The Cell C Sharks will host the Tafel Lager Griquas in the last match of Round 8 of the 2021 Carling Currie Cup competition @ 14h30 tomorrow.
Tafel Lager Griquas, currently in the third spot on the log, have the unenviable task of facing the table-topping Cell C Sharks.
The Durbanites have missed out on playing several games but showed their class in their last encounter when they beat the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
They will be hoping to repeat their 30-16 first-round victory over the men from the Northern Cape when Boeta Chamberlain slotted a drop-goal, the only one of the entire first half of the Carling Currie Cup.
Griquas are currently in the third spot on the log and after seeing off the likes of the Sigma Lions and DHL Western Province, the latter a historic victory in Cape Town will come to Durban high on confidence, knowing that they are doing a lot right in this year’s tournament.
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has largely stuck with the same team that performed so well last week against the Cheetahs, naming Lourens Adriaanse at tighthead in place of Khutha Mchunu while Mpilo Gumede comes in for Dylan Richardson at flank.
There are three changes in the backline, Sanele Nohamba replacing Grant Williams, Murray Koster coming in for an injured Marius Louw and Yaw Penxe replacing Marnus Potgieter on the wing.
Cell C Sharks prop Ntuthuko Mchunu warns that their opponents are going to be tough, but that his team haven’t been idly watching things unfold in the efforts that have taken them to the top of the log.
“It’s been a good week’s preparation,” he explained in the lead-up to the match. “We took a lot of confidence out of the win over the Cheetahs, although we are brushing up for this weekend’s game and cleaning up a few things.”
Of the opposition, he acknowledged that they will have a real fight on their hands if they want to do the double against the side from Kimberley after their first-round (30-16) win in June.
“They’re a difficult bunch, they play with a lot of pride and they have a lot of experience in their squad. We’re looking forward to a massive battle up front, we know they’re going to take us on, especially at scrum time and the lineout maul.
“They’ve had a very good campaign so far, they’re in the top three and currently on a roll after putting down two of the big teams which will be a big, big confidence booster for them.”
Tafel Lager Griquas head coach Scott Mathie has made two changes two his starting lineup.
Sibabalo Qoma replaces Hanru Sirgel at 7 with Sirgel dropping down to the bench. Stefan Willemse replaces Cameron Lindsay at lock with Lindsay who also drops down to the bench.
Prediction: Although Griquas had a good run the last few weeks it will take a brilliant effort from them to pull off another
Cell C Sharks: 15. Anthony Volmink, 14. Yaw Penxe, 13. Werner Kok, 12. Murray Koster, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7. Mpilo Gumede, 6. James Venter, 5. Reniel Hugo, 4. Le Roux Roets, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Mzamo Majola, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Thembelani Bholi, 20. Henco Venter, 21. Jaden Hendrikse, 22. Lionel Cronje, 23. Jeremy Ward.
Griquas: 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Stefan Willemse, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Mox Mxoli. Replacements (from): 16 HJ Luus, 17 Andrew Kuhn, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Cameron Lindsay, 20 Hanru Sirgel, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Ederies Arendse, 24 Tijde Visser, 25 Luyolo Dapula, 26 Theo Boshoff.