Sharks get extra bite for Newlands clash
Golden Lions captain Warren Whiteley says he has learnt a lot from Springbok leaders such as Jean de Villiers and Victor Matfield as he attempts to lead his team to Currie Cup glory.
WP vs Sharks
The scrumhalf position has been a headache for Sharks coach Brad MacLeod-Henderson, but with newly capped Springbok Cobus Reinach fit and firing, there is a solution.
Reinach is one of four changes made by MacLeod-Henderson for tomorrow's clash against Western Province at Newlands, with another important one being Matt Stevens starting at prop ahead of Lourens Adriaanse.
The former England international has been content with cameo roles from the bench, and his sporadic appearances have shored up the Sharks scrum.
He is tasked with taking care of the young Oliver Kebble as Province coach Allister Coetzee looks to have sacrificed momentum by fielding a second-string team.
With the Province scrum not the strongest in the tournament, it is the best platform that the Sharks can use to give their exciting backline even more life.
With Sibusiso Sithole at 13 and Tonderai Chavhanga at wing along with Lwazi Mvovo, it is a unit packed with pace, power and flair.
Lions vs Cheetahs
Golden Lions captain Warren Whiteley says he has learnt a lot from Springbok leaders such as Jean de Villiers and Victor Matfield as he attempts to lead his team to Currie Cup glory.
Wide-eyed Whiteley was brought back into the starting lineup for the clash against the Cheetahs at Ellis Park tomorrow by coach Johan Ackermann and was eager to put the lessons he learnt during his time with the Springboks to immediate use.
"I feel that I've grown as a leader from just watching guys like Jean and Victor talk to the guys, what they implement on the field and the structures they have in place," he said.
"I also admired what they do before and after a game, and I'd love to transfer that experience here at my union.
"I definitely think I've grown and learnt a lot from the time I spent with the Boks."
He is back to help his teammates secure a home semifinal - a vital advantage in the knockout stages - against a Cheetahs side with its claws out and with three Springboks returning to the mix.
If the Lions fail to beat the Cheetahs and the Sharks win against Western Province, they could find themselves going to Durban for the semifinal, where they haven't won in seven Currie Cup visits since 2007.
Bulls vs Griquas
Just a month ago things seemed pretty bleak for the Blue Bulls after an indifferent start to the Currie Cup, but now the Pretoria side need only a win to ensure their spot in the play-offs.
Tomorrow night, Frans Ludeke's men take on Griquas at Loftus needing to do nothing fancy, nor desperate for a bonus point, needing only a victory to secure the semifinal spot that eluded them last season.
To make certain of no slip-ups, Ludeke named prop Marcel van der Merwe in his starting XV while Handré Pollard is set to be on the bench.
Both players returned to Loftus this week from doing national duty with the Springboks.
"They give the side a big boost," Ludeke said yesterday.
"Everyone was happy to welcome them back. They inject great energy to the team," he added.