High-fives greet Super fixtures schedule
Pollard in the mix for Bulls run
ALREADY Super Rugby looks in better shape than it was over the last two years.
The draw for next year’s trimmed down competition was announced yesterday and as expected there is no longer a month-long hiatus breaking momentum towards the end of the league stages.
The Sunwolves will be pleased they have been lumped with the Aussies which should simplify their travel commitments‚ but the Jaguares will still have their work cut out.
The Aussie are most pleased that they have home and away derbies for the first time in three years.
Super Rugby will see a return of an eight-team‚ seven-match finals series at the tail end of the tourney.
On February 17 the Stormers get the ball rolling at home against the Jaguares‚ with the Lions kicking off two hours later in a challenging home fixture against the Sharks.
The Bulls start their campaign a week later against the Hurricanes‚ while the Sharks have an early bye in week two.
The Stormers start their overseas commitments with a clash against the Waratahs in week two‚ and with a game already under their belt by then‚ they could catch their hosts cold in Sydney.
The Lions will quietly give a nod of approval to the fact that they have drawn the two most recent champions‚ the Crusaders and the Hurricanes‚ in home matches.
They end their round-robin fixtures on July 14 at home against the Bulls before the playoffs start.
They are also pleased they can take their administrative planning SPRINGBOK flyhalf Handre Pollard was yesterday included in the Blue Bulls’ match-day 22 for their Currie Cup clash against the Sharks in Durban tomorrow after an unexpected twist of fate.
Utility back Manie Libbok‚ who was named on the bench‚ was laid low with appendicitis and had to make way for Pollard.
Blue Bulls executive of rugby John Mitchell was not keen on starting some of the returning Springboks because of his team’s precarious log position.
The Sharks are on top of the log with 39 points while the Bulls are sixth on 20 points.
Forgotten fullback Ulrich Beyers will also get a chance to show his to the next level.
“I would like to thank Sanzaar for the early release of these dates and fixtures as it will assist with planning both on the rugby side as well as commercially‚” said chief executive of the Lions Rugby Company‚ Rudolf Straeuli.
“We believe that the reduced number of teams will enhance the value of this tournament for all stakeholders and re-establish Super Rugby as the leading club competition in the world.”
Edgar Rathbone‚ managing director EPS (Pty (Ltd)‚ was delighted that all the Lions matches will be played on Saturdays and Sundays.
“It has been a challenge for our supporters to get to the stadium on Fridays. Our supporters can now look forward to some exciting new season ticket packages that will be launched during October.” — DDC wares from the bench.
Sharks coach Robert du Preez picked his available Boks, where Dan du Preez and Chiliboy Ralepelle will be starting.
Recently called up Bok S’busiso Nkosi will be starting on the left wing, while scrumhalf Louis Schreuder misses the game because of his wedding.
Sharks – 15 Garth April‚ 14 Odwa Ndungane‚ 13 Jeremy Ward‚ 12 Marius Louw‚ 11 S’bu Nkosi‚ 10 Curwin Bosch‚ 9 Michael Claassens‚ 8 Dan du Preez‚ 7 Jacques Vermeulen‚ 6 Keegan Daniel‚ 5 Ruan Botha‚ 4 Tyler Paul‚ 3 Ross Geldenhuys‚ 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle‚ 1 Thomas du Toit Reserves: 16 Franco Marais‚ 17 Juan Schoeman‚ 18 Jean Droste‚ 19 Tera Mtembu‚ 20 Cameron Wright‚ 21 Tristan Blewett‚ 22 Rhyno Smith
Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant‚ 14 Duncan Matthews‚ 13 Burger Odendaal‚ 12 J T Jackson‚ 11 Johnny Kotze‚ 10 Marnitz Boshoff‚ 9 Ivan can Zyl‚ 8 Jano Venter‚ 7 Jannes Kirsten‚ 6 Nic de Jager‚ 5 Aston Fortuin‚ 4 Ruben van Heerden‚ 3 Conraad van Vuuren‚ 2 Edgar Marutlulle‚ 1 Pierre Schoeman
Reserves: 16 Johan Grobbelaar‚ 17 Matthys Basson‚ 18 Tim Agaba‚ 19 Marco van Staden‚ 20 Piet van Zyl‚ 21 Handre Pollard‚ 22 Ulrich Beyers — DDC