1
Currie Cup sides cash in on return of released Springboks
By Josh Raisey
South Africa wings Canan Moodie and Makazole Mapimpi have been selected to start for their respective Currie Cup sides this weekend after being released by the Springboks.
Moodie has been selected to start at fullback for competition leaders the Blue Bulls against second-place Lions on Friday in a crunch fixture, while Mapimpi will start on the left wing for the Sharks on Saturday against the winless Griffons.
The Springboks announced on Wednesday that the pair had been released from camp "to get game time" after the squad that will take on the All Blacks at Ellis Park in the Rugby Championship was announced.
They were part of a quartet of released players alongside Western Province duo Steven Kitshoff and Manie Libbok. With Western Province due to face the Pumas on Sunday, the team is yet to be named but it is likely that they will also start at the Danie Craven Stadium.
The return of some Springboks has come at an opportune time for Currie Cup sides with only two rounds remaining before the semi-finals, particularly the Sharks, who sit in third place but only two points ahead of the fifth-place Pumas.
Bulls XV
1. Dylan Smith
2. Joe van Zyl
3. Khuthazani ‘Khutha’ Mchunu
4. Cyle Brink
5. Sintu Manjezi
6. Nizaam Carr (c)
7. Corné Beets
8. Celimpilo ‘Mpilo’ Gumede
9. Bernard van der Linde
10. Jaco van der Walt
11. Stravino Jacobs
12. Chris Barend Smit
13. Cornel Smit
14. Katlego Letebele
15. Canan Moodie
Replacements
16. Juann Else
17. Tielman Nieuwoudt
18. Mornay Smith
19. Jannes Kirsten
20. Merwe Olivier
21. Keagan Johannes
22. Lionel Mapoe
23. Mihlali Mosi
Sharks XV
1. Abraham Reyneke
2. Fez Mbatha
3. Ruan Dreyer
4. Corne’ Rahl
5. Reniel Hugo
6. James Venter
7. Emmanuel Tshituka
8. Nick Hatton (Captain)
9. Bradley Davids
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Francois Venter
13. Ethan Hooker
14. Eduan Keyter
15. Jordan Hendrikse
Replacements
16. Dylan Richardson
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Hanro Jacobs
19. Emile van Heerden
20. Vincent Tshituka
21. Tian Meyer
22. Siya Masuku
23. Lili Bester
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Wallaby reacts to the return of All Blacks enforcer Ethan de Groot
3
URC title-winning boss Franco Smith predicts this season's dark horses
4
Why South Africans are so sought after around the world
5
Latest Comments
Nah hes a journeyman. Right call
Go to commentsAgreed for the most part. And perhaps Dmac needed a period were he is the 'Hobson's choice' too.
Yes and no, they main concern I had from the situation is Razor didn't really explain why they had developed differing opinions, had he? I've seen too many things happen in life to jump the gun. Fall all we know it was a locked in choice before they found the difference last year and played out this year to see if they were recoverable. I can certainly see where it would be a valid criticism to suggest he spent too much time reviewing his players tripping overseas and not enough work with his team at that time. But things like Tony Brown not even being contacted in the lead up to the naming of the squad are endemic in the union, and for much just as much blame should be laid on someone like Wayne Smith. Some like Mitch would have been aval at the same time too I'd think.
Ultimately I see MacDs time at the Blues much as I saw Ian Fosters time at the Chiefs. Heavily overshadowed by their successors but you could find something good in there if you wanted. Same here. This will play out.
Go to comments