The Cell C Sharks Under 19s will be looking to get their SA Rugby Under 19 Cup campaign back on track this Friday when they travel to Pretoria to take on the Vodacom Bulls.
Despite going down to Toyota Free State, they remain on target for a home semi-final and a win over the Bulls will go a long way to securing home ground status in the knock-out rounds.
“This last weekend’s match against the Cheetahs was obviously very disappointing, we felt that we were probably the better team on the day but we didn’t take our opportunities while the Cheetahs took theirs,” coach Mike Vowles explains.
“It was one of those games where whatever could go right for the Cheetahs did, and whatever could go wrong for us, did, so although the result was disappointing, we were able to take some positives out of the game, especially the number of opportunities created. But frustrated that we couldn’t convert and get across the line.”
Casting his mind away from the recent past and turning his attention to this week’s massive assignment, Vowles warns that it won’t be any easier for his young charges.
“Matches against the Bulls are always a tough prospect, especially up at Loftus, but we’ve had a good week of preparation, the guys are in a good space, especially given what we potentially could have done against the Cheetahs and there is still so much to play for in the competition.
“We have a plan in place in terms of how we want to play and we just need to be more efficient and accurate in our decision-making to take the opportunities the Bulls give us.
“It’s also another opportunity for us to secure a home semi-final, so there is plenty to play for.”
Friday’s clash at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 2pm.
Cell C Sharks Under 19s
1. Bradley Stanfliet
2. Ethan Bester
3. Nicholas Snyman
4. Garren Muller
5. Sphephelo Mbonambi
6. Matthew Fick
7. Connor Carson
8. Hugo – Ben Horn
9. Dallyn Beukes
10. Stehan Heymans (Captain)
11. Minenhle Ngcamu
12. Drico Marx
13. Tholithemba Sibisi
14. Somanga Jho
15. Hendrik Pienaar
Replacements
16. Andrew Davis
17. Faasen Laubscher
18. Siyabonga Dube
19. Trent Roux
20. Darren Ruth
21. JP Beyer
22. AJ Knoetze
23. Monde Mkhize
The post A Huge Assignment appeared first on The Sharks.
The Cell C Sharks go into their second round Currie Cup clash against the Novavit Griffons in Welkom on Friday afternoon looking to maintain their grip on a home semi-final as the competition nears the knock-out stages.
Forwards coach Philip Lemmer acknowledges that his charges have been in sterling form of late with the platform laid by the forwards doing much to set up a run of five straight victories in recent past.
“The forwards have put in a lot of hard work, one thing they pride themselves on is being obedient to the call and to the system and we know that amongst the forwards in particular, unity is key.
“If eight guys aren’t doing the same thing at the same time, that’s when you get exposed,” Lemmer explains. “The senior guys have led the way and taken ownership and they make sure that the work we do during the week shows on the weekend. They know that it is their job and responsibility to give the backs the best possible ball.
“So far that’s going well.”
He adds that the focus is on: “Finishing the race to the end and that this week’s game is one we have to do well in. The Griffons, in Welkom, are tough. They beat the Bulls there, Province only just won there, so we acknowledge that it is a difficult game for us.
“It’s important that we do the job well this weekend.”
With the desire to keep the same side intact but also to bolster the depth, head coach Joey Mongalo and had the good fortune of bringing Rohan Janse van Rensburg back into action where he slots in at his familiar inside centre position, while VURC regulars Ntuthuko Mchunu, Vincent Tshituka and Sikhumbuzo Notshe add major firepower off the bench.
Friday’s match kicks off at 3pm.
Cell C Sharks
1. Dian Bleuler
2. Dameon Venter
3. Khutha Mchunu
4. Ockie Barnard
5. Reniel Hugo (c)
6. Dylan Richardson
7. James Venter
8. Celimpilo Gumede
9. Bradley Davids
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Marnus Potgieter
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Murray Koster
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Nevaldo Fleurs
Replacements
16. Fez Mbatha
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Hanro Jacobs
19. Marco de Witt
20. Vincent Tshituka
21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
22. Tiaan Fourie
23. Aphelele Fassi
The post Seeking a Sixth appeared first on The Sharks.
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Quick Durban KwaZulu-Natal Fact: Geography – The Kwazulu Natalprovince has three different geographic areas. The lowland region along the Indian Ocean coast is extremely narrow in the south, widening in the northern part of the province. The central region is the Natal Midlands and is an undulating hilly plateau rising towards the west. Two mountainous areas are contained in this area, the Drakensberg Mountains in the west and the Lebombo Mountains in the north. The Drakensberg is a solid wall of basalt, rising over 3000m skyward near the Lesotho border, whilst the Lebombo Mountains are ancient granite mountains, forming low parallel ranges running southward from Swaziland. The Tugela River flows west to east, across the center of the province and is the region’s largest river. The coastal regions typically have subtropical thickets and deeper ravines and steep slopes host some true Afromontane Forest. The midlands have moist grasslands and isolated pockets of Afromontane Forest. The north has a primarily moist savanna habitat, whilst the Drakensberg region hosts mostly alpine grassland. The former Eastern Cape enclave, of the town of Umzimkulu and its hinterland, have been incorporated into KwaZulu-Natal, following the 12th amendment of the Constitution of South Africa. The amendment also made other changes to the southern border of the province.
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