After having to fight hard to beat the Ford Pumas in Johannesburg last weekend, the MTN Golden Lions have a tough encounter in Kimberley at 15:00 on Saturday afternoon.
GWK Griquas are notoriously tough opponents on their home track and after their draw at DHL Newlands last weekend, the Peacock Blues will be looking ahead to another good performance against a more fancied team.
However, it will probably be brother against brother in the front row when the two Adriaanses, Jacobie (MTN Golden Lions) and Lourens (GWK Griquas), square off against each other.
They both went to Paarl Gymnasium and then Stellenbosch University, but have since left the Western Cape for the opportunity to play Vodacom Super Rugby and in the Absa Currie Cup. Jacobie is a tad under three years older than Lourens, but the younger brother is slightly taller (1.80m vs 1.78m) and heavier (115kg vs 112kg).
A man who knows all about the heat in the tight five kitchen, is Johan Ackermann, MTN Golden Lions assistant coach and a former Springbok lock.
“Griquas have traditionally been known for their superb pack of forwards and this year is no different. They boast a number of players with Vodacom Super Rugby experience and will test us upfront,” said Ackermann.
“Even with Sarel Pretorius injured, they still have quite a few dangerous backs as well, so we can’t afford to let the intensity slip like we did last week. Kimberley is not the easiest place to go and play and we have worked hard at eradicating our mistakes. We simply have to protect our ball better, otherwise Griquas can hurt us.”
Date: Saturday, 23 July
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: GWK Park, Kimberley
Referee: Craig Joubert
The last time these teams met in Absa Currie Cup: 11 September 2010, MTN Golden Lions won by 40-29 in Johannesburg
This weekend’s Currie Cup matches:
- Ford Pumas vs The Sharks: Friday, 22 July 19:00 at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
- Platinum Leopards vs DHL Western Province: Friday, 22 July 19:10 at the Profert Olën Park, Potchefstroom
- GWK Griquas vs MTN Golden Lions: Saturday, 23 July 15:00 at the GWK Park, Kimberley
- Vodacom Blue Bulls vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs: Saturday, 23 July 17:05 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- Tasol Solar Griffons vs Regent Boland Cavaliers: Friday, 22 July 15:00a at the orth West Stadium, Welkom
- Border Bulldogs vs EP Kings: Friday, 22 July 19:00 at the Buffalo City Stadium, East London
