DURBAN, June (ANA) - Super Rugby action resumes this weekend following the international break and all four local sides, the Bulls, Lions, Stormers and Sharks, will be out to gather important league points as the competition inches closer to the playoffs.
A spicy local derby between the Sharks and Lions in Durban is the main fare on the menu this weekend, while the Bulls and Stormers have away games in Singapore and Buenos Aires respectively.
The men from Pretoria kick off the action from a local point of view when they face the resurgent Sunwolves from 1.55pm on Saturday (SA time) at the Singapore National Stadium.
They will be looking to avenge their defeat last year to the Japanese side in Tokyo, when the Bulls became the first South African team to lose against the Sunwolves.
That match in the Far East is followed by the only local derby of the weekend, in Durban. The Sharks have a good home record this year while the Lions will be out to consolidate their position at the top of the South African Conference table.
The match in at Kings Park starts at 5.15pm.
In Buenos Aires, the Stormers face a very confident Jaguares team who will be buoyed by their impressive unbeaten run before the international break. This match starts at 7.40pm (SA time).
Meanwhile in team news, Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard captains the Bulls in the injury absence of regular skipper Burger Odendaal.
Apart from their returning Springboks, the Pretoria side also welcome back Jamba Ulengo, who gets a first start this year at wing, Hanro Liebenberg at No 8 and Jannes Kirsten, wjo is due for his first appearance this year at flank.
The new midfield combination consists of Johnny Kotze and Jesse Kriel, while Pollard and Embrose Papier are the halfbacks.
Replacements Edgar Marutlulle, Simpiwe Matanzima and Morne Smith are all set to make first appearances for the season as well, with the latter two in line to make their tournament debuts.
Bulls head coach John Mitchell said: “We had a good break, but also had some time together to sort out elements in our play that lacked consistency.
"The Sunwolves are always dangerous, especially on home turf and we will have to be very principled in our approach and execution if we want to stay in the contest.”
The Sunwolves, who will be captained by Willie Britz, have included three former Bulls players in their match day squad – Gerhard van den Heever (fullback), Grant Hattingh (reserve lock) and Hencus van Wyk (prop).
As expected, Sharks coach, Robert du Preez, included all his returning Springboks for their home encounter with the Lions. The clash is important for the Durbanites as a win will keep alive their slim play-off hopes.
Tendai Mtawarira (prop), Akker van der Merwe (hooker), Thomas du Toit (prop), Jean-Luc du Preez (flank), Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am (centres) and Sbu Nkosi (wing) are all included in the starting team following their Springbok duties against England.
Curwin Bosch (fullback), Makazole Mapimpi (wing), Dan du Preez (loose forward) and Robert du Preez (flyhalf) all played in the one-off Test against Wales and are also in the starting line-up.
Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker), who started the third Test in Cape Town last weekend, is on the bench.
Sharks wing Sbu Nkosi had this to say about the match: “The Sharks/Lions derby has always been a big one in South African rugby and I don’t think it will simmer down any time soon.”
Lions captain Warren Whiteley, star hooker Malcolm Marx and strong-running wing Ruan Combrinck, as well as all of the Highvelders’ Springboks that did international duty in June, are all included in an experienced starting line-up.
Whiteley returns from a lengthy lay-off with a troublesome knee while Marx – who will run out for his 50th match at this level – has recovered from his hamstring strain.
Wing Courtnall Skosan is also back on the bench after recovering from a serious knee injury.
Bongi Mbonambi will make his first start of the season for the Stormers against the Jaguares.
The Bok hooker made his return off the bench against the Lions before the international break, having been sidelined through injury for the first 13 matches of the season.
He is joined in the front row by props Steven Kitshoff and Wilco Louw.
In the second row, Cobus Wiese forms a lock partnership with Jan de Klerk while the loose trio features captain, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
In the backline, the experienced scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage is paired with playmaker Jean-Luc du Plessis, with Damian de Allende and JJ Engelbrecht picked as midfielders. Dillyn Leyds is at fullback while Craig Barry and Raymond Rhule are out wide on the wings.
Whiteley said about the clash: “The first game is always tough, but I will give it my best. This a huge match for both sides.”
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck added: “We know that this will be a tough match in difficult conditions, but we are embracing the challenge that we will face.
"After the break we have a fresh mind set and are determined to give a good account of ourselves.”
- African News Agency (ANA)
