Released Springboks get much-needed minutes starting for Bulls and Sharks in the Currie Cup

Jared Wright 29 Aug 2024 2:13 PM

Split image of Springboks Makazole Mapimpi and Canan Moodie. — Canan Moodie and Makazole Mapimpi will be in action this weekend.

Several Springboks will get some much-needed game time in the Currie Cup after being released by Rassie Erasmus ahead of the first Test match against the All Blacks.

After naming his squad to tackle New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday, Erasmus confirmed that four players had been released back to their provincial unions, namely Steven Kitshoff, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie and Makazole Mapimpi.

It’s a timely boost for the provincial teams ahead of the penultimate round of the tournament.

Springboks start in the Currie Cup

John Plumtree has taken over the coaching reins from JP Pietersen for the remainder of the Currie Cup and the head coach has added Springboks firepower to his starting XV to tackle the Griffons.

Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi claims a starting role on the wing after being released by Erasmus and is joined in the back-three by newly capped Springbok Jordan Hendrikse who makes his Sharks debut at fullback. Eduan Keyter completes the back three while ex-Springboks centre Francois Venter is joined by rising star Ethan Hooker in the midfield.

In the pack, new signing Emmanuel Tshituka starts on the flank with captain Nick Hatton at number eight and James Venter at openside. Corne Rahl and Reniel Hugo pack are the starting locks while ex-Springbok prop Ruan Dreyer makes his Sharks debut at tighthead and is joined in the front row by hooker Fez Mbatha and prop Brram Reynecke.

Dylan Richardson, Dian Bleuler, Hanro Jacobs, Emile van Heerden, Vincent Tshituka, Tian Meyer, Siya Masuku and Litelihle Bester are all named on the bench.

Meanwhile, Springboks flyer Canan Moodie has been named at fullback for the Bulls’ clash with the Lions on Friday. Katlego Letebele and Stravino Jacobs take up the starting winger roles while there is a double ‘Smit’ midfield as Chirs features at inside centre and Cornel on his outside. Bernard van der Linde and Jaco van der Walt are the starting nine and ten, respectively.

Nizaam Carr captains the team from openside flanker and makes up a fierce loose trio with Corné Beets and Celimpilo Gumede. Merwe Olivier and Sintu Manjezi are the starting locks as Dylan Smith, Joe van Zyl, Khutha Mchunu complete the pack.

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Currie Cup fixtures

Griquas v Cheetahs

Griquas: 15 Connor Mahoney, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Sak Makata, 10 Lubablo Dobela, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt (c), 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Dandre Delport, 1 Leon Lyons
Replacements: 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Albert Lineberg, 20 Jac van der Walt, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Zinedine Robinson, 23 Jay-Cee Nel

Cheetahs: 15 Litha Nkula, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Daniel Kasende, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandrè Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Friedle Olivier, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Michael Annies

Date: Friday, 30 August
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Time: 15h00
Referee: AJ Jacobs
TV: SS Rugby

Bulls v Lions

Bulls: 15 Canan Moodie, 14 Katlego Letebele, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Mpilo Gumede, 7 Corné Beets, 6 Nizaam Carr (c), 5 Sintu Manjezi, 4 Merwe Olivier, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Dylan Smith
Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Tielman Nieuwoudt, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Ghudian van Reenen, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Mihlali Mosi

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Nico Steyn, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Morgan Naude
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Jarod Cairns, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Rynhard Jonker

Date: Friday, 30 August
Venue: Midstream College, Centurion
Time: 17h15
Referee: Morne Ferreira
TV: SS Rugby

Sharks XV vs Griffons

Sharks XV: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Braam Reynecke
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Litelihle Bester

Griffons: TBC

Date: Saturday, 31 August
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Time: 13h00
Referee: Paul Mente
TV: SS Rugby