Today sees the launch of the PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA with a pair of fixtures that are sure to catch the eye. After a breathless first weekend of action in the northern hemisphere competition, the South African edition promises to deliver further must-watch rugby.
The DHL Stormers will host the Cell C Sharks in the opening match at the Cape Town Stadium at 14h00 on Saturday in what is expected to be a thrilling coastal derby, which is also the Durbanites’ first visit to the Cape outfit’s new home ground.
In Cape Town, the DHL Stormers will look to get the competition off to a winning start and to improve their track record against the Cell C Sharks. The KwaZulu-Natalians have dominated the encounters between the coastal rivals, winning four of their last six matches which included Carling Currie Cup semi-final at DHL Newlands in January.
The hosts, however, will have noticed that the biggest points margin between the teams in these matches was 12 points, and that in their last 31 matches they only trail the Durbanites by three victories, which is expected to set the scene for an enticing duel.
DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson said that his team are determined to start the PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA on a positive note at their new home.
“This will be our first competitive match at Cape Town Stadium and we want to ensure that we get some early momentum in this competition,” said Dobson.
“The PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA is something we have all been looking forward to and our focus is on delivering a cohesive team performance that makes the most of the considerable talent we have running out for us on Saturday.”
Cell C Sharks coach Sean Everitt is expecting something different from the Capetonians on Saturday: “In the Currie Cup, Western Province were more set-piece orientated, but I think the Stormers will come with a mixture of styles on Saturday.
“They would have taken a lot of confidence from the warm-up matches (earlier this year) where they scored some great tries and their attack certainly came on in leaps and bounds. That makes it more difficult for us, but if we nullify them up front then we should be okay,” said Everitt.
DHL Stormers: Damian Willemse, Edwill van der Merwe, Ruhan Nel, Rikus Pretorius, Seabelo Senatla, Kade Wolhuter, Herschel Jantjies, Steven Kitshoff (captain), Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Willie Engelbrecht, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Nama Xaba, Marvin Orie, JD Schickerling.
Replacements (from): 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Abner van Reenen, 23 Dan du Plessis, 24 David Meihuizen, 25 Marcel Theunissen, 26 Leolin Zas.
Cell C Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am (CAPT), Jeremy Ward, Yaw Penxe, Curwin Bosch, Grant Williams; Ox Nche, Fez Mbatha, Thomas du Toit, Ruben van Heerden, Reniel Hugo, Siya Kolisi, Henco Venter, Sikhumbuzo Notshe. Replacements: Kerron van Vuuren: Ntuthuko Mchunu, Wiehahn Herbst, JJ van der Mescht, Phepsi Buthelezi, Sanele Nohamba, Manie Libbok, Werner Kok.