Springboks Duane Vermeulen, Morne Steyn and Trevor Nyakane are in the team at the Bulls while the Sharks boast Lukhanyo Am, Sbu Nkosi and Thomas du Toit; watch the Currie Cup final live at Sky Sports Arena this coming Saturday from 12.55pm
Last updated: 28/01/21 5:53 pm
Duane Vermeulen will captain the Bulls in Saturday ‘s Currie Cup final
The Bulls will host the Sharks in Saturday’s Currie Cup final on Sky Sports, with World Cup winners Duane Vermeulen and Lukhanyo Am as captains on both sides in Pretoria.
Vermeulen’s Bulls won Super Rugby Unlocked at the end of last year, the South African domestic tournament that replaced the annual Super Rugby tournament that has been plagued by pandemic coronavirus infection.
The Bulls defeated the Sharks 41-14 through that contest in October, which followed a 49-28 victory for Jake White ‘s side in the friendly the previous month.
However, the Sharks sought revenge in the form of the 32-29 Currie Cup victory in Durban last month, courtesy of the late Yaw Penxe ‘s effort from a Curwin Bosch crossbar kick.
Last week the Bulls beat the Lions 26-21 in their semi-final in Pretoria, with White saying after: “We have secured a place in the final but we still have 80 minutes. to play.
Vermeulen and Lukhanyo Am were teammates in the Springboks Rugby World Cup victory, but they will retire in challenging camps this weekend
“There is no second chance in play-off rugby and our opponents are just as willing to pick up this prestigious award. Our job is to prevent this and ensure that the Currie Cup returns to Loftus Versfeld. “
White has made only one change to his squad this week, hook Johan Grobbelaar getting the nod ahead of Schalk Erasmus, who will provide cover on the bench.
In the back line, Morne Steyn ‘s experience will be crucial for the Bulls, as will Stravino Jacobs’ electric speed, who scored two tries in the semi – final. The player, who turns 21 next month, played for South Africa U20 last year and Springboks Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers and Handre Pollard from the same school won the 2019 World Cup.
Bulls Kurt-Lee Arendse has seven flying stars on the right wing, as well as former Munster player Arno Botha, covering the loose heads on the bench.
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Meanwhile, Sharks coach Sean Everitt has named the same 23-day defeat that defeated Western Province in their replay last week, making just one change on the front-run side. as Jaden Hendrikse starts ahead of Sanele Nohamba at the scrum-half.
“We are delighted to have secured a place in the final but we accept that we have a great designation at Loftus on Saturday afternoon,” said Sharks No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe. , especially since not many players in our squad have been in finals, so this is a special occasion. “
The battle of the front row will be terrifying, with Springboks Trevor Nyakane and Thomas du Toit wearing the No. 3 jerseys on Saturday, and Ox Nche and Lizo Gqoboka are two young heads who want to make a good impression to Rassie Erasmus after the retirement of veterans. Bok prop forwarded Tendai Mtawarira.
“I need to add to our portfolio for the toughness and energy they showed last week,” Notshe said. “But we know we are up against a Bulls pack that is good average and we need more of that effort this coming Saturday. “
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Colonel Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 1 Lizo Gqoboka, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Elrigh Louw, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c).
Transplants: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jan Uys, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marnus Potgieter.
Shark: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 1 Ox Nche, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 6 Dylan Richardson, 7 Henco Venter, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
Transplants: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Manie Libbok.