A highly charged Currie Cup semi-final will be staged in Durban on Saturday at 17h30 when the Cell C Sharks host current Currie Cup champions the Airlink Pumas.
Last year’s champions, the Airlink Pumas, will come to Durban planning big things, their third-place finish proof of their prowess this season. However, they are up against a Cell C Shark team that has been together all campaign and formed a formidable head of steam as the tournament headed for the knockout stages.
The Cell C Sharks lost 44-5 to DHL Western Province last week. The heavy defeat in Cape Town cost Joey Mongalo’s team a first-place finish in the standings, although they will enjoy home advantage when they face the Airlink Pumas, who are coming off a 27-17 win against Windhoek Draught Griquas in Kimberley.
The KwaZulu-Natalians beat the defending champions twice during the league phase, claiming a 19-12 win in Durban in round five, and a 24-22 victory in Nelspruit in round 10.
The semi-final in Durban on Saturday could witness another fiercely contested, low-scoring affair. The Cell C Sharks conceded the fewest tries during the regular season (37) while the Airlink Pumas conceded the second-fewest (38).
Cell C Shark coach Joey Mongalo has gone to the tried and tested as the Currie Cup semi-final looms large this weekend.
Reniel Hugo continues his impressive leadership as he captains a side markedly different to last week’s team. He and his teammates were given a much-needed rest and now return to action in front of a passionate home crowd.
Airlink Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has named an unchanged match-day 23.
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo (c), 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Ockie Barnard, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Curwin Bosch.
Airlink Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Andrew Kota, 13 Diego Appolis, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Francois Kleinhans, 6 Andre Fouche, 5 Shane Kirkwood (c), 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Simon Raw, 2 Pieter Jacobs, 1 Corne Fourie. Replacements: 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Deward Martitz, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Gene Willemse, 23 Wian van Niekerk.