Blue Bulls could be vulnerable against Xerox Lions

July 29 - The Blue Bulls, like the Xerox Lions with only one win from three outings, will start Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup match against the Lions as favourites largely because they are defending champions. They have not yet impressed this season and seem vulnerable. In a match that will be a real derby between the old foes and neigbours, the Lions have an exciting backline for what could be a classic derby encounter. It will be will be up to the Lions’ pack to stand fast against the Blue Bulls who have not really controlled the first phases this season as they were expected to. In fact, it will be a concern at Loftus that both the Free State and the Sharks dominated the possession stakes in their matches against the Blue Bulls. If this is not turned around, the Bulls will struggle get their season back on track against a side that now has a self-belief despite winning only one of their three (all away) matches. The return of Springboks Dewald Potgieter, Francois Hougaard and Flip van der Merwe makes this an impressive Blue Bulls outfit. In what should be a good match, the clash between the two scrumhalves Hougaard and Jano Vermaak will be especially interesting – but all eyes will be on young Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies who makes his starting Currie Cup debut on Saturday. In his brief appearances from the bench, he showed quick distribution and if he repeats that behind a pack that will be up against it, the new-found continuity in carrying the ball could pay dividends for the Lions. With an improved defence, a belief that they can contest against the top sides and the proof of their performance up front against Western province despite a big defeat, John Mitchell’s side should not be taken lightly. Yes, the Blue Bulls are the favourites – but they are vulnerable and that should be exploited. **  Since 2005, the Free State Cheetahs have lost only three matches from 12 against the Sharks – and while that at a first glance makes them the favourites for Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup match in Bloemfontein, there is also the fact that the Sharks have won the two adversaries’ last encounter there 21-12 in the Premier Division – and that was last year. Five Free State wins from six in Bloemfontein will therefore count for naught as the two sides vie for log supremacy. On the other hand, the Free State have just come off that good win against the Blue Bulls last weekend and are, as they readily admit, “hungry” for success. The Sharks, to cash in on  their Bloemfontein win against the Free State in 2009, have to show that last weekend’s hesitant 27-17 win against the Pumas was an exception. It is a better Free State side than the one that lost their first match against Western Province. Their defence has improved beyond recognition, and while there still is room for improvement their defence coach, former Cheetahs and England fullback Michael Horak, has done wonders so far. The challenge for Free State will be to keep possession – and especially the keep turnovers to the minimum against a side where the likes of Keegan Daniel and Jacques Botes up front and a backline of great opportunism can run opponents ragged if given the opportunity. Free State did it with great success against Griquas and to their cost neglected it against Western Province, but it could well be their game plan on Saturday to play a territorial game through the educated boot of flyhalf Louis Strydom. ** It’s not a game to bet on with certainty, but the Platinum Leopards at home have from time to time sprung surprises. They play Griquas in Potchefstroom on Friday night – and away matches have never been the Diamonfielders’ strongest point, although they largely put that bogeyman to rest last season. The scrummaging of Griquas and the halfback paring of scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius and captain Naas Olivier should however keep Griquas among the top sides. ** For all their guts, the Pumas are unlikely to upset Western Province at Newlands on Friday night. Although one wouldn’t bet on a five-pointer for the home side, WP should at least come close to the needed four tries with a new-look backline that includes Springboks Juan de Jongh at outside centre and Gio Aplon on the wing. ** In the First Division the Boland Cavaliers are at home to the Eastern Province Kings in the Wellington on Friday. These two sides and the Griffons - who are at home to the SWD Eagles who have not hit their straps this season after a good 2009 - look the top sides in this competition. The result  in Wellington is therefore important in a competition where the sides play only 10 matches in their two rounds. One can expect the Kings, now that they have been accepted into what will be the Super 16 from 2013 onwards, to gradually up the quality of their rugby from now on with new faces already noticeable in their lineups as they slowly start pursuing their dream. The weekend’s fixtures are (home sides first): Friday: Premier Division: Platinum Leopards v GWK Griquas, 7pm; Western Province v Pumas, 7.10pm. Saturday: Premier Division: Free State Cheetahs v Sharks, 3pm; Xerox Lions v Blue Bulls, 5.05pm First Division: Boland Cavaliers v EP Kings, 4pm; Griffons v SWD Eagles, 4.30pm.