Currie Cup sides cash in on return of released Springboks

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