The Vodacom Blue Bulls, currently in last place on the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division log, return to the scene of last season’s biggest upset when they travel to Nelspruit to take on the Ford Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The Absa Currie Cup champions from 2009 are under huge pressure after they’ve won only one game out of their first four this season. Last weekend the log-topping MTN Golden Lions won at Loftus Versfeld, the Vodacom Bulls’ first home defeat since they lost to the Toyota FS Cheetahs in the third round last year.
But the Ford Pumas, who shocked the Blue Bulls in the very first Absa Currie Cup match at the Mbombela Stadium last year (22-21), are also under huge pressure. They are the only side yet to have won a game this season and only top the Blue Bulls on the log thanks to a better points’ difference.
“We’re under huge pressure, but there are still 10 games left to turn things around. But we have to start this weekend and the Pumas are the first team in our way en route to that goal,” said Vodacom Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar.
“We also have not forgotten what happened in Nelspruit last year, but for now it’s more important for us to try and improve our position on the log. We can’t give the Pumas time and space, and they can also fight back, like they showed against Griquas, so it won’t be easy. But a team like this one can’t be last on the log.”
Last year in Absa Currie Cup:
- 9 July: Vodacom Blue Bulls won 38-15 in Pretoria
- 27 August: Ford Pumas won 22-21 in Nelspruit
Rugby Fixtures this weekend:
- 12 August – EP Kings vs Regent Boland Cavaliers: Kick-off at 19:00 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth. Referee: Quinton Immelman
- 12 August – Border Bulldogs vs Tasol Solar Griffons: Kick-off at 19:00 at Buffalo City Stadium, East London. Referee: Tiaan Jonker
- 12 August – SWD Eagles vs Valke: Kick-off at 19:00 at Outeniqua Park, George. Referee: Pro Legoete
- 13 August – MTN Golden Lions vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs: Kick-off at 19:10 at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg. Referee: Jason Jaftha
- 13 August – DHL Western Province vs The Sharks: Kick-off at 19:10 at DHL Newlands, Cape Town. Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
- 13 August – GWK Griquas vs Platinum Leopards: Kick-off at 19:00 at GWK Park, Kimberley. Referee: Joey Salmans
- 13 August – Ford Pumas vs Vodacom Blue Bulls: Kick-off at 17:05 at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
- 13 August – Springboks vs Australia: Kick-off at 17:05 at Kings Park, Durban
