#OurSharks Celebrate Women’s Day:
The important role that women play in our society, and from a Cell C Sharks perspective in the lives of our players, can never be downplayed. Their constant support, guidance and strength, and more especially the stable environment they create, allow our players to thrive and go out there and do what they love.
To honour the extraordinary role these special women play in their lives and in celebration of Women’s Day on Wednesday 9th August, the Cell C Sharks players will have the name of the most significant female in their lives featured on the back of their playing jerseys for their Currie Cup match against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.
Apart from this initiative, the players are also wearing green armbands for all our matches during the month of August to show our support for the Jes Foord Foundation, rape survivors as well as our strong stance against rape.
The Jes Foord Foundation was formed in 2008, following the 21-year old Jes Foord’s traumatic gang rape by four men. Jes’s story is both moving and inspirational. Her courage and strength of purpose in the face of a horrific crime has resulted in something truly good coming out of something very bad.
Now aged 30, Jes works full-time at The Foundation. Jes and her team give motivational talks to schools and organisations, creating awareness of rape within the community and the importance of talking out against this crime. Their ultimate goal is to set up special care centres for survivors, where they can get all the medical, psychological and legal attention under one roof. In 2015, the foundation started a mentorship programme for young men, which aims to educate them about the importance of their future role in supporting our women and children in South Africa and making the right choices.
We at the Cell C Sharks salute Jes and her team for the great work that they are doing within our community to raise awareness about the issue of rape and assisting survivors.
Giving new meaning to the term ‘behind every great man stands a great woman’, the Cell C Sharks’ Women’s Day initiative marks a day on which the whole country will put women first.
According to Cell C Sharks Currie Cup captain, Ruan Botha: “We all had our moms standing next to the field screaming their lungs out at school games. Or a wife’s or girlfriend’s shoulder to cry on after a bad game. Paying tribute to them on Women’s Day, for their ultimate support, is the least we can do.
“We wish all the ladies in our Cell C Sharks family a Happy Women’s Day.”
The post #OurSharks Celebrate Women’s Day appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Although a busy schedule suggests rotation to keep the players fresh, Cell C Sharks head coach Robert du Preez hasn’t tinkered much with the team that defeated Griquas in their next match against the Blue Bulls on Wednesday.
The trio of Chiliboy Ralepelle, Daniel du Preez, and Curwin Bosch are all unavailable for the clash as they will be at a Springbok training camp this week, and their starting places are taken by Franco Marais, Tera Mtembu and Inny Radebe respectively. Jean-Luc du Preez who was rested last week has also been included in the Springbok squad.
There are no other changes to the starting line-up. With two matches being played in the space of a few days, the Cell C Sharks will be taking 26 players on their trip to Johannesburg. The bench for the match has not yet been confirmed.
The Cell C Sharks players have their work cut out for them as they head into a tough week that starts with a meeting against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Wednesday in a rare midweek fixture to Saturday’s showdown with the Golden Lions at Emirates Airline Park.
“I haven’t played three games in eight days since Craven Week, nor a midweek game,” says Keegan Daniel on our busy schedule.
“It’s different, but a nice change.”
Given the Blue Bulls tradition of big, heavy packs, the Cell C Sharks will look to match them with a forward pack of their own that Daniel rates highly.
“You wouldn’t look at our pack and say we’re a bit light or inexperienced; we do have experience,” he explains. We will be tested more than we have been so far in our campaign, but in the last two weeks we’ve shown what we are capable of and, if anything, we’ve left a few tries out there.”
The expectation is that the Blue Bulls are evolving the style of rugby they play and adding a few arrows to their quiver.
“I think they’re trying to change the way they play a bit, they’re trying to be a bit more dynamic and I think playing a different brand of rugby will be down to John Mitchell’s influence.
“Our test will be on defence because we haven’t really been tested for long periods of time during a game. There have been moments but there hasn’t been continuous pressure.”
Taking momentum into this game is crucial, and certainly something to give us a strong sense of belief.
“When you’re winning, you are confident and moral and spirits are high. But there is pressure on us to improve each week and we do want to keep our standards high in the Currie Cup.”
| The Cell C Sharks |
Replacements (Not yet confirmed) |
||
| 1 | Thomas du Toit | – | Akker van der Merwe |
| 2 | Franco Marais | – | Benhard Janse van Rensburg |
| 3 | Ross Geldenhuys | – | Cameron Wright |
| 4 | Tyler Paul | – | Jean Droste |
| 5 | Ruan Botha (Captain) | – | John-Hubert Meyer |
| 6 | Keegan Daniel | – | Juan Schoeman |
| 7 | Jacques Vermeulen | – | Louis Schreuder |
| 8 | Tera Mtembu | Marius Louw | |
| 9 | Michael Claassens | Mzamo Majola | |
| 10 | Inny Radebe | Odwa Ndungane | |
| 11 | S’bu Nkosi | Wian Vosloo | |
| 12 | Lukhanyo Am | ||
| 13 | Jeremy Ward | ||
| 14 | Kobus van Wyk | ||
| 15 | Garth April |
The post Minimal Changes for Bulls appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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