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Cup heads to the communities
Posted Thu, 06 Mar 2008
Vodacom Cup rugby will visit three smaller venues at the weekend as part of the competition’s ambition of taking the game into the community.
South Section log leaders, the Free State Cheetahs will host the Leopards in Hoopstad, South Africa’s richest maize producing district situated between Bloemfontein and Welkom.
On Saturday, the SWD Eagles will host the Griffons at the Rustdene Sports Grounds in Beaufort West in the Karoo and Western Province take the game into the suburbs when they meet the Valke at Brookside, home of Villager Rugby Club in Claremont.
The weekend action kicks off at 7pm on Friday when the Border Bulldogs host the Golden Lions at the Absa Stadium in East London.
Both sides are without a win after two rounds, which should make for an interesting clash.
On current form, the Lions will start as favourites despite playing away from home.
They had the chance to win both of their previous matches against Free State and WP and it could possibly be third-time lucky for them against a Bulldogs side that is struggling.
A packed programme sees six matches taking place on Saturday.
The most exciting clash of the day is expected to be at Boland Park in Wellington where the Cavaliers host the Pumas.
Both teams are unbeaten after making a strong start to the new season and a tough encounter is on the cards.
Boland will want to put their home advantage to good use and force the Pumas to work hard for every point.
There is not likely to be more than a few points between them at full time.
Reigning champions Griquas travel to Durban to face the Wildebeest at the Absa Stadium.
The men from Kimberley sent a clear warning in beating the Eagles last week that they will not surrender their crown easily.
The Wildebeest, with two losses from two starts, will be hard pressed to secure a win against a gritty Griquas side that gives very little away.
The Cheetahs have also made a solid start with two wins from two and they will provide a stern test for the Leopards, who went down at home last week against the Cavaliers.
Like Free State, WP has won both of their matches to date and they should have too much firepower for a Valke team that is still looking for its first win of the campaign.
Last season’s Currie Cup First Division champions, the SWD Eagles started their 2008 season with a good win over the Blue Bulls but slipped up against Griquas last week.
They will be looking to get things back on track against the Griffons who will have been encouraged by their win over Border last week, which was their first Vodacom Cup win since they beat the Wildebeest in April 2005.
The Mighty Elephants host the Blue Bulls at the EPRU Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The hosts will be hard pressed against a young Blue Bulls side that has bounced back well after its loss against the Eagles.
The Blue Bulls 38-10 win over the Wildebeest last week will have given them confidence as they face a team that has taken heavy losses in their first two matches.
Fixtures:
Friday, March 7
Border Bulldogs v Golden Lions, ABSA Stadium, East London, 19.00.
Saturday, March 8
SWD Eagles v Griffons, Rustdene Sports Grounds, Beaufort West, 15.00
Mighty Elephants v Blue Bulls, EPRU Stadium, Port Elizabeth, 15:30
Free State v Platinum Leopards, 15:30
Boland Kavaliers v Pumas, Boland Park, Wellington, 16:00
WP v Valke, Brookside, Claremont, Cape Town 16:00
Wildebeest v Wildeklawer Griquas, ABSA Stadium, Durban, 16:30
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