The Blue Bulls and the Free State Cheetahs have named unchanged teams for their Vodacom Cup Final clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Friday.
Rugby365 reports that the Blue Bulls have included playmaker and flyhalf Burton Francis in a match 22 that is unchanged from the squad that took part in the semifinal win over Griquas on May 3.
Lock Mthumzi “Fudge� Mabeta has passed a fitness test and is included ahead of Juandre Kruger, who is on the replacements bench.
It could be a busy weekend for Francis, who was included on the bench for the Bulls’ Super 14 team last weekend and has been bracketed with Francois Brummer for the Bulls final Super 14 fixture against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Free State, meanwhile, will field the same match 22 that defeated Western Province in the semifinal at Newlands ten days ago.
The team includes three players who participated in last year’s Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week – the Ebersohn twins, Sias (flyhalf) and Robert (replacement centre) and fullback Wilton Pietersen.
Pietersen and Robert Ebersohn were part of the Springbok Sevens squad that won the last IRB Series tournament in Adelaide in April.
Friday will be the fourth time in five seasons that these two Provinces will meet in a domestic Cup Final. They contested the Absa Currie Cup final in 2004, 2005 and 2006, each winning once and the third final ending in a 28-all draw.
The Cheetahs are the reigning Currie Cup champions and if they are successful on Friday will make history by being the first team to hold both domestic trophies at the same time.
Free State captain and No.8 Ashley Johnson said the prospect of being dual champions was a great encouragement to his team. He said it was even bigger than the R1 million prize money.
“We see it as a great privilege to possibly rewrite the history books,� he said.
“The Blue Bulls will be the favourites after their win over us earlier in the season. But we will play with passion and pride in the Free State jersey,� added Johnson.
Both teams have won the Vodacom Cup once before, the Cheetahs in 2000 when they beat Griquas in the Final and the Blue Bulls in 2001 after beating Boland.
The Blue Bulls have been on the losing end in four previous Finals including last year’s nail-biter against Griquas. Friday is Free State’s second appearance in the Vodacom Cup Final.
Teams:
Blue Bulls: 15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 John Mametsa, 13 Braam Gerber, 12 Ruan Boshoff, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Burton Francis, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Carel Hoffman (captain), 7 Vincent Gwavu, 6 Okkie Kruger, 5 Mthumzi Mabeta, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Dean Greyling, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Rassie Van Vuuren.
Replacements: 16 Henri Bantjes, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Juandre Kruger 19 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Stefan Watermeyer, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Free State: 15 Wilton Pietersen, 14 Giscard Pieters, 13 Phillip Snyman, 12 Bernd Theissinger, 11 Howard Noble, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Jandré Blom, 8 Ashley Johnson (captain), 7 Nicky Steyn, 6 Albert Parsons, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Phillip Lemmer, 2 Jaco du Toit, 1 Ronnie Uys. Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Roché van der Westhuizen, 18 Marnus Briedenhann, 19 Pieter Gouws, 20 Jaco Colyn, 21 Divan van Zyl, 22 Robert Ebersohn
Date: Friday, May 16
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: François Veldsman
Touch judges: Sindile Mayende, Kim Smit
Television match official: Jenny Bentel









May 16th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Go Franscois Veldsman!!!!
May 16th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
:em48:
May 16th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
BlikOOre – where is the Oracle these days
May 16th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Ghost site,
moet al weer waai,
annerdag.
Come on Sharks!!
Trek vingeruitpoepoluit en
earn your money!
useless bastards.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Reply to Duiwel @ 6:42 pm:
Sorry
was busy with some stuff on the site.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Almost kick off time
May 16th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I didn’t even know Discard Pieters is still playing.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
JP Joubert thinks he runs the show.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Reply to Donner @ 5:37 pm:
Hey, we were in school together
May 16th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Penalty Blue Bulls. Not a fair call. Mametsa deserves an Oscar.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
3 – 0 Blue Bulls
There are a bigger crowd than for the S14 games.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Senseless kicking by Cheetahs. They haven’t watched the games today. Possession is king.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
The Freestate scrum is very solid. I guess Rudolf Strauli is at Loftus with his chequebook.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Another penalty to Blue Bulls. Cheetahs putting themselves under pressure.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
6 – 0 Blue Bulls
May 16th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Geez the Cheetah scrum is huge!!!
Is dit mieliepap en geen seks wat hulle so sterk maak?
May 16th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
That should have been a penalty for the Freestate.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Freestate get penalty 5 m out and they choose the scrum.
Does Johnson realise this is a final?
May 16th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Reply to Donner @ 7:27 pm:
Ek dog dit is die “Vry”-staat?
