PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA Preview: Bulls vs Sharks

The two unbeaten teams in the PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA – the Bulls and the Sharks – go head-to-head on Saturday.

Last time out

Last weekend the Sharks followed up their thrilling victory at the Stormers in the first round by beating the Lions 34-26. Sean Everitt’s side played a part of the game with 13 men after yellow cards were shown to Thomas du Toit (prop) and Fez Mbatha (hooker).

The Bulls also made it two from two last weekend when Madosh Tambwe scored twice in their 20-16 victory over the Stormers, Jake White’s team had beaten the Lions in the first round.

Something will have to give in the evening fixture in Pretoria, where both the Vodacom Bulls and the Cell C Sharks will be looking to maintain their 100% start to the campaign.

What they said

“We’re looking forward to the match,” said Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who is also the top points’ scorer in the competition with 22 points (two penalty goals and eight conversions).

“I think it will be a good one between two unbeaten sides in the competition and the guys are excited for the challenge. I’m sure the Bulls players are too.”

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said: “We’ve had a few epic battles thus far and the Sharks will be keen to get one over us at Loftus as it is something they’ve yet to do. The forward tussle is going to set the tone, while both backlines are brimming with relentless talent so it should make for an exciting but hard encounter.”

Match information – Bulls vs Sharks

Date: Saturday, 15 May 2021

Time: 18h15

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Referee: Jaco Peyper

Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby, Paul Mente

Television Match Official: Marius van der Westhuizen

TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels

Bulls vs Sharks – Teams

Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Chris Smith, 23 James Verity-Amm.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Werner Kok.