Big Tester for Cell C Sharks XV:
The Cell C Sharks XV face their toughest challenge in recent weeks when they travel to Kimberley to play Griquas in their second round SuperSport Rugby Challenge match on Thursday afternoon.
“We’ve suffered three key injuries, but I’m more than confident with the subs. Otherwise it’s the same setup as last week,” explained coach Paul Anthony who has had to shuffle his team around slightly for this match.
Thierry Kounga comes in for John-Hubert Meyer in the front row, with Wian Vosloo replacing Jean Droste at lock, partnering Hyron Andrews in the second row.
Amongst the backs, Garth April has shifted to fullback to replace Courtney Winnaar, with the vacated flyhalf position now filled by Benhard Janse van Rensburg.
Following this past weekend’s 40-24 SuperSport Rugby Challenge bonus point victory over the Leopards in Potchefstroom, Paul Anthony said he was looking for more of the same from his charges against a tough Griquas side.
The team from Kimberley have held on to top spot on the central log for most of the season and there is plenty to prove for this Cell C Sharks XV side that have been building momentum over the past few weeks and playing with more and more confidence.
“We’re very excited and want to take the game to them and to keep the momentum rolling.”
| The Cell C Sharks XV |
Replacements | ||
| 1 | Juan Schoeman | 16 | Andrew du Plessis |
| 2 | Stephan Coetzee | 17 | Gerhard Engelbrecht |
| 3 | Thierry Kounga | 18 | Rikus Zwart |
| 4 | Wian Vosloo | 19 | Bandisa Ndlovu |
| 5 | Hyron Andrews | 20 | Hanco Venter |
| 6 | Khaya Majola | 21 | Tristan Blewett |
| 7 | Jacques Vermeulen | 22 | Courtney Winnaar |
| 8 | Keegan Daniel (C) | ||
| 9 | Rowan Gouws | ||
| 10 | Benhard Janse van Rensburg | ||
| 11 | Sbu Nkosi | ||
| 12 | Andre Esterhuizen | ||
| 13 | S’bura Sithole | ||
| 14 | Ilunga Mukendi | ||
| 15 | Garth April |
The post Big Tester for Cell C Sharks XV appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Continued Success for Cell C Sharks XV:
The Cell C Sharks XV continued their good form with a well-deserved 24 – 40 SuperSport Rugby Challenge bonus point victory over the Leopards at Olen Park in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
“I wasn’t happy with us conceding three tries and also unhappy with the number of turnovers conceded, we need to cut that down, especially if we want to beat Griquas this weekend, which we intend to,” explained coach Paul Anthony after the match.
The Cell C Sharks XV scored six tries and led 24-10 at half-time, with Andre Esterhuizen scoring a brace, along with Wian Vosloo, Stephan Coetzee, Khaya Majola and Andrew du Plessis. Garth April converted four of those tries and replacement Benhard Janse van Rensburg one more.
The match was all but wrapped up with four first half tries and despite a desperate fight-back from the home team, their two second half tries weren’t enough to wrestle control from the visiting Cell C Sharks XV who had taken command of the game early on and never relinquished it.
“Overall, it was a difficult place to play and they’re a tough side, a desperate side and they really worked hard against us,” said the coach. “But I’m very happy with the way the boys are trying to play; we are trying to play good rugby and we as a coaching staff are happy with that.
“We’re scoring some great tries, trying to play full-on rugby and I’m very happy with the result and the five points.”
After registering a 32-5 victory in the first round match, they achieved the double which afforded them the luxury of leap-frogging their opponents in this match on the central log; they are now in third position, behind the Free State Cheetahs who have one more log point, but have also played an extra game, with Griquas – the next opponents in Kimberley – holding on to top spot.
“We definitely want to make the quarter’s, that’s our first aim in this competition and this weekend’s match against Griquas is massive; we have to bring points home,” said Anthony. “Then it comes down to the Cheetahs in the week afterwards, where we’re both going to be heading for a place in the play-offs.
“The best two teams from each group go through, and then the next two highest log point earners join them, so we have to keep picking up points.
“But our focus is purely on winning game by game and trying to get bonus points.”
The post Continued Success for Cell C Sharks XV appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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