Following last week’s emphatic victory over the Griffons in their second Supersport Rugby Challenge match, the Cell C Sharks XV will be looking to continue their form against the Leopards at Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground in Uvongo.
Last Saturday’s 52 – 24 over the Griffons in Welkom was a statement of intent that they are in this competition to do our fans proud. The win also gave them the impetus to climb to mid table on the Central Log.
However, they have a huge challenge this weekend against a Leopards side playing some outstanding rugby.
The home side have not yet lost in the competition and have accumulated maximum points from their three outings so far, leading the log with 15 points. The week two bye means the Cell C Sharks XV have a game in hand and an opportunity to rein in the log leaders.
Coach Paul Anthony hasn’t tinkered too much with the team that won last week, a thumbs up for the players who performed so well.
The forward pack remains unchanged, a real pleasure for a coach to retain a winning side and reward the players for their hard work, both on the training pitch and in match action.
Amongst the backs, there is a rotational switch at scrumhalf with Rowan Gouws and Damian Stevens swapping around, while Odwa Ndungane, who has a slight niggle, has been replaced by S’bura Sithole who moves from outside centre to wing.
Johan Deysel returns from the senior side where he made his Vodacom Super Rugby debut two weeks ago against the Jaguares. He will wear the number 13 jumper on Saturday.
In the final change, Garth April has been selected to play for the senior team against the Kings, opening the door for Clement Poitrenaud to return at fullback, after missing action due to injury and playing off the bench on his return last week.
The experienced Keegan Daniel will lead the side. The match is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 13th May.
| The Cell C Sharks XV |
Replacements | ||
| 1 | Juan Schoeman | 16 | Kerron van Vuuren |
| 2 | Stephan Coetzee | 17 | Gerhard Engelbrecht |
| 3 | John-Hubert Meyer | 18 | Rikus Zwart |
| 4 | Jean Droste | 19 | Wian Vosloo |
| 5 | Hyron Andrews | 20 | Damian Stevens |
| 6 | Khaya Majola | 21 | Tristan Blewett |
| 7 | Jacques Vermeulen | 22 | Courtney Winnaar |
| 8 | Keegan Daniel (C) | ||
| 9 | Rowan Gouws | ||
| 10 | Benhard Janse van Rensburg | ||
| 11 | Morne Joubert | ||
| 12 | Marius Louw | ||
| 13 | Johan Deysel | ||
| 14 | S’bura Sithole | ||
| 15 | Clement Poitrenaud |
The post Growing Momentum appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
The Cell C Sharks team named to travel to Port Elizabeth to take on the Kings this weekend in their return leg Vodacom Super Rugby clash shows just a few changes to last week’s side.
Head coach Robert du Preez has largely retained the same team that beat the Rebels last weekend with just three rotational changes and one enforced.
With Curwin Bosch now away on national duty with the SA Under 20 side, Patrick Lambie takes over as the starting flyhalf as well as taking over the captaincy in one of two changes to the backline. The other sees Lwazi Mvovo – who was rested last weekend – replacing Sbu Nkosi who shifts to the bench following a pleasing debut last Saturday.
In straight rotation in the front row, Beast Mtawarira returns for Thomas du Toit while Franco Marais and Chiliboy Ralepelle swap jerseys.
Commenting on the Cell C Sharks’ exchange of one special player for another with Pat Lambie starting after Curwin Bosch stood in for him during his injury, assistant coach Sean Everitt explained that, “Pat is our captain and a player that the youngsters look up to so he’ll bring calmness and strong leadership which will make the job easier for the guys around him.”
| The Cell C Sharks |
Replacements | ||
| 1 | Beast Mtawarira | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle |
| 2 | Franco Marais | 17 | Thomas du Toit |
| 3 | Coenie Oosthuizen | 18 | Lourens Adriaanse |
| 4 | Etienne Oosthuizen | 19 | Stephan Lewies |
| 5 | Ruan Botha | 20 | Tera Mtembu |
| 6 | Philip van der Walt (V/C) | 21 | Cobus Reinach |
| 7 | Jean-Luc du Preez | 22 | Garth April |
| 8 | Daniel du Preez | 23 | Sbu Nkosi |
| 9 | Michael Claassens | ||
| 10 | Patrick Lambie (Captain) | ||
| 11 | Lwazi Mvovo | ||
| 12 | Jeremy Ward | ||
| 13 | Lukhanyo Am | ||
| 14 | Kobus van Wyk | ||
| 15 | Rhyno Smith |
The post Minimal Changes for Kings appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Fill in the form below to have your blog featured on MyDurban – we will post a snippet and title link to your new blog posts.
Submit and get free press releases here: MyPR Free Press Release | Meet the Durban Bloggers.
