Bulls, WP hoping for better times

Both Western Province and the Blue Bulls will be eager to turn the corner in their north-south Currie Cup showdown at Newlands this afternoon.

The Blue Bulls started their campaign on a high note with wins of 51-45 over Griquas and 54-22 over the Golden Lions, but came unstuck in going down 2820 to the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night.

Province, on the other hand, started with a loss of 30-17 to the Cheetahs, then beat the Pumas 34-19, but lost a second time, going down 44-34 to Griquas in Kimberley on Wednesday.

The unbeaten Cheetahs and the Sharks are currently the top dogs with 15 points at the pinnacle of the standings with the Cheetahs having a game in hand and hosting Griquas in Bloemfontein in the early game today.

Province coach John Dobson (pictured) said it’s been a short turnaround for both sides who are facing their third match in the space of just seven days.

Province played the Pumas last weekend, followed by Griquas in Kimberley on Wednesday, while the Bulls played the Golden Lions last Saturday followed by the Sharks on Wednesday, both at Loftus.

“It has been a tough week for us, but the players are determined to rise to the occasion and show what we are capable of,” Dobson said.

“It is always a big game when the Blue Bulls come to Newlands and this will be no different,” he said.

In an effort to keep his players fresh after the hectic schedule, Dobson waved his rotation stick in making five changes to the Western Province team.

Scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, flyhalf Damian Willemse, centre Huw Jones, flank Jaco Coetzee and hooker Scarra Ntubeni all come into the starting line-up for the North-South derby.

Vermaak replaces the injured Dewaldt Duvenage and will partner Willemse at halfback, with scrumhalf Justin Phillips and flyhalf Kurt Coleman on the replacements bench.

Kick-off: 5.15pm.