Carling Currie Cup action resumes today after a break of two weeks with the Cell C Sharks hosting the DHL Western Province in Durban @ 20h00.
Both sides have one win apiece, although Province has played two matches while the Cell C Sharks have had just the solitary game – a 24-23 victory over Tafel Lager Griquas in their only fixture to date. DHL Western Province lost to the Vodacom Bulls (21-40) in their last Currie Cup match in Cape Town.
As with the URC match on the weekend past, we can expect several handling mistakes due to the expected high humidity levels, however, most of the attention will be concentrated on the returning players for both Unions.
Expect a lot of kicking by both sides with the Sharks having the more exciting backline on the day. They will expect good quality ball from their forwards who also seem to be the better unit of the two sides.
Everybody is expecting a close game, however, if the Sharks' backline gets their hands on enough quality ball I can only see one winner on the day.
Marius Louw will lead a relatively experienced Cell C Sharks side brimming with talent, bolstered by the inclusion of eighthman Sikhumbuzo Notshe who makes a welcome return to the playing field after suffering a devastating knee injury in May last year that required surgery. He puts the disappointment of missing eight months of rugby action behind him as he now starts for the Cell C Sharks.
There is also the desire to keep a good track record at home and to make Hollywoodbets Kings Park a fortress and head coach Etienne Fynn’s side has the makings of something special in the team he has named for this clash.
Meanwhile, flyhalf Tim Swiel will captain DHL Western Province in their first away encounter in Durban. Swiel partners with experienced scrumhalf Godlen Masimla, with Mnombo Zwelendaba starting at outside centre, while there is an all-new back three with Sergeal Petersen at fullback and Leolin Zas and Andre Manuel on the wings.
Swiel partners with experienced scrumhalf Godlen Masimla, with Mnombo Zwelendaba starting at outside centre, while there is an all-new back three with Sergeal Petersen at fullback and Leolin Zas and Andre Manuel on the wings.
Up front the experienced Ali Vermaak comes into the starting front row, while David Meihuizen makes his return from injury in the second row.
This means that Simon Miller is back at flank, with Roelof Smit making his first start on the other side of the scrum.
Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter will also make his return from injury via a replacements bench which also features Springbok utility forward Hilton Lobberts.
DHL Western Province Head Coach Jerome Paarwater said that after the short break, his team is keen to show they can perform away from home.
“We put in some hard work last week and it will be good to see those plans come through on Wednesday.
“We have some experienced players coming into the starting line-up, so it will be good to see the impact they can make for us,” he said.
Weather: 27° Celsius, light clouds with 85% humidity but no rain expected. A mild Nort Easterly wind is expected.
Prediction: Cell C Sharks by 15
Cell C Sharks: 15 Inny-Christian Radebe, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Celimpilo Gumede, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Emile van Heerden, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanru Jacobs, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Olajuwon Noa, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Murray Koster.
DHL Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Andre Manuel, 13 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Tim Swiel (captain), 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Allister Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Jacques Goosen, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Hannes Gous, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Ethan James.