The fifth round of South Africa's revered domestic tournament kicks off in the Highveld on Friday, marking yet another weekend of enthralling Currie Cup action.

A rapidly improving Falcons side will host the embattled Western Province after the Cape side suffered a surprise defeat last weekend.

That result proved that experience and reputation mean nothing in the Currie Cup, which continues to provide peripheral viewing pleasure amidst the absorbing international battles of the Tri-Nations.

The Cavaliers will host the irrepressible Blue Bulls in Wellington on Saturday, whilst the Griquas will be looking to pose another upset when they face the Lions on their hostile home turf in Kimberley.

The final clash this weekend sees the 2007 champions (Cheetahs) host the log-leaders (Sharks) in Bloemfontein, providing an attractive display of some of the competition's biggest guns.

Details of this weekend's fixtures are as follows:

Friday, July 18

Falcons vs WP
Bosman Stadium, Brakpan, 7.10pm (5.10pm GMT)

The Falcons get a home game after two impressive away performances against stronger unions, the Sharks and the Lions respectively.

Falcons coach Rudy Joubert has a resourceful and experienced bench going into this encounter against a wounded Western Province outfit, with some minimal forced changes in the hope of gaining some continuity. The Falcons had an impressive tally of line breaks against the Sharks and will certainly be looking to ruffle some Cape feathers.

WP endured a disappointing loss to the Griquas on a hardened Griqualand turf last weekend, and will be better adjusted to the drier conditions as the experienced Cape Town side enter the Highveld dust bowl on Friday.

WP coach Allister Coetzee has made just one change in the forwards and two to his backline, with Naas Olivier back from the French circuit to cover for the pivotal number 10 Willem De Waal.

"What we didn't realise was how hard Griquas were going to come back at us (last week), and that's something we must bear in mind in Brakpan. You can expect the Falcons to challenge us for the full 80 minutes," said Coetzee.

Prediction: The Falcons would have singled out WP's weaker areas playing in drier, hostile conditions, and look to continue their progressive attacking game. But the Cape side would have done their homework too — will hold up to the onslaught and will hit back with interest. Western Province to win by 14 points.

Teams:

Falcons: 15 Nicky Kritzinger, 14 Dewald Pretorius, 13 Rouan Cloete, 12 Hanno Coetzee (captain), 11 Johan Swartz, 10 Len Olivier, 9 Gerrie Odendaal, 8 Sean Plaatjies, 7 Warren Perkins, 6 Reg Muller, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Wouter Moore, 3 Nico Pretorius, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Frik Venter.
Replacements: 16 Jody Jeneker, 17 Rassie van Vuuren, 18 Reggie Perkins, 19 Emile Verster, 20 Freddie van Zyl, 21 Jeff Perkins, 22 Dean Bergsteedt.

Western Province: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 PJ Vermeulen, 12 Gcobani Bobo (captain), 11 Wylie Human, 10 Willem De Waal, 9 Dewald Duvenage, 8 AJ Venter, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Justin Melck, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Pieter Louw, 19 Conraad Britz, 20 Alastair Siegelaar, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Morgan Newman.

Referee: Marius Jonker
Touch judges: Stuart Berry, Lappies Labuschagne
TMO: Willie Roos

Saturday, July 19

Boland vs Blue Bulls
Boland Stadium, Wellington, 3pm (1pm GMT)

The Cavaliers will host the Blue Bulls in Wellington, after a humiliating defeat at the hands of a vastly improving Lions outfit. Coach Deon Davids has made some interesting calls in announcing his match XV this week, the most noticeable omissions being two of his most powerful front-row forwards.

Sevens' stars Stefan Basson and Renfred Dazel has also been moved to the wings, prompting speculation that the Boland coach may be looking for some street credit in response to the Blue Bulls' devastating backline.

The Blue Bulls, though sitting in second place on the Currie Cup standings, have by far been the most impressive side this season — which was duly highlighted in last weekend's victory over the defending champion Cheetahs.

All eyes will be on Fourie du Preez this Saturday, who finally makes his way back to the starting XV as coach Frans Luduke looks to condition his World Cup scrumhalf back to full glory.

Bar Du Preez's inclusion the Blue Bulls will field the same full-strength backline which has been tearing through opposition this season. Francois van Schouwenburg replaces the legendary Danie Rossouw for this encounter and also promises to add valuable resource.

Prediction: The 'minnow' sides have been holding a tough fight in their home games this season, as Boland might rightly prove on Saturday. However, combinations and continuity are the key for the more inexperienced sides, especially when up against a notoriously physical outfit like the Blue Bulls — Deon Davids' may just have put his chips on the wrong numbers. Blue Bulls to win by 18 points.

