Rugby

Lions' season in the balance

September 01, 2006 Edition 1

Jacques van der Westhuyzen

Today, 7pm

Johannesburg

The Lions put their feet up last week and watched the Sharks open up a nine-point gap on them in fifth place in the Currie Cup.

So, if Eugene Eloff and his charges are to stand any chance of still making the playoffs, victory tonight at Ellis Park is essential.

Defeat, and a highly probable win for the Sharks in Witbank, will leave the Lions a massive 14 points behind the semifinal places. There's pressure aplenty on the players.

And one wonders whether the break last weekend has affected them in any way. Before last week, the Lions had built some good momentum, picking up wins against the Bulls and Sharks to give themselves a chance of pushing for the semifinals.

And there is, of course, the small matter of the first-round hiding they copped in Bloemfontein no doubt still playing on their minds. And let's also not forget that the Cheetahs are coming off a 78-8 win over the Valke last week, so confidence in Rassie Erasmus's camp will be at an unprecedented high.

The good news for Eloff is that he's been able to pick the same team that beat the Sharks two weeks ago.

Captain Wikus van Heerden said the return to form for his side had given the players plenty to look forward to in the remaining weeks. "We've had some big wins of late that meant a lot to all of us," he said. "But we're fully aware of the importance of this game. It's crucial to our chances of making the last four."

The Cheetahs, though, are an unpredictable bunch who've played some sparkling rugby this season, with Eloff not hesitating to state "they're the most consistent team in South Africa".

Van Heerden also has plenty of respect for Erasmus and the way the defending champions have played so far. "They're very well balanced and they throw the ball around quite a lot, but where they've improved under Rassie is in the forwards. Their first phases are pretty good nowdays."

A win for the Cheetahs would see them consolidate their position atop the log and put them in prime spot to host a final this year. It should be a thrilling encounter between two teams who enjoy running with the ball.

Prediction: Cheetahs by 10

Today, 7pm

Witbank

Dick Muir's men are coming off a nailbiting and crucial win over Western Province and, after playing in the atrocious conditions in Durban last week, will be keen to be back on dry land at @lantic Park. A win for the Sharks will see them into third place, while the winless Pumas, who've had a nightmare season, are unlikely to add to their three bonus points collected. The difference in class between the outfits is, simply put, frightening. Muir has also had the benefit of recalling JP Pietersen to the side, but he has lost inspirational leader AJ Venter to the Springboks. Warren Britz takes over as captain and young Alistair Hargreaves gets a chance in the second row. And with all the ball they're likely to get, expect promising No 10 Francois Steyn to have a field day.

Prediction: Sharks by 30

Today, 7.10pm, M-Net, SS1

Cape Town

Kobus van der Merwe's men suffered only their second defeat of the season last week - for the second time against the Sharks - but should be back to their best on home soil, and in good conditions, this weekend. A win, and a defeat for the Cheetahs, would see the Cape Town team go back to the top of the log, but a win for the Bulls would see them go into second place. It's the traditional north versus south derby, with plenty to play for for the Pretoria team. Almost unstoppable at Loftus, the Bulls were humbled by Province 15-10 on July 8, so they'll certainly have revenge in mind. The clash between the flyhalves, Derick Hougaard and Naas Olivier, will be one of the most interesting of the day. So too the battle between Bok discards Hanyani Shimange and Gary Botha.

Prediction: Bulls by five

Tomorrow, 1pm

Kimberley

The men from Kimberley are almost unstoppable on home soil and should collect another five points from this fixture. They've already beaten the Sharks and Lions at Absa Park and after a massive 60-27 thrashing of the Pumas away from home last weekend, will be brimming with confidence. The backs, with Super 14 centre Ronnie Cooke in sublime form, have especially come into their own in recent weeks. A five-point haul and a defeat for the Lions - who're up against the Sharks today - will see Griquas move into fifth place. The Valke have had an up-and-down season, but with just two wins to their name, should not cause too many problems for the diamond miners. The Valke copped a 78-8 thrashing by the Cheetahs last week. Griquas should take it comfortably.