Maar wat ‘n Bul het net ‘n reukie 60 tree nodig om sy pligte na te kom!!!
May 16th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
TMO decision for possible try. I think it was a knock
May 16th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Knock on 5m scrum Bulls
May 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Television match official: Jenny Bentel
May 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Reply to redj @ 7:33 pm:
Reukie 60 tree
May 16th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Freestate miss kickable penalty
May 16th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Try Cheetahs
May 16th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
7 – 6 Cheetahs
May 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Halftime
May 16th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Where is Cosa now? They are talking to his favourite CEO.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
58 out of hand kicks already. Where is that paint?
May 16th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Try Blue Bulls
May 16th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
16 – 10 Bulls
May 16th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
19 – 13 Blue Bulls
More kicks made than tackles.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
22 – 13 Blue Bulls
YC for Cheetahs
May 16th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
YC Blue Bulls
May 16th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Try Cheetahs
22 – 21 Blue Bulls
8 minutes left
May 16th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
25 – 21 Blue Bulls
3 min left
May 16th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
TMO decision already 3 minutes of extra time
May 16th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
That is a Freestate try Still waiting
May 16th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Cheetahs robbed.
Blue Bulls win
May 16th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Ag kak man
brilliant defence by Bulls as ref tries to cheat the Cheetahs into a win
Bulls steal ball as the Cheaters go over the line
Well done and total congratulaions Bulls for beating 16 men with 14
May 16th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Did you manage to implement your idea?
May 16th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Robbed nè.
Nie gekyk nie, maar as jy
so sĂŞ, is dit seker so?
Klink my Jenny Bentel ken
nie haar rugby nie?
May 16th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 9:06 pm:
Nah. It is not available.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 9:05 pm:
May 16th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
To the okes who did not make it to the finals
May 16th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Reply to Donner @ 9:07 pm:
Damn…
May 16th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 9:06 pm:
Kak man
Sy was briljant
May 16th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Ja, kom daarvan as jy te veel
dwergies in die span het wat
nie kan tekkel nie.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Ref from the Cape
Figures that he’ll try and Cheat the Cheaters into a win 4 minutes after the hooter and then try and award the Cheaters a scrum after the hooter has sounded
May 16th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 9:10 pm:
O hel jy mag nie dit uitlap nie
Netnou word ons weer uitgekruit as “The Political Site”
May 16th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
As die Briesies en die Guppies
more met alles gelyk eindig -
punteverskil die lot – gaan die
Guppies deur. Omdat hulle die
ligawedstryd gewen het.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Wat het nou weer van
die Kadet geword?
May 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 9:17 pm:
Wag en jy sal sien
May 16th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Foooooooooooooookkkkkkkkkk, dit was close !
…..maar die Silver / Glassware staan in Pretoorsdorp vir ‘n jaar….
Lekkaaaaaa
May 16th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Reply to Donner @ 9:20 pm:
Donner
Mail my die inligting waar daardie aanmerkings gemaak is asb
May 16th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Gelulk GBS
Wonder waar ou Cosa is
Miskien is hy stukkend met gebreekte enkels en al
May 16th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 9:27 pm: Fanks !
Wonder wat gaan more gebeur met die 5 S14 games…
Ek hoop maar die Stormpies en die Tjarkies kry beide ‘n volle 5 punte elk en miskien dring altwee nog deur na die semi’s ook…. unlikely…
Goooooooo Redsssssssss
May 16th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Ja dit was taamlik close maar die Bulle rook nog steeds die Kubanse sigaars, al verdien hulle om so te doen of nie is n ander storie, maar so val die blare, Tjietas het meer van die volvaarte rugby gespeel maar ook meer voute gemaak, so op die ou end trek die Vodacom beker Tswane toe.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Ek hoop die Sharks sien hulle gatte en die Strompoies wen met ‘n bonus punt en die Tahs sien hulle gatte
Dit sal my dag maak
May 16th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Yo Skoppie
Hoesit
een miljoen redes om sigare te rook
May 16th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
So wat is volgende?
‘n Ticker Tape parade
deur Snor City se strate?
Miskien nie. Die trofee kan
breek, of gesteel word.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
As die Stormers deurdruk om semi’s toe te teenwoordig, sal dit ten spyt van die feit dat hulle nie n ordentlike voory het, miskien sal dit more veroorsaak dat ons die feit raak in die oog sal moet kyk.
Waarskeinlik het Sharks n beter kans om die SA vlag te laat wapper, maar as daar twee spanne is wat gaan deurkom sal dit eintlik bietjie van n verassing wees, en teen die graan van die hout.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Bulle is tops.
Verlede jaar S14
en saam die Sharks die RWB gewen.
Vanjaar die VC.
CC?
Silwerware versameling kom mooi aan.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Guppies gaan sukkel, hulle kurwe
loop steeds afdraand.
Nou het hulle AD en Barritt op
senter, en God’s Gift to Rugby
op die bank?
May 16th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 9:38 pm:
Kak man
Die trofee is gn niks Zimbabwean nie!
Hey hoe gaanit sammajoor!
May 16th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
God’s Gift to rugby kom uit Natal uit
Boertjie ek weet nie wat jy gedrink het nie
Of het jy iets uit die Flets uitgekry om te rook?
May 16th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Ek is vanaand so lus vir
maar ek weet nie waaroor nie.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Ja…..I heard the Bulls coach saying that they wanted to use the cash to help developement in the area?
Fark that!!!
Give the cash to the kids, send them out to blow it on expensive whores and booze!
Hell…send them to Moscow they’ll be shagging like wild animals all weekend long.
They deserve it!
May 16th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 9:43 pm:
Ek sĂŞ mos nie ek dink so nie –
net ‘n ander spul wat dink
Murray kan ook op water loop.
Net so kak as JP Nel.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Die talent basis deur die spanne is miskien net n bietjie te wyd versprei, die talent is volbaar teenwoordig maar in stukkies hier en daar tussen die 5 spanne versprei, die afrigters en amptenaars moet die wat die besigheid kan doen op internasionale vlak goed erken en n goeie versameling van die bestes in hul posiesies bymekaar trek om n sterk eenheid van SA rugby te ontwikkel.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Naand Edelagbare.
Boertjie watch mooi daardie 12 en 13 more. Dan praat ons weer.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Nee maar mooi, ou Rooies.
AD is nie sleg nie.
Murray is net pompende bene
en arms en fokol gebeur.
Soos om vir ‘n groot :em72: aan
te sit en dan net ‘n sesvoet poep
te los.
Weet nie of Barritt beter is nie.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Daar’s n klomp goeie spelers in die twee VC spanne, die Los Skakeltjie Francis van die Bulle, en die heelagter Pietersen van die Vry Staat het altwee my oe gevang, ek dink van hulle kan definitief op die volgende vlak kan uitblink, nie te groot n trap vir hulle om S14 te speel dink ek.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Yo StP
Howzit!
May 16th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Vir my is die battle van die naweek, die ene tussen die Lions senters en die Stormers senters…
Walter Venter & Mossie Fourie TEEN Jean de V en Bobo
Ek rate Walter Venter baie hoog……. net jammer die lions hettie ‘n scrummie & Losskakel wat justice kan doen aan die talent van Venter en Fourie nie……… ookie die regte agterste 3 combo nie
May 16th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Sammajoor
Die boerman is saam met die hoenders vanaand so in ‘n slegte bui
May 16th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Die Lions het min reg op die oomblik
Arme bliksems
May 16th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Reply to grootblousmile @ 9:53 pm:
Jip GBS – dit gaan goed wees om te sien.
Min Lions gekyk, maar die koerante
skryf Venter hoog aan.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Selfs hulle stadion is min of meer deur sy gat getrek met die 2010 opgraderings in volle swang
May 16th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Murray is glad nie doeltreffend nie, hy hardloop heen en weer op en af die veld maar slaag nooit om enige rigting te kry nie.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Moenie moun oor 2010 nie.
As dit nie daarvoor was nie,
het daar nĂŞrens iets gebeur
nie.
Die Kaap probeer selfs sy
permanente verkeersknope op
‘n paar roetes uitsorteer.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Reply to skopskiet @ 9:58 pm:
Is wat ek ook probeer sĂŞ het.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Reply to skopskiet @ 9:58 pm:
100% korrek
May 16th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 9:59 pm:
Ek voel ‘n vlieende fokkkkkk vir traffic…. my kantoor is by my huis…. ek hoef net so 1 of 2 hondedrolle te dodge op pad kantoor toe…
Hehehehe
May 16th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 9:59 pm:
Ja wel ons kry ‘n 300km/h trein
Wonder hoe gaan die dak surfers lyk as hulle van hom af val?
Of as ‘n scab sekuriteits wag af van een afgegooi word
May 16th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Olympic gold medallist Tim Montgomery has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for his part in a fake-cheque scheme.
==========
Fkn skelm gebore, skelm grootgeword.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Yep
Ben Johnson
Marion Jones
En meeste Sjinese swemmers
May 16th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 10:06 pm:
Probleem is net daai trein het nie
die kapasiteit om ‘n duik in ‘n
kasteroliedrol te maak nie -
newwermaaind aan die verkeersvloei
tussen JHB en Snor City.
Klink al meer na ‘n duur fokop.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 10:00 pm:
Ja Boertjie ons kyk waarskynlik die saak min of meer die selle aan, ook in verband met Barrit rate ek hom glad nie te hoog as sy guppie se fans nie.
Die Venter ou van die Leeus, en Jonker van Vrystaat, ek dink hulle het potensiaal, die afrigters moet mooi kyk en sien waar blink die egte diamante deur die strond, en haal hulle uit die gewone bederwe en stel hulle op n koers tot die volbaarhede van hulle beloftes.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
‘n Mens weet mos die manne moet nie te vroeg peak nie.
Murray en Barrit genoeg gewys in die verlede dat hulle dit het. Barrit verlede week ok gespeel. Watch!
Steyn en Adi reeds sterre.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Moenie ons eie Sidney Maree
vergeet nie.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 10:06 pm: Daai trein gaan ‘n verdomde wit olifant wees…….. fkn mors van geld…
……… plaas hulle die N1 tussen Pta en JHB met 3 bane weerskante toe verbreed het, die n3 met 2 bane weerskante toe, die M1 met 2 bane weerskante, die M2 ook met 3 bane weerskante….
…… een van die dae is daar fokkkkollllll verkeer want petrol is te duur…….
May 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Reply to redj @ 10:10 pm:
Ja, dis natuurlik hoekom JPP vanjaar
so baie drieë druk.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
En natuurlik daai footballer
“Watchoo mufuggahs mean dawg fightin’s illegal gawdamn”
May 16th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 10:11 pm:
Wat het Sidney toe aangevang?
May 16th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
OK mense ek gaan forkoffff
Groente
Goooooiiiii Mieliesssssssssss
Die lewe is ‘n liter !
May 16th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
SKOP
Ek het nie al die feite bymekaar
nie. Maar na sy atletiek is hy in
een of ander pos aangestel waar hy
die begroting kaal gesteel het.
Kan nie onthou of hy net gefire is
nie.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 10:12 pm:
JPP nog nooit gerate nie. Wel die ander.
Gautrein sal nooit geld maak nie, behalwe vir Chancellery House wat die kontrakte melk. Kos baie om ‘n politieke party te befonds, meer so noudat hulle uitgevang is op die Eskom kant.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Ek sien n oorwinning vir die Sharks en Stormers is nie genoeg om altwee in die semis te plaas, Canes reeds op 41 en Blues op 40, as die Waratahs more oggend wen is dit nesie verby vir een van die twee, Bonus punte is amper noordsaaklik, en ek wonder of die Stormers eers die Leeus op Ellis Park kan klop, nie te min bonus punte insamel.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Fkt Rooies, ek het nie geweet
jy is ook ‘n donnerse rassis nie.
Nou gaan al die Travelgate etters
ook skotvry.
En die Weaponsgate etters.
En die eenheid wat die bliksems
probeer vervolg het, word gesluit.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Skop
Die Briesies gaan die Welpies
opfok.
Die Guppies gaan op hulle se
moer kry.
My take.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Naand Gbs
Reply to Boertjie @ 10:20 pm: Hy was tot onlangs een van die komentaars vir die Games op SABC, ek het nie so n storie van hom gehoor nie, miskien kon hy nie sy hande uit die heuning pot gehou nie, wat weet ek?
May 16th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
SKOP
Berig uit 2005:
The National Empowerment Fund, which was relaunched in May last year with funds of R2bn, is meant to be government’s flagship for financing empowerment deals in the small business sector. But it is still somewhat in a state of disarray as its CEO, Sidney Maree, almost immediately resigned amid a “missing funds� scandal in September — and by December the fund had approved loans of only R13m.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 10:24 pm:
The more things change, the less they change.
Ook nie vergeet JZ se charges gaan gedrop word.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Hy was tot onlangs een van die komentaars vir die Games op SABC,
========
Wat verwag jy? Die hele regering
en al sy staatsbeheerde instellings
sit dan vol fkn skelms!
May 16th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 10:26 pm:
Hoop jy’s reg Boertjie, die 3.00 uur game is die enigste een wat ek nie kan kyk nie, ander vereenkoms op daai tyd wat ek net nie kan verander, so sal moet maar wag tot die einde om die resultaat te uitvind. Jammer vir my dat dit so uitwerk, dis die meers belangrike game wat ek die naweek sou gekyk het.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Die POLISIEHOOF is ‘n skelm!
May 16th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
OK – dit was my :rant: vir
die week.
Sallie weer nie.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Jammer as ek die bespreking hier bietjie gehijack
sallie weer nie.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Naand
nous ek uit
annertyd
May 16th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Nou ja, as niemand meer
iets op die blaas het nie,
fakawe ek ook maar.
Mag die regte spanne more wen.
:em58: