Currie Cup: Lions and Stormers headline crucial round seven in play-off race

The Currie Cup enters a decisive phase this weekend, with the Lions and Stormers opening round seven on Friday as teams battle to secure places in the semi-finals.

The Lions face Stormers XXIII at 17:05 on Friday, before the Sharks meet the Bulls later that evening. The Pumas host the Cheetahs on Saturday, while Boland Cavaliers welcome Griquas on Sunday.

With the fight for the play-off places tightening, another busy weekend of Currie Cup action is in prospect.

Lions v Stormers XXIII – Friday, 17:05

The Lions will be led by captain Jarod Cairns from number eight. Matt Coetzee starts at fly-half, while Asad Moos is selected at scrum-half.

Lions: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Keagan Smith, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Latica Nela, 10 Matt Coetzee, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Jarod Cairns (captain), 7 Renzo du Plessis, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Siba Qoma, 3 Ruan Swart, 2 Armand Combrinck, 1 Juan Schoeman.

Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Cecil Parsons, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Marco Ferreira, 21 Zian Cilliers, 22 Exauce Kevani, 23 Luke Cannon.

Stormers XXIII captain Ezekiel Ngobeni starts at scrum-half. Kyle Smith wears the number 10 shirt, with Eric Basson at number eight.

Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Luke Burger, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni (captain), 8 Eric Basson, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Xola Nyali, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo.

Replacements: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Luan Botha, 20 Gert Kemp, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Dominic Malgas, 23 Kian Davis.

Sharks v Bulls – Friday, 19:15

The Sharks select Ross Braude as captain at scrum-half, with Tim Swiel at fly-half. Hanu Pieterse starts at number eight.

Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Lyle Matthews, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude (captain), 8 Hanu Pieterse, 7 Meno Barnard, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka.

Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Danio Botha, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Juan Loots, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Albie Bester.

The Bulls’ starting line-up includes Keagan Johannes at scrum-half and Ian van der Merwe at fly-half. Chinedu Amadi is named at number eight.

Bulls: 15 Aka Boqwana, 14 Ruan Enslin, 13 Marnus Rademeyer, 12 Christiaan Vlok, 11 Riyaad Bam, 10 Ian van der Merwe, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Chinedu Amadi, 7 Cephas van Biljon, 6 Kebotile Maake, 5 Heinrich Theron, 4 Johnathan Eloff, 3 Arno Gustafson, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Sandi Msengana.

Replacements: 16 Jaundre Schoeman, 17 Damian Baker, 18 Duwan Potgieter, 19 Jacques Swarts, 20 Abongile Nonkontwana, 21 Dieter Schubert, 22 Brooklyn Newman, 23 Lavela Pongolo.

Remaining round-seven fixtures

The Pumas play the Cheetahs at 14:00 on Saturday. Both teams’ line-ups remain to be announced.

Pumas: TBA Cheetahs: TBA

Boland Cavaliers meet Griquas on Sunday at 15:00, with both squads also still to be confirmed.

Boland Cavaliers: TBA Griquas: TBA