The Boland Kavaliers/Natal Wildebeest and Western Province/Blue Bulls clashes look like the pick of this weekend's Vodacom Cup games.
The second round of the competition kicks off on Friday night when neighbours the Falcons and Lions do battle at Brakpan and culminates in the highlight on Sunday at Wellington where the Kavaliers will hope to get their first win.
The Falcons ran the Welwithcias ragged in Windhoek last weekend and won 76-7, in the process scoring 12 tries. On Friday night they won't have it that easy against a Lions team intent on keeping their record intact after having seen off the challenge of the Mighty Elephants last weekend.
On Saturday the attention shifts to Newlands, where traditional rivals Western Province and the Blue Bulls meet. Home captain Thinus Linee wasn't happy with the finishing in last weekend's victory over the Leopards and that's something he wants rectified this weekend.
"We had a surfeit of good possession, but we just couldn't round off our movements. The guys made handling errors when we were about to score and in many instances over-eagerness cost us tries," the centre said.
"At this level the youngsters should learn to be patient and use the try-scoring opportunities," he added. He said the score flattered the Leopards and that WP should have scored many more tries.
The former Springbok centre was happy with the scrummaging, but expressed concern about the lineouts. "There was a big problem, but we've worked hard on that. The throwing, communication and the support play weren't up to scratch."
Linee expects a tough challenge from the Bulls. "We need to be much more effective on the attack if we want to pull this one off. Our second-phase possession should be cleaner and quicker. Our backs should also be more effective, because last weekend we weren't sharp enough.
"We will look to dominate up-front, because we know it's going to be a big game for a lot of the youngsters. The Bulls have an experienced team, but we are ready for them. I just hope our supporters flock to the stadium to come watch the game."
At Telkom Park in Port Elizabeth, the Mighty Elephants will have an uphill battle against the rampant Free State Cheetahs, who accounted for the strong Kavaliers last weekend.
The Cheetahs are a well-drilled unit and although a better performance could be expected form Allister Coetzee's men at home, the defending champions should prevail. The Elephants will be without Marius Mostert, who has been called up for Vodacom Super 12 duty by the Cats.
The Pumas are out to make up for last weekend's defeat against the Border Bulldgos when they take on the Leopards at Witbank on Saturday. They have brought back veteran scrumhalf Conrad Breytenbach in one of two changes to the side of last weekend.
Tighthead prop Hakkies Swart got the boot and Kobus Nolan will anchor the scrum against the Leopards. Pumas coaches Chris Buitendach and Danie Gerber were not happy with the result in the first game.
"We won everything except the game," Gerber said. "Our scrummaging was below standard and we made a lot of errors at the back. The only comfort we can take out of that game is that things can only get better against the Leopards."
In Windhoek an interesting game is on the cards when the Welwitchias and Griffons meet. The home team suffered a heavy defeat last weekend at the hands of the Falcons.
The Griffons didn't concede as many points, but also had to return home with a defeat. Both teams would be desperate to open their account.
Griquas make their first appearance of the season when they visit the Eagles of South Western Districts at George. The visitors have warned that they haven't forgotten last year's 47-17 defeat in the Currie Cup.
The Eagles are playing their first home game under the coaching of Eric Sauls. They want to make a good impression after coming unstuck in Pretoria in the first round.
At Wellington on Sunday, the Boland Kavaliers should have the upper hand against the Natal Wildebeest, who will be without Springbok stars Gaffie du Toit and Andre Snyman.
The visitors, however, have Justin Swart back, who would want to show his disappointing performance for the Sharks against the Bulls was a slight mishap. Former Wildebeest wing Dewald Femboes has been selected to replace John Daniels, who is on Stormers duty.
