The Cell C Sharks side named to take on the Jaguares in their Vodacom Super Rugby clash in Buenos Aires on Saturday shows a number of changes with planned player rotation very much at the forefront of selection.
Amongst the forwards, there are a number of changes, with a new front row selected, comprising Thomas du Toit, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Lourens Adriaanse. Last week’s starters Coenie Oosthuizen and Franco Marais will play off the bench while a late decision was made to rest Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and therefore he did not tour with the team.
In the second row, Ruan Botha partners Stephan Lewies with Etienne Oosthuizen named on the bench, while Jean-Luc returns from injury to partner with his twin brother Daniel and Philip van der Walt (who takes over the captaincy for this match) to create a mobile and very physical loose-forward trio.
In the backline, flyhalf Curwin Bosch will have a new halfback partner, with Michael Claassens and Cobus Reinach swapping jerseys for this clash while Lukhanyo Am moves back to 13, with Jeremy Ward taking over from Andre Esterhuizen and Odwa Ndungane coming into the side on the wing to earn his 137th cap to share the record (most capped Cell C Sharks Super Rugby player) with JP Pietersen.
Commenting on the team changes, Head Coach Robert du Preez explained: “The idea has always been to give the other guys a chance and last week I spoke to the guys who didn’t start and told them they would be getting an opportunity this week. It’s right to start them and there is very little to choose between the guys on the bench and those who are starting.
“We need to give them a start, it’s good for their morale, for their well-being as part of the squad. It’s really important that we give those guys an opportunity. It’s going to require a massive performance from every single guy, from 1 to 23.”
He warned that the Jaguares game on Saturday evening was going to be a massive challenge for the team.
“They haven’t lost at home this year, it’s going to be a very physical encounter, we know that and we know how tough they are at home. But having said that, we’re going with a very positive mindset. We beat them there last year and we want to go there to get the win.”
| The Cell C Sharks |
Replacements | ||
| 1 | Thomas du Toit | 16 | Franco Marais |
| 2 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | 17 | Juan Schoeman |
| 3 | Lourens Adriaanse | 18 | Coenie Oosthuizen |
| 4 | Ruan Botha | 19 | Etienne Oosthuizen |
| 5 | Stephan Lewies | 20 | Tera Mtembu |
| 6 | Philip van der Walt (C) | 21 | Cobus Reinach |
| 7 | Jean-Luc du Preez | 22 | Benhard Janse van Rensburg |
| 8 | Daniel du Preez | 23 | Johan Deysel |
| 9 | Michael Claassens | ||
| 10 | Curwin Bosch | ||
| 11 | Lwazi Mvovo (v/c) | ||
| 12 | Jeremy Ward | ||
| 13 | Lukhanyo Am | ||
| 14 | Odwa Ndungane | ||
| 15 | Rhyno Smith |
The post Changes for Jaguares appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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