Cell C Sharks Changes – Featured Durban Blog

When the Cell C Sharks team was named on Thursday to play Free State in their Currie Cup clash at Growthpoint KINGS PARK on Saturday,  there were a handful of players bracketed in with others.

This was due to the uncertainty over their 100% availability for the weekend’s match.

Unfortunately, after undergoing late fitness tests, the final composition of the team has changed.

Suffering from an Abdominal Strain, captain Keegan Daniel has sadly had to be rested for the match.

Second rower Stephan Lewies, who has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury, is also not available while loose forward Jean Deysel has a hip flexor strain.

With Keegan Daniel ruled out, Philip van der Walt will take over the captaincy.

The changes to the matchday 22 mean that Francois Kleinhans will start for Keegan Daniel, Ruan Botha replaces Stephan Lewies and Jean Deysel’s place on the bench is taken by Khaya Majola. The good news is that the experienced scrumhalf Michael Claassens has been passed fit and will wear the number 20 jersey.

The Cell C Sharks

The heat continues in this year’s Currie Cup competition with the Cell C Sharks hosting Free State at Growthpoint KINGS PARK on Saturday in a top of the table clash that promises action, excitement and massive hits.

Free State come to Durban enjoying a good run of form, one that sees them the only remaining unbeaten team in the competition. However, the Cell C Sharks are also enjoying continuity and bring a settled team into the match.

“We’ve had a good week of preparation and I’m very pleased with the way it’s gone, everyone has been really sharp,” explains Head Coach Robert du Preez on the eve of the big clash.

“We’ve lessened the load at training over the last two weeks because we want the guys to have maximum energy when they go out there on Saturday.”

He feels that his team is in a good place and developing continuously.

“We have a great bunch of guys and we’re learning and improving all the time and that’s the important thing. The mental attitude too, that’s also getting better, so with time, the guys will learn from their mistakes and then move on.”

Which is exactly what is required this week. Compartmentalising is a valuable trait that all successful sportsmen and women need to learn, that yes, there will be failures, but the trick is to learn from them and don’t cling on to the negative energy that adversity brings.

“Last weekend’s loss to Province was a big disappointment for us but I think we learned a lot from it,” he explains. “The game was there to be won but they just surprised us with a couple of tries.”

For the upcoming match against Free State, du Preez points to a couple of areas that they have worked on to make sure Free State don’t find chinks in their armour.

“I don’t think our high ball management was the greatest and we’re really going to have to up our work-rate on defence because we’re going to need it this Saturday.”

Although Free State employ a similar style of play to the Cell C Sharks, looking to keep their attack alive, and despite the loss, du Preez is adamant they’re on the right track and won’t be changing anything; aside from looking to improve.

“We’ll stick to the way we want to play, we will certainly keep the ball in hand and if the opportunities are there, we’ll definitely look to take them.”

Given that the competition is now over halfway, it’s now reaching the business end which adds pressure to all the sides.

“It’s very important that we win this game,” he adds. “We’re going to go all out.”

Taking a look at the opposition, he pronounces them a very well balanced side. “They play 15 man rugby and they’re going to run the ball. But they also have a very good kicking game. They’re a very committed team and I don’t think there are any weaknesses.”