Vodacom Blue Bulls vs MTN Golden Lions MyZA

An 80 minute effort will be needed at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon if the MTN Golden Lions are going to beat their neighbours from across the Jukskei River in the Absa Currie Cup Gauteng-derby.

As one of only three unbeaten teams in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division, the MTN Golden Lions face their toughest challenge to date when they travel to Pretoria to play a Vodacom Blue Bulls side bolstered by the return of seven Springboks. This includes a full Bok front row in Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Dean Greyling.

The Golden Lions have included their solitary Springbok, flyhalf Elton Jantjies, in their side that will travel to Pretoria.

Johan Ackermann, forwards coach of the MTN Golden Lions, realises it won’t be an easy match, even though the Blue Bulls lost heavily to DHL Western Province in Cape Town last weekend.

Ackermann had this to say about the upcoming derby: “If we play as well as we can we can do it, regardless of the resistance we get. It is definitely a plus for the Bulls to have those players back, but it will also motivate us to give a good performance.

“We tend to have lapses in concentration in games. If you want to beat the Bulls you have to play for 80 minutes – especially when they’re back against the wall. But our main challenge is just to keep our own game at a high standard.”

Last year in Absa Currie Cup:

31 July: Vodacom Blue Bulls won 32-18 in Johannesburg
18 September: Vodacom Blue Bulls won 24-21 in Pretoria

Your Weekend’s Rugby:

5 August: Valke vs EP Kings, kick-off at 15:00 at Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park. Referee – Andrew Lees (Australia)
5 August: Platinum Leopards vs Ford Pumas, kick-off at 19:00 at Profert Olën Park, Potchefstroom. Referee – Lourens vd Merwe
5 August: GWK Griquas vs The Sharks, kick-off at 19:10 at GWK Park, Kimberley. Referee – Pro Legoete
6 August: Tasol Solar Griffons vs SWD Eagles, kick-off at 15:00 at North West Stadium, Welkom. Referee – Jason Jaftha
6 August: Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs DHL Western Province, kick-off at 15:00 at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Referee – Sindile Mayende
6 August: Vodacom Blue Bulls vs MTN Golden Lions, kick-off: 17:05 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Referee – Jaco Peyper