Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has thrown in a number of players who were part of the conditioning group and are now ready to play in Friday evening’s match against the Vodacom Bulls at Jonsson Kings Park.
Amongst them are newly-signed Springbok captain Siya Kolisi who starts on the side of the scrum while the front row sees the return of Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit. Ruben van Heerden partners with namesake Emile in the second row while Henco Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe complete the back row.
Jaden Hendrikse partners Boeta Chamberlain with Marius Louw back at inside centre, as is Sbu Nkosi on the wing and Anthony Volmink completing the changes at fullback.
Flying winger Yaw Penxe was back in action for the Cell C Sharks last week after training with the conditioning group for the opening two matches of the preparation series and is again named in the starting line-up.
“It was lovely to take the field again,” he enthused. “We were really hungry to play and being back in action was really special.”
Looking ahead to Friday night’s match against the Bulls (kick-off at 7pm), he believes it’s going to be a real spectacle of rugby featuring the Currie Cup finalists.
“It’s going to be a big one, I assume the Bulls will also play their senior players. It’s going to be a huge clash, one we’re really looking forward to.
“There’s a vibe amongst the boys, a lot of excitement.”
Given the team’s goals in this series of matches, not so much about the results as creating finesse around the style of play, the game plan and developing depth, Penxe believes the team has really benefited.
“We did achieve what we wanted to in fine-tuning our processes, and in our losses, it was discipline here or there or just minor errors.
“Going into this final game, we’re looking to put everything into place and hopefully put in a really proper performance.”
Cell C Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Fez Mbatha
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Ruben van Heerden
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Siya Kolisi
7. Henco Venter (V/C)
8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Boeta Chamberlain
11. Yaw Penxe
12. Marius Louw
13. Lukhanyo Am (Captain)
14. Sbu Nkosi
15. Anthony Volmink
Replacements:
16. Kerron van Vuuren
17. Mzamo Majola
18. John-Hubert Meyer
19. JJ van der Mescht
20. Phepsi Buthelezi
21. Sanele Nohamba
22. Rynhardt Jonker
23. Aphelele Fassi
The post Strong Squad for Bulls appeared first on The Sharks.
Despite going down narrowly to the Lions in the preparation series match in Johannesburg on the weekend, the Cell C Sharks have plenty of positives to take out of the game.
In the final analysis, a solitary penalty separated the two teams and it was only at the death that the Lions secured the win in a 12 try, 43-40 thriller, both sides scoring six tries in an exciting clash.
“We’re disappointed that we didn’t get the result in the end,” said head coach Sean Everitt after the match. “It was a highly entertaining game and from a metrics point of view, it was exactly what we wanted to do.
“We know it is a series of preparation games and apart from actually playing some rugby, it’s good for us to use it as a conditioning exercise as well. In the three games we’ve played, the guys have shown good intensity and they’ve been very brave with ball in hand.”
Given that there was an influx of new players for the match, it was never going to be fluid but it is all part of a process outside of a competition.
“We did struggle at times with discipline issues at the breakdown, there were also a couple of set-piece issues, including the kick-offs” Everitt conceded. “But all in all, a great performance and a lot of courage shown by the boys to come back from a half-time deficit.”
The Cell C Sharks struck back heroically in the second half after trailing the home side 26-14 at the break. The Lions had scored first but Aphelele Fassi responded after some good work from young centre Rynhard Jonker.
The Lions scored tries two and three before Werner Kok added our second thanks to a good cross kick from Boeta Chamberlain. A fourth try for the Lions extended their first half lead to 12 points before the second half fightbak.
Dylan Richardson scored a brace of tries either side of one for the home team and then two from Ntuthuko Mchunu after the Lions had their sixth meant the teams were drawn at 40 points apiece. A last gasp penalty gave the Lions the win.
“Some great rugby was played and there are some good exciting boys coming through,” said the coach. “Rynhard Jonker and Emile van Heerden played their first senior games for the Cell C Sharks and it was also exciting to see the young Ntuthuko Mchunu come on and make the impact that he did, especially with the 50 metre try. He’s a guy who has certainly come through well in the preparation series.
“And that’s what it’s been all about for us, we’ve been able to give every squad member at least two games which is pleasing for us because we have grown our squad and given some guys a taste of experience, especially the Under 21s from last year who never had much opportunity to play due to Covid.
“We’re now looking forward to the Bulls game this week. The guys are coming off a big high after performing well against the Lions and we’re looking for an improvement in our performance as well as an improvement in accuracy and execution.
“Once again, there will be different combinations this week which is exciting for the players and they’re all really amped to show their talents out on the field.”
The post Praise for the Youngsters appeared first on The Sharks.
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