A look ahead to this weekend’s Vodacom Super Rugby quarter-finals involving South African sides.
Hurricanes vs Vodacom Bulls
Springbok centre Jesse Kriel will make a welcome return to the Bulls’ starting team to face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday morning.
The Springbok midfielder will slot in at No 13 and replaces the injured Burger Odendaal, while Johnny Kotze moves from wing to the inside-centre berth. Meanwhile up front, Jason Jenkins also returns from injury to partner RG Snyman at lock, with Jannes Kirsten moving to the bench.
The Hurricanes have won three of their last four matches against the Pretoria outfit, all with a winning margin of five points or less, meaning another close-fought battle will be in the offing.
Handré Pollard finished the regular season as top points-scorer on 186, while they have also managed to build up some good momentum over the last three games. During this time, the Pretoria-based team have managed to secure a win and two draws against Kiwi opposition.
What they said:
Bulls coach Pote Human described the return of Kriel and Jenkins as a boost: ‘Jesse’s experience and ability speaks for itself and it’s great to have him back. Jason has also been playing really well lately and he forms a very competitive combination with RG, so to have them united for this important game is a big plus. We have found some good momentum in the last couple of weeks, though. and will back ourselves on Saturday.’
Bulls captain Handré Pollard praised the team’s improvement this year and said their quarter-final appearance is a just reward: ‘We achieved one of our goals and the next target is to get into the semi-finals. As a group we have learned good lessons this year, and we need to keep the belief and the focus if we want to succeed.’
Hurricanes – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Toby Smith.
Subs: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Ben May/Alex Fidow, 19 Kane Le’aupepel, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Richard Judd/Finlay Christie, 22 James Marshall, 23 Salesi Rayasi.
Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Johnny Kotze, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handré Pollard (c), 9 Andre Warner, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Subs: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Ruan Steenkamp, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Head to head
Played: 21
Hurricanes won: 11
Bulls won: 10
Hurricanes points: 567
Bulls points: 539
Average score: 27-26
Match information
Date: Saturday, 21 June 2019
SA time: 9:35am
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Brendon Pickerill
Television Match Official: Glenn Newman
Super Rugby quarter-final wish list
Brumbies vs Sharks
Curwin Bosch returns at fullback for the Sharks in one of two changes to the match-day squad for their Super Rugby quarter-final against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.
Aphelele Fassi has been ruled out with a shoulder injury and is replaced by a fit-again Bosch. Juan Schoeman was not considered for selection last week against the Stormers because of flu and he returns to the bench as prop cover.
The Durban side have enjoyed better success on the road this year than at home and they will be confident of a good showing against the Australian conference-winning Brumbies.
What they said:
Sharks captain Louis Schreuder, speaking from the team’s base in Coogee in Sydney, said the team are focused and ready for the clash: ‘Everyone is excited and looking forward to the challenge. They’re a physical, well-organised team with a good set piece and kicking game, so we’re going to have to be well prepared for that.’
Brumbies – 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 James Slipper, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Jahrome Brown, 22 Matt Lucas, 23 Tom Wright.
Sharks – 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Rob du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (c), 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Mzamo Majola.
Subs: 16 Cullen Collopy, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Luke Stringer, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Rhyno Smith.
Head to head
Played: 22
Brumbies won: 12
Sharks won: 10
Brumbies points: 568
Cell C Sharks points: 498
Average score: 26-23
Match information
Date: Saturday, 21 June 2019
SA time: 12:05pm
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner, Graham Cooper
Television Match Official: James Leckie
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
