drones. Expect them to clear the handicap.
Line Ups
Western Province – 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 SP Marais, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (c), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Subs: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Josh Stander, 23 JJ Engelbrecht.
Blue Bulls – 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Duncan Matthews , 13 Dylan Sage, 12 Jonny Kotze, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Marco van Staden, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Hendré Stassen, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Subs : 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Frans van Wyk, 18 Conrad de Beer, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Nic de Jager, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Franco Naude, 24 André Warner.
