Chance to Rise – Featured Durban Blog

The Currie Cup Qualifier between the Cell C Sharks and the Xerox Golden Lions XV at Princess Magogo Stadium in Kwa-Mashu on Friday evening presents the perfect opportunity for the Durban side to build a head of steam in the competition.

The team haven’t quite enjoyed the kind of success this season that they have the potential for and will be looking for a big performance against the Lions XV on Friday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.

A 24-16 victory over high-riding Western Province two weeks ago showed just what the team is capable of and Coach Michael Horak will look for a similarly emphatic performance from his charges this weekend.

With a game in hand over many of the other teams in the competition, they have the perfect opportunity to climb the ladder fairly substantially.  Their competitiveness can be seen in the bonus point column, having earned two for losing by less than seven points with both their wins bringing up try scoring bonus points.

The Lions, also lying in mid table, have an identical record in the competition so far and are similarly under pressure to get a result.

After his trip to Argentina with the Cell C Sharks last week, S’bura Sithole returns to Currie Cup action and will start on the left wing, with Sipho    Mkhize shifting to the right wing in place of Neil Maritz.

The remainder of the backline remains unchanged with Alrin Eksteen remaining at fullback, Heimar Williams and Nkululeko Marwana maintaining the midfield partnership and Dylan Marcus and Tristan Tedder forming the halfback duo.

Khaya Majola retains the captaincy and continues the back row trio together with Johan du Toit and Retief Marais.

The Cell C Sharks XV

The Cell C Sharks have one more assignment before a well-deserved bye as they prepare to host the Kings at Growthpoint KINGS PARK in their second meeting of the competition, this Saturday.

Their first match of the tournament was in Port Elizabeth against the competition newcomers, resulting in a 43-8 win for the Durban team, and after a further 10 games in 11 weeks, crossing numerous time-zones east and west and taking in three continents in less than three weeks, they will look to finish a grueling schedule on a high note.

Director of Rugby Gary Gold has been steadfast in his message all season – that weekly improvement is the team’s quest – and recent performances would suggest that the players have not only listened to the message, but thoroughly taken up the challenge.

Named to start at scrumhalf last week, Michael Claassens missed the Jaguares match after pulling up in captain’s practice with a groin strain, but has recovered in time to start the Kings’ match. Lwazi Mvovo returns to the starting line-up while Jean-Luc du Preez comes in for namesake Jean Deysel in the back row.

Etienne Oosthuizen has also made his return to the starting line-up, while there is a new front row in Lourens Adriaanse, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Dale Chadwick.

Assistant coach Robert du Preez knows that the Cell C Sharks have had a tough time lately as far as travel is concerned, but will be looking to give everything this weekend to earn their break.

“We’re not taking the Kings for granted, it’s going to be a tough one,” he explains. “They’re improving every week but we will play our normal, structured game and if the opportunities present themselves, then we have to use them.

The Cell C Sharks