The Cell C Sharks will be targeting our seventh consecutive victory when we travel to Nelspruit on Friday evening to take on the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium in our second round Currie Cup clash.
Head coach Robert du Preez has mostly stuck with the players who put on nearly 50 points against the Free State Cheetahs last weekend, opting for continuity as far as possible. With no injuries reported after the game, he has had the luxury of selecting from the squad, with the added bonus of having Curwin Bosch back.
Bosch arrived in Durban too late last week for inclusion, but is back in the side in one of four changes, two each to the forward pack and the backline.
Upfront, there is a rejigged front row, with Thomas du Toit coming in for Juan Schoeman at loosehead prop, with Ross Geldenhuys replacing John-Hubert Meyer at tighthead. Akker van der Merwe retains his place at hooker.
Curwin Bosch is named at flyhalf in Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s place, while Garth April takes over from Inny Radebe (injured) at fullback in the final personnel change.
Louis Schreuder’s good form is rewarded with another start and the new scrumhalf is loving being with the Cell C Sharks, even if he’s not quite the spring-chicken his team-mates are.
“At 27, I’m one of the oldest players in the team, certainly in the backline, they’re all under 22 years of age, I’m an old ballie, but these guys are talented , keen and eager and I’m enjoying playing with them,” he explains.
Although we’re top of the log, Schreuder acknowledges that nothing has been achieved just yet.
“We have a tough challenge ahead of us, we’re not perfect, in fact we’re far from where we want to be playing, but we are excited for this match.”
The Pumas lost to the Golden Lions by a solitary point last weekend, this after a quite convincing 51-15 victory over the Bulls the previous week and he warns that they are no easy target.
“They are a quality outfit with a good group of players. They are quite physical and have had some good results and only narrow losses, so it’s not going to be easy.
“Friday night is going to be big, we just need to concentrate on what we want to do.”
| The Cell C Sharks |
Replacements |
||
| 1 | Thomas du Toit | 16 | Franco Marais |
| 2 | Akker van der Merwe | 17 | Juan Schoeman |
| 3 | Ross Geldenhuys | 18 | Jean Droste |
| 4 | Tyler Paul | 19 | Wian Vosloo |
| 5 | Ruan Botha (Captain) | 20 | Michael Claassens |
| 6 | Keegan Daniel | 21 | Marius Louw |
| 7 | Jacques Vermeulen | 22 | Rhyno Smith |
| 8 | Tera Mtembu | ||
| 9 | Louis Schreuder | ||
| 10 | Curwin Bosch | ||
| 11 | S’bu Nkosi | ||
| 12 | Lukhanyo Am | ||
| 13 | Jeremy Ward | ||
| 14 | Tythan Adams | ||
| 15 | Garth April |
The post Keeping the Ball Rolling appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
After starting his first match of the Currie Cup for the Cell C Sharks, prop John-Hubert Meyer is looking forward to building on his growing reputation, and a try against Free State certainly didn’t harm it.
Originally from Cape Town and having attended high school at the famous Paul Roos, he then came to Durban to The Sharks Academy and played Sharks Under 19.
“Because education plays a big role in life after rugby, I went to study at Maties, finishing my three year degree in B.Comm (Management Accounting) and played some rugby for Western Province at Under 21 level,” he explains. “Then I had the opportunity to come back to The Sharks.
“It’s been a lifelong dream for me to play for the Cell C Sharks and last year I made my senior debut during the Currie Cup. Growing up I supported both Western Province and The Sharks, but I’d always had a love for the Durban side, their culture and the brand of rugby played here, as well as the players, the legends, who have played here.”
With a tight five that has been performing well, he relishes the opportunity to keep that side of the game going, particularly as it forms the building blocks for success.
“Although a few of our locks left after Super Rugby, we have some good, young players who are hungry and working really hard. I’d say our tight five has been fairly dominant, our set-piece has functioned well and we have good competition in the pack which brings out the best in each player.”
He admits that Friday night’s opponents, the Pumas, offer a tough challenge.
“They have come a long way since we played them at Growthpoint KINGS PARK in round one, they’ve taken a few big scalps and they’re growing in confidence each week. It’s always tough at Mbombela stadium but we’re focusing on our processes and what we need to do to stamp our authority as a pack and as a team. We want to build on what we’ve done and grow our momentum.”
With two tricky away fixtures in the next fortnight – Pumas this weekend and then Griquas the next – he admits that it’s not going to be easy.
“Playing in Nelspruit and Kimberley is never easy, a challenge, but the most important thing is having the right mental state, you have to pitch up for these games, if you don’t from the word go, it’s going to be a long, hard day. That first 20 minutes is vital for us to stamp our authority.”
With just one match into the second round, maintaining a good run that keeps us at the top of the log is crucial. But there is huge determination to continue the form that has seen us win six matches on the trot.
“Although we love playing at home, we have two tough away games and we’ve made this a challenge for ourselves. If we do well then we set ourselves up for a nice run of home games and hopefully a home semi-final and home final, although at this stage, we’re not thinking too far ahead.”
On a personal note, he feels very content with rugby life at the moment. After missing the first match of the competition due to injury, he’s worked his way back into contention, then selection and this past weekend started against Free State. And scored a try.
“That was quite special, the second try of the season. I’m happy with the amount of game time I’m getting, it’s been communicated with me and I’m just taking the patient approach and working on what I can do, improving every week and hopefully getting into the starting line-up more often.”
The post Living the Dream appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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