Darry Worthington takes a look at the two Super Fan Saturday games which are being played on the 26th of September.
Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports
The long wait is almost over for South African rugby fans with the curtain-raiser to Super Rugby Unlocked / Currie Cup taking place this weekend in the form of Super Fan Saturday.
Saturday’s doubleheader will see South Africa’s four current super Rugby sides lock horns in a much needed hit out before the real domestic action gets underway in two weeks time.
The first of the day’s fixtures will see the Blue Bulls and Sharks square off at Loftus. It’s then over to Johannesburg where the Lions will lock horns with Western Province.
To Win (80 Mins)
Bulls
Draw
To Win (80 Mins)
Blue Bulls v Sharks
Saturday 26 September
Saturday 26 September
Loftus Versfeld
16:25
To Win (80 Mins)
Bulls
Draw
Sharks
Handicap
Bulls
Sharks
The Jake White era gets underway at Loftus this weekend with the former Springbok and Sharks mentor set to square off against his old team.
There have been some major changes at the Bulls since White took over with former Loftus darlings Burger Odendall, Rosko Specman and Warrick Gelant having left the union. White has brought in a number of exciting players, however, with veterans Gio Aplon and Nizaam Carr returning from overseas adventures to play their trade with the Pretoria-based side.
Like the Bulls, the Sharks have also seen a couple of big guns move on with Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen heading to England along with experienced scrum-half Lewis Schreuder. They have managed to keep the core of the side that was dominating the early rounds of the ill-fated 2020 Super Rugby tournament.
Verdict: Bulls
I really fancy the Bulls here. It’s a preseason knockabout but they look the better-prepared side. White will also want to make a statement during his first game at the helm.
I really fancy the Bulls here. It’s a preseason knockabout but they look the better-prepared side. White will also want to make a statement during his first game at the helm.
Golden Lions v Stormers
Saturday 26 September
Emirates Airline Park
19:00
Emirates Airline Park
19:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Lions
Draw
Stormers
Handicap
Lions
Draw
Stormers
Handicap
Lions
Stormers
A much-changed Lions side will tackle a solid looking Stormers outfit in the second and final game of super Fan Saturday.
The hosts struggled during the 2020 Super Rugby season before the tournament was cut short and only managed to win one of the six fixtures they played. Things haven’t got much better since the Super Rugby season was called off with the Lions losing promising players such as Tyrone Green and Ruan Vermark.
The Stormers enjoyed a far more positive Super Rugby campaign with the Cape Town-based side registering four wins from their six fixtures. They will be able to field a side loaded with Springbok talent, which will also now include World Cup winner Warrick Gelant who was recently signed by the Bulls.
Verdict: Stormers
The Lions have some handy players but not enough to challenge a Stormers side that has a very deep squad. My money is on the visitors running away with the game in the second stanza.
