The final round of what has been a somewhat shambolic inaugural Super Rugby Unlocked tournament will be played this weekend.
Thanks to Covid-19 positive results among the Sharks’ tighthead props, the much-anticipated clash between the KwaZulu-Natal union and the Stormers in Durban on Saturday has been cancelled.
It was the third match to bite the dust in the tournament due to the pandemic sweeping the globe.
As a result, the Bulls have been crowned unofficial winners (all they need to do is avoid losing to the Pumas by 43 points – if that match even goes ahead).
Although the Bulls and Pumas are both adamant they want Saturday’s rescheduled match to go ahead, it remains to be seen if the Pumas can even field a team after Covid-19 cut a swathe through their squad last week, forcing them into quarantine and having to undergo further tests this week.
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Assuming the match does go ahead, below the dates, kick-off times, line-up and predications for Round 7.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21
BULLS V PUMAS, PRETORIA – 14:00
Bulls
15 David Kriel, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren
Pumas
TBA
PREDICTION: Could – and will – turn ugly for what will no doubt be an under-strength Pumas side who would’ve had ONE training session at best. Bulls by 30-plus points.
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CHEETAHS V GRIQUAS, BLOEMFONTEIN – 16:30
Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Howard Mnisi, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Junior Pokomela (captain)/Aidon Davis, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Boan Venter
Substitutes: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Oupa Mohoje, 20 Aidon Davis/Chris Massyn, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 William Small-Smith
Griquas
15 Masixole Banda, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger (captain), 8 Carl Els, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Mox Mxoli
Substitutes (from): 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Madot Mabokela, 19 Ewan Coetzee, 20 CJ Velleman, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Andre Swarts, 23 Daniel Kasende, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Sibabalo Qoma, 26 Ashlon Davids
PREDICTION: Should be a fun match with not a lot at stake apart from points to be carried forward into the Currie Cup next weekend. Competitive in the first half, Cheetahs to run away and win by 14 in the end.
SHARKS V STORMERS – Cancelled
BYE: Lions
