Chiliboy Ralepelle To Captain Cell C Sharks in Currie Cup:
?The Sharks are pleased to announce that the very experienced Chiliboy Ralepelle, will captain the Cell C Sharks in the 2018 Currie Cup tournament.
Chiliboy is a highly respected senior player and his appointment, together with the appointment of a leadership group who were voted for by the players themselves, will take the team forward during this campaign.
There is no greater motivation for this group of players to lead from the front, than being given the backing from their coaching staff and peers.
Apart from Ralepelle, the other players to form part of the leadership group are: Daniel du Preez, Hyron Andrews, John-Hubert Meyer, Marius Louw, Robert du Preez Jnr and Tera Mtembu.
?The 31-year-old Ralepelle made his debut for the Cell C Sharks in 2016 after starting his professional career with the Vodacom Bulls. In 2006, at the age of just 19, he made his Springbok debut against the All Blacks and his leadership qualities and experience of playing at the highest level will add great value to the Cell C Sharks.
In terms of the coaching unit, there is continuity from Vodacom Super Rugby, with Robert du Preez heading up the campaign. He will be assisted by Dick Muir (backline consultant), Jaco Pienaar (forwards coach), Braam van Straaten (defence) and AB Zondagh (skills). One new edition to the Currie Cup coaching unit sees ex-England international Nick Easter, join for the campaign as breakdown coach. Easter will also assist van Straaten with defence and Pienaar with the lineouts during the tournament.
The Cell C Sharks have won the Currie Cup competition on seven occasions and hosted last year’s final, by finishing top of the log after the group stages.
?It is also a competition that, despite missing numerous players to the Springbok cause for the Rugby Championship and during much of the Currie Cup itself, as well as other players with rugby commitments in Japan, continues to unearth new and exciting talent.
?Many players made a name for themselves in Currie Cup, before featuring successfully at Super Rugby level the following year and have now gone on to play at the highest level – for the Springboks.
?The Cell C Sharks look forward to an entertaining and successful Currie Cup campaign under Chiliboy Ralepelle and his leadership group and wish them well.
?The tournament, limited to seven teams (Cell C Sharks, Western Province, Golden Lions, Blue Bulls, Free State Cheetahs, Pumas and Griquas) in a single round format, commences on Friday 17 August, and with a bye in the first weekend’s action, the Cell C Sharks will open our campaign when we host the Blue Bulls on Saturday 25 August.
?The final will take place on Saturday 27 October.
The post Chiliboy Ralepelle To Captain Cell C Sharks in Currie Cup appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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