A second week of pre-season games sees a much fuller schedule with the match of the weekend being the Bulls traveling to London to take on the Saracens.
During the week there is time for the Blues and the Chiefs to get their preparations underway in Whangarei on Thursday.
The weekend kicks off with the Cheetahs taking on another South African Conference rival in the Stormers at Newlands on Friday after they succumbed 13 / 30 to the Bulls in Polokwane last week.
The Cheetahs will also have a B-team at home in Bloemfontein getting ready to face the Griffons the following day.
On Saturday, the New Zealanders have a go at each other as the Hurricanes host the Crusaders in Manawatu before the champion Waratahs play a mixed club and University side.
The Western Force will be looking to back up their good showing against the Brumbies when they take on an Asia Pacific Dragons team.
Meanwhile, the Reds will look to unleash the likes of James O’Connor and Karmichael Hunt against the Melbourne Rebels.
The Brumbies then cross their conference to face the Highlanders as one of the New Zealanders 4 warm-up matches, this before the Lions test their squad in 2 games against the Leopards and the Pukke.
Finally, the big match sees the Vodacom Bulls at Allianz Park to take on Saracens, with the men from South Africa hoping to succeed where the Sharks and Western Province could not.
All the pre-season action:
Thursday 29 January:
- Blues vs Chiefs (Toll Stadium, Whangarei – Kick-Off 19:00 NZ Time, 06:00 GMT, 08:00 SA Time)
Friday 30 January:
- DHL Stormers vs Toyota Cheetahs (Newlands Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-Off: 19:00 SA Time, 21:00 GMT)
Saturday 31 January:
- Hurricanes vs Crusaders (Eketahuna, Manawatu – Kick-Off: 15:00 NZ Time, 02:00 GMT, 04:00 SA Time)
- Waratahs vs Randwick / Sydney University / Parramatta (Granville Park, Sydney – Kick-Off: 13:00 AEDT, 02:00 GMT, 04:00 SA Time)
- Western Force vs Asia Pacific Dragons (McGillivray Oval, Perth – Kick-Off: 17:00 AWST, 04:00 GMT, 06:00 SA Time)
- Reds vs Melbourne Rebels (Barlow Park, Cairns – Kick-Off: 19:30 AEDT, 09:30 GMT, 11:30 SA Time)
- Brumbies vs Highlanders (McDonald’s Park, Wagga Wagga – Kick-Off: 19:00 AEDT, 08:00 GMT, 21:00 NZ Time, 10:00 SA Time)
- Emirates Lions vs Pukke & Leopards (Potchestroom – Kick-Off: 13:15 & 15:00 SA Time, 11:15 & 13:00 GMT)
- Saracens vs Vodacom Blue Bulls (Allianz Stadium, London – Kick-Off: 15:15 BST & GMT, 17:15 SA Time)
Wednesday 4 February:
- Toyota Cheetahs B vs Griffons (Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein – Kick-Off: TBC)
Thursday 5 February:
- Toulon vs Cell C Sharks (Stade Felix-Mayol, Toulon – Kick-Off: TBC)
- Melbourne Rebels vs Highlanders (Harlequin Rugby Club, Melbourne – Kick-Off: 18:30 AEDT, 07:30 GMT, 20:30 NZ Time, 09:30 SA Time)
Friday 6 February:
- Blues vs Hurricanes (QBE Stadium, Auckland – Kick-Off: 16:00 NZ Time, 03:00 GMT, 05:00 SA Time)
- Reds vs Crusaders (Ballymore, Brisbane – Kick-Off: 19:30 AEDT, 07:30 GMT, 22:30 NZ Time, 09:30 SA Time)
- Waratahs vs Chiefs (Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney – Kick-Off 19:30 AEDT, 08:30 GMT, 21:30 NZ Time, 10:30 SA Time)
Saturday 7 February:
- Boland Cavaliers vs DHL Stormers (Paarl – Kick-Off: TBC)
Friday 13 February:
- Highlanders vs NZ Barbarians (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin – Kick-Off: TBC)
The Toyota Cheetahs vs Griffons game, which was initially scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed and moved forward to Wednesday 4 February.
I am in Paris next week after a trip to Geneva on business
This is our off day next week, would be great to make it
Toulon vs Cell C Sharks (Stade Felix-Mayol, Toulon – Kick-Off: TBC)
2 @ Gena_ZA:
Phweeew, yes it would be great if you could go to that game!
Will try to give details though about the times for that game, soon as it’s available!
Soooo, Gena’s in Switzerland I see.
Hmmmm, must be checking up on his Swiss Bank accounts I think!
A man living in Sydney walked into the produce section of his local supermarket and asked to buy half a head of lettuce. The boy working in that department told him that they only sold whole heads of lettuce.
The man was so insistent that the boy went to ask the manager about the matter. Walking into the back room, the boy said to the manager,
“Some old bastard outside wants to buy half a head of lettuce.”
As he finished his sentence, he turned around to find that the man had followed and was standing right behind him, so the boy quickly added, “and this gentleman kindly offered to buy the other half.”
The manager approved the deal and the man went on his way.
Later, the manager said to the boy………..
“I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier, we like people who can think on their feet here, where are you from son?”
“South Africa, sir,” the boy replied.
“Why did you leave South Africa ?” the manager asked.
The boy said, “Sir, there’s nothing but prostitutes and rugby players there.”
“Is that right?” replied the manager, “My wife is from South Africa!”
“Really?” replied the boy, “What team did she play for?”
@ cane:
Toulon vs Sharks
21:50 – 00:00 CSN Toulon Rugby Rc Toulon v Cell C Sharks
21:50 – 00:00 SS1 Toulon Rugby Rc Toulon v Cell C Sharks
about the time we fly back…
@ Gena_ZA:
Change your flights – I would – not that I’m in a hurry to see the sharkievarkies – but NH rugger, yes
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