Teams for Ellis Park:
Falcons: Dawie du Toit; John Nelson, Ettienne Botha, Joe Esterhuizen, Turtius Douw, Louis van Rensburg, Deon de Kock; Kurt Steinbach, Naas Rossouw, Jaco Booysen (capt, Elton Pietersen, Stephan Britz, Wikus Botha, James Dalton, Peer Dixon. Substitutes: Skipper Badenhorst, Danie van der Walt, Jaco Venter, Nico Luus, Freddy Roberts, Ken Ford, Piet Matthys.
Lions: Conrad Jantjes; Jannie van der Walt, Gcobani Bobo, Wikus Venter, Jaco Booysen, Andre Pretorius, Pietie Meyer; Johann van Niekerk, Walter Minnaar, Russel Winter (capt), Chrisjan van der Westhuizen, Fergus Pringle, Nick Moore, Michael Laubscher, Pietman van Niekerk . Substitutes: James van der Walt, Daniel Muller, Wikus van Heerden, Clark Roberts, Bennie Nortje, Eugene Marx, Jorrie Muller.
Referee: L. Booyse (BB).
Kick-off: 19:10.
Teams for Johann van Riebeeck Stadium:
Pumas: Marius Schoeman; Jacques Juries, Riaan Potgieter, Chris Kruger, Julian Ruiters; Nel Fourie, Conrad Breytenbach; Jaco Coetzee (k), Danzel Manuel, Torros Pretorius, Gerhard Laufs, Derick Grobbelaar, Kobus Nolan, Henry Kemp, Christo Bezuidenhout. Substitutes: Paul Hoffman, Hakkies Swart, Marco Wentzel, Frans Allers; Kat de Jager, Mike Marais, Christiaan Jacob.
Leopards: Patrick Pietersen; Riaan van der Berg, Mark Johnson, Kosie Jansen van Vuuren, Henno Mentz; Pieter Jordaan, Francois Janse van Rensburg; Johann Smith, Niel du Plessis, Isaac Treurnicht, Willem Stoltz, Brian Christians, Sampie Hendriks, Hennie Pieterse, Hannes Human. Substitutes: George van der Walt, Pierre du Toit, Werner Lessing, Bloues Volschenk, John Cooper, Rudi Muller, Dandre Gerber.
Referee: Marius Franken (GW).
Kick-off: 15:00.
Teams for Newlands:
Western Province: Donovan van Vuuren, Nico Alberts, Jean de Villiers, Tinus Linee (capt), Egan Seconds, Yazeed Manual, Ashieq Wise, Fiela van Zyl, Brood Ligthart, Ryno van Merwe, Thys Stoltz, Drikus Hancke, Eddie Andrews, Johan van Wyk, Piet Franken. Substitutes: Louis Loubser, Bertus Smit, Immanuel McKenzie, Johannes Conradie, Brent Russell, Jaco van Schalkwyk.
Blue Bulls: David Manuel; Rayno Hendricks, JP Nel, Tiaan Joubert, Hannes Venter; Jacques Schutte, Coenraad Groenewald; Chris le Roux (capt), Piet Joubert, Denzil Frans, Francois van Schouwenburg, Matt Frank, Sias Wagner, Danie Coetzee, Wessel Roux. Substitutes: Richard Bands, Piet Boer, Piet Myburgh, Danie Rossouw, Norman Jordaan, Jannie Booysen, Giscard Pieters.
Referee: J. Meeuwesen (EP).
Kick-off: 15:00.
Teams for Outeniqua Park:
Eagles: Bevan Fortuin; Darryl Coeries, Paul Treu, Jerome Muller, Keith Meyer; Rynard van As, Joggie Viljoen; Nico Breedt, Jandry de Lange, Rian Thomas, Johan Kapp (capt), Francois du Toit, Flippie Spies, Rich Verster, JC Roux. Substitutes: Patrick Bell, Raynn Bruce, Danie van Rooyen, Trevor Hall, Noel Oelschig, Bernie Hennesey, Manie du Toit.
