It’s set up perfectly, isn’t it?
On Saturday evening at just after 7pm the unbeaten pace-setters in this year’s Absa Currie Cup, the Lions and Bulls, will lock horns in a highly anticipated clash at Loftus Versfeld.
Both teams have won five out of five and only one point separates them at the top of the points table at the halfway mark – the Lions having collected every point on offer, 25, while the Bulls have 24, missing out this last weekend on picking up a bonus point against the Cheetahs.
It is the match everyone has been waiting for. Both teams have been hugely impressive so far; the Lions continuing their strong forwards-based domination of opponents and playing wide whenever they can, while the Bulls, under new boss Nollis Marais, have added a new attacking dimension to their game, with several young stars showing their mettle.
The Bulls will start as the favourites on their home ground, mainly because the Lions are set to be minus several first choice players who’re nursing injuries right now. World Cup discard Warren Whiteley is expected to be out for up to three weeks with a calf injury, while on Saturday, in their match against the EP Kings, Martin Muller and Anthony Volmink left the field nursing knocks.
It’s also uncertain whether flank Jaco Kriel will be available after picking up a leg injury 10 days ago.
Ackermann’s men went top of the table after scoring five tries in a fairly comfortable, but hard-fought win against the Kings at Ellis Park on Saturday, while the Bulls battled past a spirited Cheetahs side on Friday evening.
The two other teams to pick up wins in the Premier Division at the weekend were the Sharks and Western Province.
The men from Durban edged the Pumas in a scrappy encounter to get themselves back in the race for the play-off spots, but coach Gary Gold will know his side are far from playing the kind of rugby that will challenge the Bulls and Lions right now.
WP, meanwhile, also struggled somewhat to put Griquas away at Newlands; only a much-improved second half showing prevented John Dobson’s side from suffering what would have been a surprising defeat.
This weekend’s action gets under way on Friday with the Kings hosting the Cheetahs and if they’re able to replicate the form they showed against the Lions, they may have a sniff at picking up their first win.
On Saturday the Sharks and WP clash in Durban in what should also be a thrilling encounter. An intriguing match-up also awaits in Kimberley where the winless Griquas host the Pumas. - The Star