Teams:

Boland Cavaliers: 15 Justin Peach, 14 Stefan Basson, 13 Piet van Zyl (captain), 12 Dewey Swartbooi, 11 Renfred Dazel, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Dries van Schalkwyk, 7 Henley du Plessis, 6 Whalied Heyns, 5 Bradley Mockford, 4 Frikkie Spies, 3 WP Nel, 2 Pieter Wium, 1 Jean Botha.
Replacements: 16 Clemen Lewis, 17 Janro van Niekerk, 18 Andries Human, 19 Cecil Kemp, 20 Zolani Mofu, 21 Neil Papier, 22 Kobus Meintjes.

Blue Bulls: 15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Marius Delport, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 John Mametsa, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Wikus van Heerden (captain), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Francois van Schouwenburg, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Juandré Kruger, 19 Jacques Burger, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Zane Kirchner.

Referee: Pro Legoete
Touch judges: Gareth Lloyd-Jones, Linston Manuels
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

Griquas vs Lions
Absa Park, Kimberley, 3pm (1pm GMT)

The Griquas were all-impressive last week when they squeezed a victory out of their home encounter with an experienced WP outfit, and will be coming into this game gleaming with confidence.

Griquas coach Dawie Theron, though, has been left with concerning casualties this week and announced a side with two forced changes. His combinations however remain amicable, as the boys from Kimberley will be anticipating an equally challenging encounter against the resurgent Lions.

"The Lions are a dangerous side at the best of times and are playing good rugby at present," said Theron.

"They are a well-balanced side, with plenty of pace and like to play the running game. But we're well-prepared ourselves and we can't afford to lose if we want to stay in the hunt for a semifinal place, he added.

The Lions on the other hand will start with two of their most formidable backline gunners, namely Jaco Pretorius and World Cup hero Jaque Fourie, the latter returning fully fit from injury.

Earl Rose's flawless boot this season will no doubt keep the points tally ticking over, as Eugene Eloff's Lions cautiously head to the Big Hole in search of a third consecutive win.

Prediction: The Griquas will stick to the formulas that worked and play on the hostilities of their home pitch. The Lions, however, would have learned from the mistakes of their Cape compatriots' and will no doubt look to getting more ball out wide for their venerable pace-makers. Lions to win by 12 points.

Teams:

Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Eagon Seconds, 13 Lafras Uys, 12 Herkie Kruger (captain), 11 Gavin Passens, 10 Conrad Barnard, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Heinrich Stride, 7 Stephan Gerber, 6 Gareth Krause, 5 Jacques Lombaard, 4 Wayne van Heerden, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 James van der Walt, 1 Albertus Buckle.
Replacements: 16 Bees van Dyk, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Cilliers Coetzer, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Tobie Botes, 21 Jaco Bekker/Bjorn Basson, 22 MJ Mentz.

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Jaco Pretorius, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Louis Ludik, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Dewald Senekal, 3 Lawrence Sephaka, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Alten Hulme, 19 Justin Wheeler, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Jaco van Schalkwyk, 22 Tshepo Kokoali.

Referee: Christie du Preez
Touch judges: Lourens van der Merwe, Marc van Zyl
TMO: Johann Meuwesen

Cheetahs vs Sharks
Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, 5.05pm (3.05pm GMT)

The reigning champion Cheetahs will host the log-leading Sharks in Saturday's final derby, as the only 'big five' clash of the weekend.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has made three changes to his side that went down to the Blue Bulls last weekend, with an added Springboks Sevens' injection for good measure and aiming to maintain their winning record over their KwaZulu-Natal foes.

The Sharks will have added motivation however on Saturday, as captain Johann Muller will earn his 50th cap for the Durban outfit.

With the extended absence of key men like Rory Kockott, Bradley Barritt and BJ Botha, the Sharks look forward to welcoming back other highly influential players, amongst them Frederik Michalak, in an attempt to toggle the record books and beat their bogey opponents in Bloemfontein.

"That's a huge task for us," said Muller, alluding to his team's recent record against the Cheetahs.

"But the boys are up for it and excited for the game.

"It's great playing in your 50th game for a wonderful union like the Sharks and a great honour, and hopefully we can make it a special one," added Muller.

Prediction: There's a bit more than territorial pride at stake in this game, so all eyes on Vodacom Park. The Sharks on paper seem the more resourceful and experienced side, but those boys from the Free State have something mystical in their diet.

Sharks to win a tight game by six points.

Teams: Free State Cheetahs: 15 Bevin Fortuin, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Chris Rossouw, 9 Neil Powell, 8 Schalk van der Merwe, 7 Hendro Scholtz (captain), 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 David de Villiers, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Jaco du Toit, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Phillip Lemmer, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Hendrik Meyer, 22 Fabian Juries.

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Chris Jordaan, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Scott Mathie, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Nikolai Blignaut, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (captain), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Skipper Badenhorst, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Robbie Harris, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Skholiwe Ndlovu, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Riaan Swanepoel, 22 Monty Dumond.

Referee: Mark Lawrence
Touch judges: Theuns Jonker, Peet Badenhorst
TMO: Michael Cupido

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