The only unbeaten team left in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division, the MTN Golden Lions, host the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday evening in a replay of the 2007-final.
After four rounds in 2011, the Golden Lions top the log. They were impressive in their victory over the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Pretoria last weekend and will want to build on that against the Toyota FS Cheetahs, who won the last of their four Absa Currie Cup titles (one shared) four years ago.
Toyota Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske is under no illusions about the importance of Saturday’s game for both sides.
“I would say the Golden Lions are the form team in Absa Currie Cup at the moment. They are playing superb rugby and it will be very difficult for us in Johannesburg,” said Drotske.
“We were under pressure after the two away-defeats to the Blue Bulls and the Sharks, but made up for it against WP last weekend. We do realise we probably let a good victory slip against the Bulls and would like to make up for that one.
“We’ve taken a lot of confidence from the victory over WP and after the tight defeat to the Blue Bulls, it’s what the players needed.
“Losing Andries Strauss and Hennie Daniller to injuries this week has been a setback, but luckily Corné Uys is an experienced replacement at inside centre, Robert Ebersohn is back at outside centre and Riaan Smit has gained a lot of valuable experience in Vodacom Super Rugby. I have a lot of confidence in these players.”
Last year in Absa Currie Cup:
- 14 August: MTN Golden Lions won 30-26 in Johannesburg
- 2 October: Toyota FS Cheetahs won 43-37 in Bloemfontein
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
