Things to keep an eye on in this weekend’s Currie Cup action

It sounds like a cliche but there’s talk of a momentum shift in the Currie Cup this weekend.

And that power could lie with two unexpected parties: the embattled Blue Bulls and Lions.

Also read: Lions embrace their new generation of ‘black diamonds’

The two neighbours are probably just so sick of their poor form that they simply might feel things can’t get much worse for them.

And with the vulnerable Free State – whose first-choice players start their Pro14 campaign – possibly opening up the points race again, John Mitchell’s Bulls in particular can strike.

Here are the talking points for this weekend’s action.

Is Marnitz the man to ignite the Blue Bulls?

It’s no secret the men from Loftus want to become a more exciting team, one that plays attractive rugby.

But they’ve struggled to find a flyhalf to orchestrate things.

Marnitz Boshoff, who only joined two weeks ago, doesn’t necessarily strike you as the man for that job.

But then you’re forgetting something: for four years he fitted in pretty nicely at the Lions.

“Marnitz is ready to go,” said Mitchell.

“It’s important to get him started. He’s a good communicator. He understands where I want our attack to end up. And remember, he’s been in a system before where building pressure with the ball is the name of the game.”

It’s a valid point and makes one intrigued over whether Boshoff could help the Bulls find their mojo again, starting Friday evening against Griquas.

The Lions are (apparently) agonisingly close to clicking

Swys de Bruin isn’t a man known for pessimism.

That’s why there’s hardly any panicking within the Lions’ ranks over their lowly position – they’re stone last.

But last weekend’s last gasp loss to the Cheetahs have raised spirits.

“To be honest, we did everything to actually win that game,” said De Bruin.

“We simply lost it in one moment at the death. It’s a process, we just need patience. If we click, the results will come.”

There’s evidence to support that view.

The Lions dominated the Sharks before Robbie Coetzee’s red card and had more than enough possession to trouble Western Province if they simply made use of it.

While their opponents, the Pumas, are on a high after thrashing the Bulls, there’s a funny feeling the Lions might turn a leaf.

Sharks want a bite of wobbly Cheetahs

These are nervous times for the defending champions from Bloemfontein.

They’ve done the business by maximising their wins with their strongest squad but those men are now in Europe.

As a result, it’s expected that the Cheetahs might bomb.

That should be music to the ears of the Sharks, who are stable and look in decent form.

They’re playing at home too on Saturday.

However, if Daan Human can convince his Free Staters that the platform set by their Pro14 teammates is worth building on, this could become an interesting clash.

After all, what is a more dangerous prospect than a confident underdog?