Western Province vs Sharks promises to be yet another Currie Cup epic between two teams with an incredible pedigree in the tournament.
Western Province vs Sharks: Currie Cup semi-final
The second and third place teams have similar records, and both have caught flak for aspects of their play this term.
This match will determine which team are pretenders and which are contenders for the Currie Cup crown.
The Currie Cup semi-final will mark the first time Western Province and the Sharks meet this season after COVID forced both matches to be cancelled.
The hosts will also have a point to prove after suffering defeats in their last two Carling Currie Cup matches against the Kwa-Zulu Natalians, while they won only one of their last three matches against the teams at Newlands. The famous stadium could be hosting its last match on Saturday with Western Province Rugby set to move to the Cape Town Stadium next year.
“We have earned the right to play this semi-final at DHL Newlands and we want to deliver a fitting performance on Saturday,” said DHL Western Province head coach John Dobson.
“We have had time to prepare properly and we are fielding a number of settled combinations, so the challenge is to go out there and put together an 80-minute performance and secure our place in the final next week.”
Western Province vs Sharks – Currie Cup semi-final Live updates
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Teams
Western Province – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements (from): 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Jaco Coetzee, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Ruhan Nel, 24 Sazi Sandi, 25 Tristan Leyds.
Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Manie Libbok.
Western Province vs Sharks – Match Information
Date: Saturday, 23 January 2021
Time: 16:30
Venue: DHL Newlands, Cape Town
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni and Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Stuart Berry
TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby
