The Sharks and DHL Western Province have already secured their home semifinals.
The clash between The Sharks and DHL Western Province will be viewed as a warm-up to the final as the teams are both set to host home semifinals next week, and have been tipped as the favourites to battle it out for the trophy. The fact that the winning team will finish the round-robin stages as the top team for a possible home final is expected to fuel their motivation heading into the clash. Interestingly the Sharks have won five of the last eight matches between the teams, with three of those wins being at home.
The return of the Springbok players in both camps has resulted in a handful of changes to the teams, with the Sharks welcoming back the Bok front row of Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira, while uncapped lock Pieter-Steph du Toit also earns a start. Bok utility back Pat Lambie has been included on the bench. Western Province coach Allister Coetzee also bolstered his team with centre Juan de Jongh, looseforwards Duane Vermeulen and Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth. Springbok captain Jean de Villiers, meanwhile, following his heavy work-load in the national team, has been named on a quality bench which includes the likes of Schalk Burger and Michael Rhodes.
- The Sharks: SP Marais; Odwa Ndungane, Tim Whitehead, Heimar Williams, Lwazi Mvovo; Fred Zeilinga, Charl McLeod; Keegan Daniel (capt), Jean Deysel, Marcell Coetzee; Pieter-Steph du Toit, Peet Marais; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira. Replacements: Kyle Cooper, Wiehahn Herbst, Stephan Lewies, Jacques Botes, Cobus Reinach, Pat Lambie, Louis Ludik.
- DHL Western Province: Gio Aplon; Gerhard van den Heever, Juan de Jongh, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Demetri Catrakilis, Louis Schreuder; Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi, Deon Fourie (capt); De Kock Steenkamp, Eben Etzebeth; Pat Cilliers, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Frans Malherbe, Brok Harris, Michael Rhodes, Schalk Burger, Nic Groom, Kurt Coleman, Jean de Villiers.
Absa Currie Cup Premier Division fixtures:
- MTN Golden Lions vs GWK Griquas at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off – 15h00 on 12 October 2013.
- Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs Vodacom Blue Bulls at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Kick off – 17h05 on 12 October 2013.
- The Sharks vs DHL Western Province at Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban. Kick off at 19h10 on 12 October 2013.
