It’s team one on the log hosting team two as Western Province and the Cell C Sharks go head-to-head at Newlands Stadium in our penultimate Currie Cup clash of the pool stages on Saturday.
Both teams are unbeaten and have accrued maximum log points from four previous fixtures heading into this huge coastal derby. The winner of this match is likely (but not assured) of finishing on top and therefore, in a best case scenario, enjoying home ground advantage in the semis and final.
Formidable prop Coenie Oosthuizen who made his return to action last weekend in the win over the Golden Lions after an agonisingly long, 10 month injury layoff, can be expected to throw himself into this game with even more energy and fervour.
But he warns that it’s going to be no easy feat if the Cell C Sharks are to come away victorious against the log leaders (on points differential only).
“They’re a phenomenal team, also unbeaten, and we know there is plenty of pressure on us for this game, even if we’re also unbeaten,” he explains.
“Although we have won all the games so far and it is easier when you’re winning rather than losing, the job doesn’t change. It doesn’t matter how good you were the last game, the next game is the most important thing.
“So there’s pressure to perform and pressure to be your best and always pressure for the team to bring their best. You’re only as good as your last game and we’re not resting on our past victories, we do our preparation 100% and respect every opposition. Western Province deserve every bit of respect they have earned.
“We’re feeling the pressure on us to win, but each and every one of us is up for the challenge, we want to win this game, we want to remain unbeaten in the tournament.”
Head coach Robert du Preez has made just two changes to his matchday 22, Jacques Vermeulen returns to the starting line-up after returning to action and playing off the bench, swapping jerseys with Luke Stringer.
The second change is on the bench, with Leolin Zas coming in for Sbu Nkosi who is on Bok duty.
The match, taking place at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday, kicks off at 2pm.
The Cell C Sharks
- Juan Schoeman
- Chiliboy Ralepelle (C)
- Thomas du Toit
- Gideon Koegelenberg
- Hyron Andrews
- Jacques Vermeulen
- Tyler Paul
- Daniel du Preez
- Louis Schreuder
- Robert du Preez
- Lwazi Mvovo
- Marius Louw
- Jeremy Ward
- Kobus van Wyk
- Curwin Bosch
Replacements
- Akker van der Merwe
- Coenie Oosthuizen
- Ruben van Heerden
- Luke Stringer
- Cameron Wright
- Leolin Zas
- Aphelele Fassi
The post Top of the Table Clash appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
With two rounds still remaining in the SA Rugby Under 19 Championship, the Cell C Sharks Under 19s have secured top spot and cannot be usurped from prime position as they look ahead to Friday afternoon’s clash with Free State at home.
The Blue Bulls, their closest rivals trail by eight points and with only one more match ahead, cannot catch the Cell C Sharks under 19s.
It’s been a phenomenal year for coach Sean Everitt’s team who have not yet tasted defeat, winning all 10 of their matches to date seven of them with bonus points for an impressive haul of 47 out of a maximum 50 log points. The 39-31 win over Western Province on home soil last weekend would have been particularly satisfying.
Sean Everitt has made two changes to last week’s team: hooker Fezo Mbatha is carrying a slight niggle and is replaced by the hard working Dylan Richardson while DJ Falconer comes in at inside centre for Murray Koster to give Murray a week off to rest his niggles.
“We are exceptionally happy with where the team currently is,” said Everitt. “We would have never thought we would be unbeaten after 10 rounds of the competition, although it was always our goal. We have improved as a group and we’ll continue to learn and hopefully improve even more.”
Finding motivation is always key, but perhaps a challenge (or not?) for a team that has yet to suffer the bitter taste of defeat, and who have already wrapped up top spot.
“It’s important for us that we build on the recent performances we’ve had, we had two tough games – against the Bulls and Province – and had to dig deep, but there is still room for improvement. In saying that, the players have set themselves goals and standards; they want to achieve.
“The guys are winning and they’re enjoying themselves. There’s a great team spirit, they’re switched on and they understand what they need to do.”
He admitted that they are in for another tough game this weekend as Free State chase a top four finish.
“They’re a difficult team to play against, they have a good, well-coached forward pack. They gave us a hard time in Bloemfontein in the first round so we are expecting an onslaught from them.”
Meanwhile the Cell C Sharks Under 21s will look to bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Western Province last weekend. However, they are still well in the running in a tightly-contested competition with enough congestion on the table to suggest that at this stage, no team can be assured of finishing on any particular position on the log.
Head coach Ricardo Loubscher has made a handful of changes, with Franco Botha coming in for Matt Wiseman at hooker while Jacques Ackerman makes way for Kwanda Dimaza at eighthman.
Amongst the back, Francois de Villiers replaces scrumhalf Xavier Swartbooi with Khail Kotzenberg coming in at inside centre with James Tedder shifting to the number 13 jersey.
The Under 19s kick off their match at 1pm at Jonsson KINGS PARK with the Under 21s playing at 3pm.
Cell C Sharks Under 19s
- James Scott
- Dylan Richardson
- Francois Klopper
- Lappies Labuschagne
- JJ van der Mescht
- Vian Fourie
- Adam Mountford
- Phepsi Buthelezi (C)
- Sanele Nohamba
- Henry Chamberlain
- Asanda Kunene
- DJ Falconer
- Muller du Plessis
- Caleb Dingaan
- Thaakir Abrahams
Replacements
- Mark Venter
- Cole Haggard
- Charles Staples
- Ignacio Vidal
- Sean Barnes
- Matthew Doyle
- Kieran Houlston
- Onke Jiba
Cell C Sharks Under 21s
- Jordan Els
- Franco Botha
- Khutha Mchunu (C)
- Dylan Weideman
- Andrew Evans
- Austin Brummer
- Marco Palvie
- Kwanda Dimaza
- Francois de Villiers
- Courtney Winnaar
- Ilunga Mukendi
- Khail Kotzenberg
- James Tedder
- Mfundo Ndhlovu
- Shane van Rooyen
Replacements
- Matt Wiseman
- Christiaan de Jager
- Jacques Ackerman
- William Squires
- Xavier Swartbooi
- Gareth Simpson
- Sicelo Tole
The post Winding Down and Looking Up appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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