SA Currie Cup XV v Kenya - Teams and Prediction
SPOTLIGHT: Some of South Africa’s most exciting provincial players will be on display in the Champions Match against Kenya, in a pioneering clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
In a first for local rugby, fans were asked to select the team, and the players with the most votes from supporters across South Africa were named for this historic match against Kenya.
Due to a number of withdrawals, two additions were made to the group announced last week. Bulls prop Mhleli Dlamini and his provincial teammate Joe van Zyl (hooker) were added to the replacements.
The composite side have been training under the watchful eye of Jake White, the Bulls’ director of rugby, and his coaching staff in Pretoria the past few days.
Kenya arrived on Wednesday afternoon and immediately resumed their training schedule after settling into their Pretoria base. Both sides will conclude their preparations with their respective captain’s runs on Friday at Loftus.
A limited number of fans will also be allowed to attend the match after COVID-19 restrictions were recently eased.
Edgar Rathbone, the CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, said they are excited about the prospects of welcoming fans back to Loftus.
“After an extended period of playing matches with no crowds at Loftus Versfeld, we are thrilled to be able to accommodate spectators again to watch this unique match,” said Rathbone.
“We look forward to welcoming our spectators, the Champions Team and Kenya to Loftus.
“Having Government allowing us to accommodate 2 000 people is a step in the right direction, and we are confident that in the near future we will see this number increase and we will soon be able to see a full Loftus Versfeld again.”
According to Rathbone, it is imperative that everyone – from stadium hosts to spectators and media – adhere to all guidelines and protocols, as per the recent Government Gazette.
Prediction:
@rugby365com: SA Currie Cup XV by five points
Teams:
Currie Cup XV: 15 Sibongile Novuka, Werner Kok, 13 Chris Smit, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 PJ Steenkamp, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Schalk Erasmus, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mhleli Dlamini, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Stedman Gans
Non-playing replacements: 24 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 25 Chad Solomon, 26 Leolin Zas, 27 Ginter Smuts, 28 Tian Meyer, 29 Ashlon Davids, 30 Marius Louw
Kenya squad:
Forwards: Ian Njenga, Joshua Chisanga, Andrew Siminyu, Eugene Sifuna, Griffin Musila, Boniface Ochieng, Ephraim Oduor, Patrick Ouko, Joseph Odero, Malcolm Onsando, Thomas Okeyo, George Nyambua, Dan Sikuta (captain), Brian Juma, Fidel Oloo, Steve Sakari, Elkeans Musonye.
Backs: Barry Robinson, Brian Wahinya*, Jone Kubu, Brian Tanga, Derrick Ashiundu*, John Okoth, Vincent Onyala, Samuel Asati, Peter Kilonzo, Darwin Mukidza (vice-captain), Jacob Ojee, Isaac Njoroge, Andrew Matoka.
Date: Saturday, November 6
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 13.00 (11.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni