Western Province v Golden Lion

Lions scrumhalf Ross Cronje in action against Western Province. Photo: Chris Ricco/ BackpagePix

Western Province v Golden Lions: Preview, Head to head, team news, kick off and live stream

A tough one to call.

Western Province v Golden Lion

Lions scrumhalf Ross Cronje in action against Western Province. Photo: Chris Ricco/ BackpagePix

The second Currie Cup semi features north vs south as Western Province welcome the Golden Lions to Newlands on Saturday.

The Lions are the stronger team on paper with a starting lineup boasting five Springboks who were part of this year’s Rugby Championship. Talismanic hooker, Malcom Marx will be the man the home side will be weary off as he returns to the scene of his dominant performance against the All Blacks earlier this month.

Form guide

Both sides appear to be peaking at the right time and Province will be buoyed by their recent away win against the Sharks who are the form team in the competition

However, the Lions might have a slight psychological edge after winning the last encounter between the two sides which was as recent as two weeks ago.

Head to head

The Joburg side’s most recent Newlands memory is not a particularly good one as they were convincingly beaten by the home side, going down 39-3 back in August, before returning the favour, winning 28-20 on their home turf.

Their only encounter from last season saw the Lions run rampant at Ellis Park, clinching it 58-32.

Teams

Western Province

Starting XV: Dillyn Leyds, Seabelo Senatla, EW Viljoen, Huw Jones, Ruhan Nel, Robert du Preez, Dewaldt Duvenaghe, Nizaam Carr, Kobus van Dyk, Jaco Coetzee, JD Schickerling, Chris van Zyl (captain), Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, JC Janse van Rensburg.

Replacements: Ramone Samuels, Ali Vermaak, Frans van Wyk, Jan de Klerk, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Jano Vermaak, Werner Kok, Damian Willemse.

Golden Lions

Starting XV: Andries Coetzee, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Harold Vorster, Courtnall Skosan, Jaco van der Walt, Ross Cronje, Kwagga Smith, Cyle Brink, Len Massyn, Marvin Orie, Andries Ferreira, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen (captain).

Replacements: Robbie Coetzee, Dylan Smith, Jacobie Adriaanse, Rhyno Herbst, Marco Jansen van Vuuren, Sylvian Mahuza, Ashlon Davids, Robert Kruger.

Kick off and live stream

The game kicks off at 17:00 and will be broadcast live on Supersport 1 (SS1).

Also read: Sharks v Blue Bulls: Preview, head to head, team news, kick off and live stream