Carling Currie Cup action returns this weekend, with the table-topping Cell C Sharks travelling to Nelspruit in a tricky away assignment to face the Airlink Pumas tonight @ 19h00.
The in-form Durban side defeated the Sigma Lions 45-31 in Johannesburg in their previous outing almost two weeks ago to move to the top of the standings, making it three from three and 14 out of a maximum 15 points on offer.
The Airlink Pumas also trumped the Sigma Lions by a big score in their second match of the competition, but subsequent losses to Tafel Lager Griquas and the Toyota Cheetahs mean they will be desperate for a good performance against the high-flying Cell C Sharks.
The Airlink Pumas is due to have a "big" game sooner than later and the table-topping Cell C Sharks could just become their second "big" victim of the 2022 Carling Currie Cup. Unfortunately a strong Cell C Sharks team will be ready for the challenge and should return home unbeaten.
Airlink Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has made several changes to his starting line-up.
Three changes and one positional change were made to the backline. Tapiwa Mfura will start at the fullback while Sebastian de Klerk is the new face on the wing. Tinus de Beer is promoted from the bench to replace Eddie Fouche who will move to the inside centre.
Up front, Anele Lungisa will start on the bench while Corne Fourie will start at the hooker.
Head coach of the Cell C Sharks Currie Cup team, Etienne Fynn, has had no hesitation in naming an extremely experienced side for this clash with the acknowledgement that the Pumas will throw everything at his charges.
Composure, accuracy and calmness under pressure will be vital components towards maintaining their unbeaten record in the competition. The inclusion of experienced players should produce that calming effect for the younger players and provide the platform for them to shine.
With the Vodacom United Rugby Championship running concurrently with the Currie Cup, when there is a break in the tournament, the opportunity arises for extra game time in the Currie Cup and Fynn has the good fortune of being able to include a number of these experienced players in his team, with an international here and there to further bolster the team’s stocks.
With three wins from three and 14 out of a maximum of 15 points, the Cell C Sharks are top of the table and will want to continue their rich vein of form, although they won’t have it easy against a team that aims high, particularly against the traditionally bigger unions.
The Pumas haven’t quite enjoyed the start they’d like to the competition, with just one win from their four matches to date but they have produced the biggest win in the tournament, a 50-9 victory over the Sigma Lions, a team who themselves are finding this year’s tournament difficult, as they prop up the log still chasing a first victory.
Winning is a habit and it’s a habit the team will want to continue – even improve upon – this weekend as they look to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack behind them.
Airlink Pumas: 15. Tapiwa Mafura, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 13. Alwayno Visagie, 12. Eddie Fouche, 11. Jade Stighling, 10. Tinus de Beer, 9. Lucky Dlepu, 8. Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7. Anele Lungisa, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Shane Kirkwood, 4. Malembe Mpofu, 3. Simon Raw, 2. Corne Fourie, 1. Ruan Kramer. Replacements: 16. Llewellyn Classen, 17. Dewald Maritz, 18. IG Prinsloo, 19. Darrien Landsberg, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Chriswill September, 22. Devon Williams, 23. Ali Mgijima.
Sharks: 15. Inny-Christian Radebe, 14. Yaw Penxe, 13. Jeremy Ward, 12. Murray Koster, 11. Marnus Potgieter, 10. Henry Chamberlain, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Celimpilo Gumede, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 6. James Venter (captain), 5. Reniel Hugo, 4. Le Roux Roets, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 2. Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1. Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Khwezi Mona, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Corne Rahl, 20. Olajuwon Noa, 21. Bradley Davids, 22. Jordan Chait, 23. Curwin Gertse.