Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
DHL Western Province will host the Cell C Sharks at 16h30 in Cape Town for the second semi-final of the 2021 Carling Currie Cup. Saturday’s game will mark the first time the sides meet this season after both matches were cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols.
The hosts will also have a point to prove after suffering defeats in their last two Carling Currie Cup matches against the Cell C Sharks, while they won only one of their last three matches against the teams at DHL Newlands.
In the event of teams being level on the scoreboard at the end of the regular 80 minutes of play, 20 minutes of extra time will be played – two stanzas of 10 minutes each – with the side in the lead on the scoreboard advancing to the final. If the teams are still level, the side that progresses to the final will be determined by the most tries in the match, and then the highest log position following the completion of the pool rounds.
After everything was added and subtracted to name a favourite, the absence of loosehead Steven Kitshoff is widely accepted as the reason why the Cell C Sharks are the favourites going into the match.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is back at openside flank and will lead DHL Western Province after having missed the previous two games due to COVID-19 protocols.
There are two further changes to the forward pack, with lock Salmaan Moerat also making his return, while in the front row loosehead prop Ali Vermaak makes his first start of the season in the absence of Steven Kitshoff who was ruled out through COVID-19 protocols.
The backline that did duty in DHL Western Province’s victory against the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein three weeks ago remains unchanged.
DHL Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said that his team is intent on making the most of every minute out on the DHL Newlands pitch on Saturday.
“We have earned the right to play this semifinal at DHL Newlands and we want to deliver a fitting performance on Saturday.
“We have had time to prepare properly and we are fielding a number of settled combinations, so the challenge is to go out there and put together an 80-minute performance and secure our place in the final next week,” he said.
Captain Siya Kolisi said that his team are aware of the responsibility they have to represent those that have worn the jersey before them as well as all those who have enjoyed watching rugby at DHL Newlands over the years.
“The DHL Newlands Faithful have been missed the whole season and our motivation is even more because we feel like it has been a long time since we have given them something to smile about. They have been so loyal to us and have always been here, even through the roughest of periods.
“There are so many players who have gone before here at DHL Newlands, it means so much to so many people. We are the group that is chosen to be playing and closing the chapter at DHL Newlands and that is a huge honour for us.
“Whatever happens we are going to be the team that plays the last game at DHL Newlands and we want to make sure we are remembered for something good,” he said.
One player who will not be a part of the action on Saturday is talismanic loosehead Steven Kitshoff, who was ruled out due to COVID-19 protocols. Kitshoff has captained the team when Kolisi has not been available this season, leading from the front as one of the top performers in the competition.
Kolisi said that the team are determined to give Kitshoff the chance to play in the final next week.
“It is tough to miss a guy like Kitsie, who has been instrumental for this team.
“It is part of our motivation, playing at DHL Newlands. We are closing the book here and we also want to make sure we give our best for Kitsie who has been great for the team, so we also want to give him another opportunity to play next week,” he said.
The Cell C Sharks head coach has now been able to select from a full squad after Covid-19 delays allowed those not available to get through the protocols and return for contention. Springbok prop Thomas du Toit is back from a few weeks on the sideline and will anchor the scrum in one of five personnel changes to Sean Everitt’s starting team.
Lukhanyo Am leads the team with flank Henco Venter adding his voice to the leadership that will be required in a high stakes clash such as this one.
Am, in the lead-up to the game, admitted: “The delay was a blessing in disguise, giving teams a longer period to prepare for the semi-finals and to sharpen up on the issues that needed to be improved upon.”
He added that he didn’t believe there would be a break in their momentum, saying: “With the group we have that’s been together for a long time, missing a week isn’t something that we feel will bite us. It happens in the season anyway, I still believe it came at the perfect time.”
The match has been hyped up as pitting an exciting Cell C Sharks’ backline against a dominant Province pack and Am felt that both sides will be looking to counter their opponents’ strengths.
“We know what Western Province’s strengths are in terms of set-piece dominance, they’ve proven it throughout the comp, so from our side, we’ve been working on us mainly, to try strengthen any parts we feel need working on.
“If we’re able to get our own set-piece going and challenge them on theirs, I think it will be a very exciting game to watch.”
Dylan Richardson and Sanele Nohamba are promoted from the bench and will start at flanker and scrumhalf respectively, while the experienced backline duo of Marius Louw (centre) and Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi are also back in the run-on side.
“We know what Western Province’s strengths are in terms of set-piece dominance, they’ve proven it throughout the competition, so from our side, we’ve been working on us mainly, to try strengthen any parts we feel need working on,” said Cell C Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am.
Teams:
DHL Western Province – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements (from): 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Jaco Coetzee, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Ruhan Nel, 24 Sazi Sandi, 25 Tristan Leyds.
Cell C Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Manie Libbok.