Griquas: Henri van Niekerk; Scolla Scholtz, Lourens Venter, Edrich Lubbe, Jearus Nicholas; Quinton van Tonder, Christoff Lotter; Johann de Kock, Bertus Heunis, Solumzy Tyibilika, Slang Roux, Hanu Nel, Dawie Theron (capt), Tom Drewett, Riaan Olckers. Substitutes: De Waal Venter, Hedley Wessels, Nelis Swart, Bok Markram, Reginald Nutt, Garth Zandberg, Dennis du Plessis.
Referee: J. Panday (Bol).
Kick-off: 15:00.
Teams for Windhoek:
Griffons: Gielie de Swart; Douglas Kleinbooi, Brendall Brandt, David van Vuuren, Sacha Marot; Eric Herbert, Charl Blom; Jaco Gouws (capt), JJ Fredericks, Richardo Arnolds, Thys Louw, Bani Holtzhausen, Sarel Louw, Gustav Rademeyer.
Welwitchias: Glovin van Wyk; Dirk Farmer, Francois van Rensburg, Deon Gouws, Deon Mouton; Lorenzo Plaath, Riaan Jantjies; Pat Kotze, Herman Lindtvelt, J J Husselman, Robert Jearey, Jassie Genis, Joodt Opperman, Eben Smith, Fana Lambert. Substitutes: Carel Nel, Wolfie Duvenhage, Andries Blaauw, Phillipus Isaacs, Gerald Loubser, Du Preez Grobler, Ronaldo Pedro.
Referee: Deon van Blommenstein (WP).
Teams for Telkom Park:
Mighty Elephants: Justin Peach; Nardie Lombaard, Tobi de Jager, Christopher Slammat, Wonga Joka; Monwabisi Mdyesha, Albert Viljoen; Jacques Greeff, Heinrich Stride, Sean Plaatjies, Wayne Boardman (capt), Wayne van Heerden, Tjaart Coetzee, Vorster Venter, Dekado Jantjies. Substitutes: Basil de Coning, Pierre du Randt, Barry Pinnock, Nicky Smith, Willie Els, Ronnie Fourie, Fabian Juries.
Free State Cheetahs: Leon van den Heever, De Wet Oelschig, William Rorich, MJ Smith, Ferdie Wesso, Conrad Barnard, Neil Powell, Tokkie Kasselman, Gerrie Britz, Gromingo Mzunga, Andre Smit, Joe Beukes (capt), Dougie Heymans, Germaine Brinkhuis, Dirkie Groenewald. Replacements: Andries van der Linden, Vorster Zeilinga, Attie Stander, Schalk de Klerk, Heinre Jacobs, Ashwell Rafferty, Willie Nagel.
Referee: Mark Lawrence (Mpu).
Kick-off: 15:00.
Teams for Boland Stadium:
Boland Kavaliers: Lean van Dyk; Dewald Femboes, Piet van Zyl, WP Strauss, Ashwin Willemse; Riaan van Jaarsveld, Cassie Carstens; Henley du Plessis, Hannes de Kock, Jannie Coetzee (capt), Vion Wium, Heino Senekal, Andries Human, Dale Santon, Fabian Brandt. Substitutes: Martin van Schalkwyk, Pieter Terblanche, Henk Eksteen, Quinn Hough, Neil Papier, Chelton April, Connie Malherbe/Antonius Verhoeven.
Natal Wildebeest: Justin Swart; Clark Manuel, Helgrad Brink, Maso Bowles, Russell Bennett; Herkie Kruger, Dave von Hoesslin, Shaun Sowerby, Jonno Brayley (capt), Jacques Deen, Rob Linde, Johan Muller, Dom Sunjka, Ryan Fisher, Conrad Magiera. Substitutes: Eduard Coetzee, Mike Nel, Greg Rawlinson, Ryan Walker, Grant Oliver, Anton Pitout.
Referee: Andy Turner (WP).
Kick-off: 15:00.
By Andrew Koopman