The Cell C Sharks host the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at JONSSON KINGS PARK this Saturday in what is shaping to be a humdinger of a Currie Cup match between two old foes.
Head coach Sean Everitt has made four changes to last week’s side, two each amongst the forwards and backs.
Upfront, Mzamo Majola comes in for Juan Schoeman at loosehead prop while Luke Stringer makes way for Jacques Vermeulen in the other change to the pack.
Amongst the backs, Aphelele Fassi takes over the fullback jersey from Rhyno Smith while Sanele Nohamba will start at scrumhalf with Cameron wright playing off the bench.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s match against Free State, there are some lessons that will have been taken on board after the loss to the Pumas.
“It was a game of two halves, the wheels fell off the bus a bit because we lacked composure in the second half and while we’ve spoken about an 80-minute performance, we didn’t pull it through,” explains Cell C Sharks scrumhalf Cameron Wright.
“I don’t think there is any questioning our effort, that was there but perhaps we were a bit over-eager, throwing off-loads and 50-50 passes where it wasn’t necessarily on. From a physicality perspective I think we are up there, we have a physical side and we pride ourselves on that, it’s something we back ourselves on.”
With three matches of the pool stages remaining, it’s vital that the Cell C Sharks pick up a victory this weekend.
“We want to win every game, that’s our goal and that should be the mindset. Other teams have done us a few favours – the Blue Bulls and Western Province going down – and kept the Currie Cup quite open. But we definitely have to win, we want to win all three – that’s a non-negotiable – and we need to win all three.
After Free State lost narrowly last week, Wright expects a backlash this weekend.
“They are hurting a bit and we expect them to come hard at us, particularly early on. They like to play an expansive style of play married with physicality, so if we can match them, I think we’re in for a good shot.”
Cell C Sharks
1. Mzamo Majola
2. Kerron van Vuuren
3. Coenie Oosthuizen
4. Ruben van Heerden
5. Hyron Andrews
6. Phepsi Buthelezi
7. Jacques Vermeulen
8. Tera Mtembu (co-captain)
9. Sanele Nohamba
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Jeremy Ward (co-captain)
13. JP Pietersen
14. Kobus van Wyk
15. Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
16. Craig Burden
17. Juan Schoeman
18. John-Hubert Meyer
19. Gideon Koegelenberg
20. Evan Roos
21. Cameron Wright
22. Marius Louw
23. Rhyno Smith
The post Massive Clash appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Cell C Sharks loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi might be just 20 years old, but he has a mature head on his shoulders as he looks to contribute positively to the Cell C Sharks cause.
He led his Under 19s to SA Rugby Under 19 Championship glory last year in an unprecedented season in which the team never lost a single match the entire campaign.
He’s now featuring in the Currie Cup competition and while there have been some ups and downs, he admits that it is an opportunity for personal development and growth.
“We started the game against the Pumas very well, our intensity was really up there in the first half especially, however, in the second half when we came out and gave them that easy try, I think that got them back into the game. We just need to be better in the second half in terms of keeping the foot on the pedal,” he reflects.
Was it a combination of the Pumas’ confidence lifting after scoring either side of half-time and the Cell C Sharks’ confidence taking a knock?
“Definitely, when they got that try early in the second half, they took a lot of confidence and there was panic from our side when we should really have just calmed down and try to get back into the game,” Buthelezi explains. “This is something we’ve worked on at training to fix ahead of our game against Free State.
“We have had some honest conversations and had a hard look at ourselves, looking at where we slipped up. The biggest thing for us going into these last three games is growing and making sure we get some sort of momentum so that we hopefully end up in the semi-finals.”
This weekend offers the opportunity to fix things, although he warns that it won’t be easy.
“This is a very good Cheetahs side that has enjoyed a good run in the Currie Cup, although losing to the Lions would have been a big blow for them. They have a very physical pack and a good set-piece so from our side, we need to counter that by making sure we defend really well and show plenty of physicality ourselves.”
As the last pool game at JONSSON KINGS PARK, this match between the Cell C Sharks and Toyota Free State is about delivering an impeccable performance, for the fans.
“After some of the poor performances that we’ve had, we think that the people of Durban and Sharks supporters really deserve a big performance so we’ll be coming out on Saturday giving it our best shot.”
The former DHS star (they were a top 20 side in South Africa when he featured for the school’s first XV) made his Super Rugby and Currie Cup debuts this year in what has been a meteoric rise for the Cell C Sharks Under 19 and SA Under 20 captain.
“It’s been an unbelievable year for me,” he admits. “From making my debut in the win against the Sunwolves at the beginning of the season, to captaining the Baby Boks and now playing Currie Cup rugby, it’s been absolutely wonderful and I’ve really grateful for every opportunity I’ve had and try to use each one to the best of my ability. For me, it’s learning as much from the senior players like Tera Mtembu and Jacques Vermeulen and previously Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez and growing from game to game.”
His secret to success is not that secretive, but it relies on a great attitude and work ethic.
“The biggest thing for me is that I work very hard on my extras. After each match, I have a look at my own game and assess the things I may have done wrong or could have done better. I try to work on these to keep on improving and growing from game to game.”
The post Dreams Do Come True 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.
