The Cell C Sharks team to play the DHL Stormers at JONSSON KINGS PARK on Saturday for the Vodacom Super Rugby derby match between the coastal sides shows minimal changes to last week’s team.
Head Coach Robert du Preez has selected Makazole Mapimpi in for Lwazi Mvovo on the wing while Cameron Wright replaces Louis Schreuder at scrumhalf in the two changes to the backline.
Daniel du Preez joins his twin Jean-Luc in the loose trio, taking over from Tera Mtembu at eighthman in the only change amongst the forwards.
Centre Lukhanyo Am admits that the Cell C Sharks team will look to turn matters around against the DHL Stormers, following the loss to the Vodacom Bulls last week.
“We’re looking to put a disappointing loss behind us, we tried to be positive this week and focussed on what we need to do for the game against the DHL Stormers.
Bouncing back, as the team showed after the Australian leg, will be the primary aim, to show what this team is capable of.
“This game could be our season-changer, we’re looking to regain our confidence and consistency in this match. But there are no easy games and we’ll need to bring our A-game on Saturday.”
Although one might expect there to be added pressure with derby matches, Am explains that this isn’t necessarily the case. “Not really, we take it game for game, whether it’s home or away but it is always special playing at home.
Knowing what this team is capable of producing, as evidenced in the matches against the Blues and Hurricanes, gives confidence to the players, but replicating it is something that shouldn’t provide pressure; rather, motivation.
“We don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves,” Am explains, “we know our standards and what we can do. But we do be hard on ourselves when we don’t reach those standards.”
It’s no secret that putting the opposition under pressure with early points is going to be critical for victory.
“The first 20 minutes of the game is going to be vital, that’s what let us down against the Vodacom Bulls and when they scored those early tries, we were left chasing the game. Our focus this week is on having a good start.”
| The Cell C Sharks | Replacements |
| 1 Juan Schoeman | 16. Akker van der Merwe |
| 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle |
17. Mzamo Majola |
| 3. Thomas du Toit | 18. Ross Geldenhuys |
| 4. Ruan Botha (Captain) | 19. Tyler Paul |
| 5. Stephan Lewies | 20. Jacques Vermeulen |
| 6. Philip van der Walt |
21. Louis Schreuder |
| 7. Jean-Luc du Preez | 22. Marius Louw |
| 8. Daniel du Preez |
23. Lwazi Mvovo |
| 9. Cameron Wright |
|
| 10. Robert du Preez | |
| 11.Makazole Mapimpi | |
| 12. Andre Esterhuizen |
|
| 13. Lukhanyo Am | |
| 14. Sbu Nkosi | |
| 15. Curwin Bosch |
The post Changing Fortunes appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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