Prediction: Griquas by 20

All the Teams

Pumas: Oginga Siwundla; Darryl Coeries, Sasha Marot, Barend du Plessis, Hyron Thyse; Arno Coetzee, Ashieq Wise (capt); Schalk van der Merwe, Danzel Manuel, Corné Steenkamp; Jacques Lombaard, Bokkie Swanepoel, Pierre du Toit, Ashton Constant, Johan Prins. Replacements: Frederick de Jager, Sean Johnson, Paul Schreuder, Jonathan van der Schyff, Ryan de la Harpe, Pieter Benade, Sam Gerber

Sharks: JP Pietersen; Dusty Noble, Waylon Murray, Grant Rees, Brent Russell; Francois Steyn, Scott Mathie; Ryan Kankowski, Jaco Gouws, Warren Britz (capt); Alastair Hargreaves, Wouter Moore, Robbie Harris, Bismarck du Plessis, Kees Lensing. Replacements: Skipper Badenhorst, Deon Carstens, Johan Snyman, Keegan Daniel, Sandile Nxumalo, Gcobani Bobo, Mzwandile Stick

Lions: Earl Rose; Wylie Human, Jaco Pretorius, Doppies la Grange, Louis Ludik; Jaco van Schalkwyk, Enrico Januarie; Ernst Joubert, Cobus Grobbelaar, Wikus van Heerden (capt); Anton van Zyl, Cobus Grobler, Bertus Smit, Ethienne Reynecke, Heinke van der Merwe. Replacements: James van der Walt, Marius Hurter, Franco van der Merwe, Roland Bernard, Dave von Hoesslin, Grant Esterhuizen, Mark Harris

Cheetahs: Bevin Fortuin; Eddie Fredericks, JW Jonker, Hendrik Meyer, Alwyn Hollenbach; Meyer Bosman, Michael Claassens; Ryno van der Merwe, Darron Nell, Kabamba Floors; Barend Pieterse, Rory Duncan, Jannie du Plessis, Jaco du Toit, Ollie le Roux (capt). Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Wian du Preez, Corniel van Zyl, Bian Vermaak, Noel Oelschig, Willem de Waal, Philip Burger

Western Province: Gio Aplon; Sireli Naqelevuki, Corné Uys, De Wet Barry, Joe Pietersen; Naas Olivier, Bolla Conradie; Robbie Diack, Justin Melck, Luke Watson (capt); Gerrie Britz, Francois van der Merwe, Brok Harris, Hanyani Shimange, JD Moller. Replacements: Deon Fourie, Schalk Ferreira, Andries Bekker, Ross Skeate, Pieter Louw, Paul Delport, Sarel Potgieter

Blue Bulls: Johan Roets; Marius Delport, JP Nel, Dries Scholtz, Frikkie Welsh (capt); Derick Hougaard, Heini Adams; Derick Kuun, Johan Wasserman, Hilton Lobberts; Francois van Schouwenburg, Hottie Louw, Danie Thiart, Gary Botha, Jaco Engels. Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Ruan Vermeulen, Adriaan Fondse, Warren Brosnihan, Neil Powell, Morné Steyn, Danwel Demas

Griquas: Tiger Mangweni; Vuyani Dlomo, Ronnie Cooke, Christophe du Toit, Bobby Joubert; Conrad Barnard, JP Joubert; Frans Viljoen, Gareth Krause (capt), Wayne van Heerden; Stefan van Rooyen, Cilliers Coetzer, Hedley Wessels, Tiaan Liebenberg, Eugene van Staden. Replacements: Dean Lionel Hopp, Cornelis Rautenbach, Brendon Snyman, Jacques Burger, Tertius Carse, Alshaun Bock, Brendell Brandt

Valke: Riaan Viljoen; Jovan Bowles, Riaan Hefer, Hanno Coetzee, Mpho Matsaung; Louis Strydom, Sarel Pretorius; Michael Vermaak, Jacques Nieuwenhuis, Piet Krause (capt); Nico Luus, Ryan Strudwick, Philip Lemmer, Piet Grobler, Zane Killian. Replacements: Gavin Whittingham, Attie Pienaar, Dewald Senekal, Sean Plaatjies, Bosman Grobler/Sam Willard, Morné Adams, Dean Okkers

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