There will be a full programme of rugby at Growthpoint KINGS PARK on Saturday as all three Cell C Sharks sides take on their Blue Bull counterparts, with the Under 19s and Under 21s in action before the Currie Cup encounter.
In the SA Rugby U19 Provincial Champs, the Blue Bulls are in second spot on the log, their juniors in good form and title challengers, which makes this encounter even more meaningful for the Durban side who enjoyed a bye last week, but will remain buoyed by their 45-41 defeat of EP the previous weekend.
A win for the Cell C Sharks Under 19s would certainly provide hugely encouraging morale at this juncture of the competition.
The match kicks off the day’s action at 2.15pm.
In the curtain-raiser to the Currie Cup match between the Cell C Sharks and Blue Bulls, the Under 21 teams battle it out in the 4pm SA Rugby U21 Provincial Champs.
Interestingly, after only three rounds, the competition is wide open with no team retaining an unbeaten status, and the log still wide open.
A 38-33 away victory over the Leopards last week will give the Cell C Sharks Under 21s good confidence going into this match, and they can continue to develop against the Blue Bulls youngsters who have won one of their three outings to date.
Cell C Sharks Under 19s
15.?Donovan ?du Randt?
14.?Mfundo? Ndlovu
13.?James? Tedder
12.?Taigh ?Schoor
11.?Ilunga? Mukendi
10.?Gareth ?Simpson
9.?Francois ?de Villiers
8.?Mthokozisi ?Ntuli
7.?Cornelius ?Otto
6.?Andre ?Coetzee
5.?Andrew? Evans
4.?William ?Squires
3.?Khuthazani ?Mchunu (Captain)
2.?Samuel ?Swanepoel
1.?Jordan? Els
Replacements
16.?Bubele? Gonqa
17.?Christopher ?Klopper
18.?Muammir? Salie
19.?Marco ?Koen
20.?Wihan ?von Wielligh
21.?Migcobo ?Bovu
22.?Khail? Koetzenberg
23?Cliffered? Jacobs
Cell C Sharks Under 21s
15.?Kelvin? Elder
14.?S’busiso ?Nkosi
13.?Tristan? Blewett
12.?Marius ?Louw
11.?Malcolm ?Cele
10.?Ruben?de Vos
9.?Jaywinn? Juries
8.?Michael? Meyer
7.?Johan?du Toit
6.?Bandisa? Ndlovu
5.?Hyron ?Andrews
4.?Rikus? Zwart
3.?Ruan? Kramer
2.?Andrew?du Plessis
1.?Mzamo? Majola (Captain)
Replacements
16.?Kerron?van Vuuren
17.?Ngoni ?Chidoma
18.?Mthunzi? Moloi
19.?Johannes ?Retief
20.?Damian?Stevens
21.?Danrich ?Visagie
22.?Morne? Joubert
The post Big Challenge for Juniors appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
Preview: The Cell C Sharks vs Blue Bulls:
The Cell C Sharks are back at Growthpoint KINGS PARK this weekend when they host traditional rivals the Blue Bulls in what is expected to be their toughest Currie Cup derby clash of the tournament.
After three rounds when they had the opportunity to implement and then refine the brand of rugby they wish to play – they now know that this match is all about accuracy in play, but also not standing back from the physical challenge they know they can expect from the visiting Pretoria side.
Captain Keegan Daniel believes that the team is in a good place and ready for what is to come.
“We set out a plan at the beginning of the tournament and outlined our values and the culture we’re trying to create,” he explains. “We knew the first three games were going to be a build up to the bigger games and to try play the best rugby we could. We probably weren’t as clinical in all our performances, but after three weeks, we’ll take the 15 log points we’ve earned.
“The main thing is that the guys are enthusiastic and keen to play rugby and change takes time, but we are seeing the fruits of our labour in the style of rugby we’re playing.”
One area the Cell C Sharks will take confidence against a Bulls’ style of rugby that may have evolved to more attack, but still basing itself on a dominant pack, is in their own set of forwards and the continuity in playing personnel since the Super Rugby tournament.
“This hasn’t always been the case, in the past we lost a number of players to higher levels, but fortunately this season there haven’t been too many disruptions and those guys that have come in have added massive value. The foundation is set by the forwards and our set-piece is really functioning well, so with that, we’re able to build facets of our game.
“We have a relatively young side, the average age is about 22 which is exceptionally young, but they can express themselves when the forwards are taking control and we’ve been really happy with the way our set-piece has gone in the last three games.”
Given that this match marks the second phase of the Cell C Sharks campaign, having seen off the smaller, yet no less competitive, teams, Head Coach Robert du Preez admits that they have real challenges ahead.
“I’ve said that we want to improve every week and play how we want to play, and we’re going to stick with that; it’s important that we keep improving.”
He also acknowledges that the Blue Bulls offer something different to what’s been thrown at them the last three games.
“It’s going to be tough, they are a very well-balanced side.”
However, it’s very much about his own team that is his primary focus, and making sure the players are able to successfully implement the style they have clearly embraced.
“Playing more rugby – with more ball in hand – means we have made more errors and that’s one area we need to improve on. We need to cut down on our mistakes.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 6.10pm on Saturday evening.
Note: Du Preez also confirmed that Tera Mtembu’s injury is not as bad as initially thought and he looks to be out for four to five weeks, with no surgery required.
The post Preview: The Cell C Sharks vs Blue Bulls appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
Fill in the form below to have your blog featured on MyDurban – we will post a snippet and title link to your new blog posts.
Submit and get free press releases here: MyPR Free Press Release | Meet the Durban Bloggers.
