Wales, Bulls for Bay
A MATCH between Wales and the EP Kings – as a warm-up to the tourist’s two-test series against the Springboks – has been approved by the executive council of the South African Rugby Union.
The match will take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 10.
Kings chief executive Charl Crous also confirmed that his team would be playing the Bulls in a Super Rugby friendly on June 21 in PE. ORLANDO Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic has arrived back in the country with a bang, but he’s got a chance to let results do more of the talking in their Absa Premier League soccer clash at Orlando stadium against Moroka Swallows today.
The new coach has already been rumoured to have had tiffs with his assistant, Teboho Moloi, while his clash with Khethokwakhe Masuku spilled out into the open during their Nedbank Cup game against Santos last weekend. Vermezovic came to Pirates with a reputation of being a short-tempered, confrontational ruler who was not as cute and cuddly as his predecessor Roger de Sa.
Masuku apologised for his shenanigans – after clearly showing his displeasure at being substituted by putting his headphones on while sitting on the bench – but tensions are still simmering.
Fans who followed Vermezovic’s fallout with Lehlohonolo Majoro when the pair were still at Kaizer Chiefs, are waiting with bated breath to see how they get along now that they both have switched allegiance.
The Serb was brought in to toughen up the Buccaneers after a year in which they made three major cup finals, losing all three, including the coveted Caf Champions League final against Al Ahly.
He now has one win, a draw and a Soweto derby loss to Kaizer Chiefs plus progress into the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals under his belt.
Vermezovic now has a chance to put the off-field headlines behind him and get the boys to improve their fourth place in the Premier League.
To his advantage, Siyabonga Sangweni, the inimitable pillar in defence, has recovered from a troubling achilles heel injury. His return also coincides with Rooi Mahamutsa’s come back, who had a storming game against Santos, a good sign for the Buccaneers after months of fielding uncertain defensive combinations.
Happy Jele is also touted for a comeback, meaning Pirates could go back to their favourite back four of Thabo Matlaba at left-back, Mahamutsa and Sangweni in the centre and Jele manning the right flank.
At King Zwelithini Stadium, Arrows will be desperate to halt their run of home defeats which has contributed to their 16th place standing on the log when they clash with Wits.
Tomorrow Sundowns have a chance to go top when they meet University of Pretoria at Loftus.
The Brazilians will have played two games more than their title rivals but the onus will be shifted onto Chiefs to convert their games in hand into points or risk losing the title initiative.