The Carling Champions Match, which is arguably the biggest innovation in the rugby space, is almost ready for kick-off.
Carling Black Label, sponsor of the world’s oldest domestic rugby competition, The Currie Cup, has allowed fans to make their voices heard by selecting their rugby team to do battle with Kenya on November 6 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
With all the power in the hands of the fans, there’s never been anything like it in South African rugby. The Carling Champions Match is a celebration of a sport loved by millions of South Africans and a thrilling showcase that comes amid the Springbok Castle Lager Outgoing Tour and all the excitement of the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
The votes have been tallied and that team is finally ready to be revealed. Players from all seven of the unions campaigning in the 2021 Carling Currie Cup season were eligible for selection.
But with the Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks being the dominant forces over the past few seasons, it’s no surprise that the Champions Team is packed full of the men from Pretoria and Durban.
Vodacom Bulls hooker Schalk Erasmus leads the charge with the most votes, amassing an incredible 26 088 votes, and he is closely followed by his partner in the front row, prop Simphiwe Matanzima, who had 25 171 votes cast for his inclusion.
The pair is joined by Phumzile Maqondwana and Nama Xaba as loose forwards. Sigma Lions’ lock PJ Steenkamp and Durban-based lock Reniel Hugo also get their call-up, and the experienced Bulls loose forward Arno Botha and young loosehead Ntutuko Mchunu complete a powerful pack.
Vodacom Bulls scrumhalf Keagan Johannes slots in at number nine, and then it’s an all-Toyota Cheetahs affair in the backline, with Brandon Thomson set to run the game at flyhalf, and a centre pairing of Howard Mnisi and Chris Smit.
Bulls speed merchant Stravino Jacobs will start on the wing and fullback Sibongile Novuka provides the last line of defence.
Former Blitzboks standout and Sharks wing Werner Kok will be looking to produce his inimitable flair out wide with Jacobs.
Reach for Gold with Carling Black Label and the Carling Currie Cup. It’s a golden opportunity to find the champion within.
Look out for the glamorous reveal of the official Champions Team kit and the presentation of the team ahead of the crunch encounter on November 6.
