Cell C Sharks XV’s Tournament Opener:
The Cell C Sharks XV get their SuperSport Challenge campaign off to a start this weekend when they travel to Bloemfontein to take on the Free State XV at Toyota Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
The 15 team competition has a full programme of fixtures in week one with the Pumas and Bulls opening the 2019 edition in the pick of the North Section, while the Cell C Sharks XV and Free State XV pits arguably the two best teams in the South Section. Zimbabwe (South) and Namibia (North) add an international flavour to the competition.
There is a fair amount of experience available to head coach Sean Everitt. Although this is a young side, Everitt demonstrated his coaching ability in last year’s SA Rugby Under 19 Championship when he took the Cell C Sharks Under 19s through an undefeated season en-route to winning the tournament.
Jeremy Ward leads the side, having played fairly extensively for the Cell C Sharks in the Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Super Rugby competitions with quality back-up support from tighthead prop Khuta Mchunu who has been named vice-captain.
Flank Wian Vosloo, scrumhalf Grant Williams, wing Leolin Zas, fullback Rhyno Smith and reserve flyhalf Inny Radebe have all played for the senior team at various stages over the past couple of years.
The opening weekend’s action provides the perfect opportunity for this young but exciting side to put up a marker in the competition.
Cell C Sharks XV
- Gugu Lelani
- Cullen Collopy
- Khutha Mchunu (VC)
- Dylan Weideman
- Andrew Evans
- Adam Mountfort
- Wian Vosloo
- Kwanda Dimaza
- Grant Williams
- Murray Koster
- Leolin Zas
- Jeremy Ward (Capt)
- DJ Falconer
- Sicelo Tole
- Rhyno Smith
Replacements
- Nthutuko Thembu
- Roger Zondi
- MB Lusaseni
- Vian Fourie
- Zee Makabela
- Inny Radebe
- Charles Mayeza
The post Cell C Sharks XV’s Tournament Opener appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Preview: Waratahs vs Cell C Sharks:
The Cell C Sharks have acknowledged the must-win status of Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Waratahs as we look to get our three-week tour off to a positive start.
Last week’s loss against the Reds was a disappointment the team would like nothing better than to erase with a performance against the Waratahs that shows what this team is about. Losing by a solitary try where a couple of individual errors cost us shows the value attached to being on top of things.
Cell C Sharks head coach Robert du Preez highlighted this in the lead-up to the game, saying: “In this competition, on any given day, if you’re even slightly off your game, you can lose games.”
He added that, “For us it’s a must-win match to get our campaign back on track because the South African Conference is still wide open.”
At present, the Cell C Sharks are in sixth position on the overall log and one point behind the SA Conference leading Bulls. In our conference, just four points separate the five sides contesting it which shows just how narrow the margins are and how important it is to be on top of your game.
“We know it’s going to be a tough, but I believe we have the team to do it,” du Preez concluded.”
What They Said:
“The boys are in good spirits, we’ve had good training sessions, there is good energy in the camp and it’s always good to go on tour. We’re in each other’s company every day, it’s a wonderful time together which is great for the spirit.”
- Cell C Sharks head coach Robert du Preez
“Going on tour gives us an opportunity to spend more time with each other and the ‘Tahs’ game this weekend is an opportunity to turn our season around.”
- Cell C Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am
“As an Australian side, they play a fancy brand of rugby. They have a good forward pack who, at breakdown time, will make things really messy. They will try to cut us out wide and we have great respect for the Aussie sides. It’s going to be an interesting battle on Saturday.”
- Cell C Sharks prop Coenie Oosthuizen
Team News:
Head coach Robert du Preez has made six changes to the starting line-up and has included Akker van der Merwe (back from suspension) and Ruan Botha (returning from injury) amongst the reserves. There is a new-look halfback pairing of Cameron Wright and Curwin Bosch, with Beast Mtawarira leading the side.
Meanwhile Waratahs’ star Israel Folau’s future remains in the balance after controversy surrounding social media posts he made recently. He has been ‘stood down’ for the time being pending further meetings with his employers.
Some History
The Cell C sharks have not found Sydney to be a happy hunting ground and last won there in 2000, with a run of eight defeats since. The Bankwest Stadium is a new venue and hopefully a return to success. The Waratahs have not enjoyed great success against South African sides in the last two years. Although they are yet to meet a South African side, they have won just one match against South African opposition since the beginning of 2017 – defeating the Stormers in February 2018.
A Few Stats:
Clean Breaks*:
Cell C Sharks: 10.0 Waratahs: 11.9
Offloads*:
Cell C Sharks: 8.8 Waratahs: 9.5
Penalties Conceded*:
Cell C Sharks: 8.3 Waratahs: 8.6
Tackle Percentage:
Cell C Sharks: 85% Waratahs: 87%
Lineout Success:
Cell C Sharks: 85% Waratahs: 92%
Scrum Success:
Cell C Sharks: 93% Waratahs: 92%
*Ave per game
Head to Head:
2012: Waratahs 34-30 Cell C Sharks
2014: Cell C Sharks 32-10 Waratahs
2015: Waratahs 33-18 Cell C Sharks
2017: Cell C Sharks 37-14 Waratahs
2018: Cell C Sharks 24-24 Waratahs
Match Info:
Referee: Nic Berry
Kick-off: Saturday 27 April
Time: 11.45am
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium
The post Preview: Waratahs vs Cell C Sharks appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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