Cheetahs are huge favourites against a Bulls side lacking much URC or international experience. I am backing the Cheetahs to comfortably over the -8.5 handicap.
Key Stats - Cheetahs in Good Form
- Vodacom Bulls XV have lost the last 4 matches.
- Vodacom Bulls XV lost 33-31 to the Pumas in their last match.
- Cheetahs have won 2 and drawn 1 of the last 5 meetings against the Vodacom Bulls XV.
- Cheetahs have won 3 of the last 4 matches.
- Cheetahs beat the Stormers XXIII 31–26 in their last match.
Dead Even
In the last five matches between these sides, it is level at 2-2 with one draw.
Bulls XV Struggling in Currie Cup
The Vodacom Bulls XV lost 33-31 to the Pumas in a fiery, error-ridden Currie Cup Round 4 encounter at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, after trailing 19-14 at halftime. Despite a fierce second-half comeback by the home side, the Pumas held on to claim the narrow victory.
Ill-discipline plagued both sides, highlighted by Bulls Abongile Nonkontwana receiving a red card for a high tackle. The Bulls mounted a strong second-half response with tries from Eloff and Mnebelele to level the scores.
The Bulls' late-game surge proved insufficient as the Pumas powered through a driving maul try late in the match to re-establish the lead.
Vodacom Bulls XV have been poor at the start of the season, losing their four matches in the Currie Cup. They lost to the Boland Kavaliers (24-10), Griquas (56-26), the Lions (42-19), and the Pumas (33-31).
Vodacom Bulls XV are eighth (bottom) in the Currie Cup table with three points after four matches.
Vodacom Bulls XV Team News
Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo confirmed that hooker Shaun Schuurmann and centre PA van Niekerk are ruled out for the remainder of the season with severe knee injuries. Club captain and flanker Nama Xaba is sidelined for the rest of the campaign due to a broken finger, while JJ Theron and Neil Le Roux are also unavailable.
Cheetahs to Bounce Back
The Cheetahs beat the Stormers XXIII 31–26 in a Currie Cup Round Four encounter at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, after trailing 14-5 at halftime.
With the score locked at 26-all late in the game, the Cheetahs maintained immense composure through nearly 30 phases before Faf de Klerk forced his way over in the left-hand corner after the hooter.
The bonus-point win moved the Cheetahs up to second place on the Currie Cup table.
The Cheetahs try-scorers were Prince Nkabinde, Neels Volschenk, Michael Annies, a penalty try, and Faf de Klerk, with Alex-Zander du Plessis adding two conversions.
Cheetahs have been in good form at the start of this season, winning three of their last four matches. They beat the Golden Lions (29-27), and the Sharks XV (43-21), losing to Griquas (24-21), before winning against the Stormers XXIII (31-26).
The Cheetahs are second in the Currie Cup table, with 16 points after four matches.
Cheetahs Starting Lineup & Squad
The Cheetahs face a massive injury toll with over a dozen players unavailable, including Faf de Klerk and Clayton Blommetjies, forcing coach Frans Steyn to reshuffle his match-day squad.
Starting XV: 1 Tebogo Nkosi, 2 Juan Smal, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 4 Arno van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 6 Daniel Maartens, 7 Simon Miller, 8 Neels Volschenk (c), 9 Rewan Kruger, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 12 Zander du Plessis, 13 Jooste Nel, 14 Michael Annies, 15 Cohen Jasper.
Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Curtly Thomas, 20 Sisonke Vumasonke, 21 Jandre Nel, 22 Tiaan Swanepoel, 23 De-An Ackermann.