The Cell C Sharks know that the clash against the Dragons this Saturday, in their second tour match of this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship is going to be a challenge.
Just two injury-enforced changes has been made to the team that defeated Zebre last week, where Justin Basson comes into the starting lineup for Gerbrandt Grobler, with Hyron Andrew taking his place on the bench as well as Anthony Volmink replacing Fred Zeilinga.
Cell C Sharks assistant coach Noel McNamara has warned just how tough this match is expected to be.
“We saw with their performance against Munster, they’re in a really positive place and I’m sure people sat up and took note of that result.
“We’re under no illusions as to the challenge we face on Saturday.”
Talking how the Cell C Sharks’ approach might change, taking on Welsh opposition after playing the Italians in the first game McNamara admitted that, “The weather and surface is going to be different; we saw against Zebre the weather was perfect, the surface fantastic and quick but here it is wet and cold.
“That’s one thing, in terms of playing the Dragons, they’re physical and they go hard at the breakdown so that’s going to be particularly important. They have a good set-piece, they caused Munster plenty of problems at maul and scrum time. And they have pace, they have international wingers and if we give them opportunities, we’ll be in trouble.
“We’re looking forward to getting stuck into a very physical and confrontational contest.”
While the weather may not come to the party, McNamara pointed out that they would be playing on a soccer pitch which won’t get bogged down.
“We are used to a wet ball in Durban, not so much from rain as the heat and humidity, the challenge for us it to have an all-round game, to have the ability to play and at times, when you need to play pressure rugby as well. We’re very much of the mindset that we need to adapt, before or even during the game.”
Cell C Sharks
- Ntuthuko Mchunu
- Kerron van Vuuren
- Thomas du Toit (c)
- Justin Basson
- Reniel Hugo
- James Venter
- Dylan Richardson
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Grant Williams
- Boeta Chamberlain
- Thaakir Abrahams
- Ben Tapuai
- Rohan Janse Van Rensburg
- Werner Kok
- Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
- Dan Jooste
- Dian Bleuler
- Carlu Sadie
- Hyron Andrews
- Sikhumbuzo Notshe
- Cameron Wright
- Marnus Potgieter
- Anthony Volmink
The post Big Test Ahead appeared first on The Sharks.
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