Once more the Cell C Sharks are thrust into a huge Currie Cup clash when they host log leaders Toyota Free State at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday evening.
It’s been a case of one massive challenge after the other, but each one faced bravely – and successfully – in the last month, to the point where they are now chasing their fifth straight victory in the competition.
“The win over the Pumas last week keeps momentum and the team vibe up and that psychological stuff matters, it is important,” explains Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo.
“It’s also good for the boys to have been in a place where they’ve won a game that looked unlikely, and somewhere in the backend of the season, they may find themselves in a similar position. So the fact that they’ve been there before is a massive thing for the group.”
Looking forward to the Free State game, Mongalo accedes that a good team doesn’t lead the log for no reason, “There’s a reason they lead and that’s because they’re a very good team, one of the better teams who are likely to score from their maul when they get into your 22.
“They’re a team that focuses on position-based attack, so our defence will have to stand up, but we have a proud defensive record, especially at home, so we want to ensure that we match fire with fire. That we match on defence what they bring on attack with the right resources, planning, heart, desire and character from people who really care about this brand and are passionate about it.
“This Currie Cup is unrelenting, so it’s more of the same for us, every week you have the opportunity to keep momentum, or you can lose it and we can’t afford to lose any momentum.”
With reference to team selection, the coach points out that continuity is key. “We’re trying to stick as much as possible with the same group to give those guys an opportunity to improve on their performances last weekend. Any other changes are due to injury, but apart from that, we’re trying to build consistency and momentum for the rest of the competition.”
Friday’s return leg home match kicks off at 7pm.
Cell C Sharks
1. Khwezi Mona
2. Fez Mbatha
3. Carlu Sadie
4. Jeandre Labuschagne
5. Reniel Hugo (c)
6. Dylan Richardson
7. James Venter
8. Henco Venter
9. Tiaan Fourie
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Aphelele Fassi
12. Alwayno Visagie
13. Murray Koster
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Nevaldo Fleurs
Replacements
16. Dameon Venter
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Hanro Jacobs
19. Marco de Witt
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Celimpilo Gumede
22. Bradley Davids
23. Marnus Potgieter
The post Huge Clash in Durban appeared first on The Sharks.
The SA Rugby Under 19 Cup resumes this weekend after a tournament break with the Cell C Sharks Under 19s taking on their Free State counterparts in Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon.
The first three rounds produced solid victories for the Durban side and a 100% success rate, coupled with bonus point victories over the Leopards, Valke and Western Province, have elevated them to the top of the competition log.
Free State started the tournament like a house on fire with a 75-29 victory over the Valke, but back-to-back losses – to the Blue Bulls and Leopards – has consigned them to fourth place on the six team log.
Regardless of their opponents’ results, Coach Mike Vowles admits that his team have a huge amount of respect for Free State, saying: “Traveling to Bloemfontein to take on Free State is always a tough exercise and one that we certainly don’t take lightly.
“We’re just looking to build on the success of the last three games, the team is in a really good space and considering the make-up of our team, contracted players, club players, Varsity Shield, it’s a dynamic and diverse group.
“We were obviously concerned with how we were going to gel coming into the comp, but having got those three wins under the belt, in particular a win in Cape Town, that’s galvanised the group and pulled us together.
“The players are confident going into this game, after a few days off, the players responded in training and we’re all looking forward to this match. Although we are confident, we would never take any Free State side lightly and we need to bring our ‘A’ game.”
A win this weekend would secure a home semi, but it goes beyond results. “We really want to put in a good performance that brings a win and home semi which would hopefully gives us the best opportunity of a home final.”
Friday afternoon’s match at the Free State Stadium kicks off at 1pm.
Cell C Sharks Under 19s
1. Bradley Stanfliet
2. Ethan Bester
3. Nicholas Snyman
4. Garren Muller
5. Sphephelo Mbonambi
6. Andrew Davies
7. Connor Carson
8. Hugo – Ben Horn
9. Dallyn Beukes
10. Stehan Heymans
11. Risima Sambo
12. Drico Marx
13. Spha Ngcobo
14. Ntobeko Mhlongo
15. Hendrik Pienaar
Replacements
16. Faasen Laubscher
17. Siyabonga Dube
18. Sinelifa Ncwana
19. Trent Roux
20. Darren Ruth
21. JP Beyer
22. Aldo Zoet
23. Minenhle Ngcamu
The post Maintaining Winning Form appeared first on The Sharks.
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Quick Durban KwaZulu-Natal Fact: The truth is unlike other parts of South Africa, Durban never really experiences winter and it’s often why it’s dubbed “South Africa’s playground”. It’s almost always sunny in Durban and the warm current keeps the land warm so the lowest our temperatures drops to is about approximately 18° Celsius (64° Fahrenheit). Local people, of course, believe even this drop is too much to bear and they stay at home covered in blankets.
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