The Cell C Sharks will have their sights set firmly on a fourth successive victory and to leap into the top three on the standings to keep alive their aspirations of finishing the league stages in the top two when they host Connacht at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday at 16h05.
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But the KwaZulu-Natalians will be bracing themselves for a hard grind as the 10th placed Connacht are high on confidence after winning three of their last four away matches, while they are yet to be beaten by a South African side this season.
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has shown commitment to the saying, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ by naming the exact same match 23.
He has rewarded the side that beat the log leaders last week by showing complete faith in their abilities, with the good fortune of no injury issues to hamper continuity in team selection.
With two rounds remaining and the Cell C Sharks in fourth spot on the log, they’re looking good for the knock-outs. But not just a participant, explains captain Thomas du Toit.
“We’re not aiming to be in the top eight, we’re looking for a home quarter-final,” he explains. “We’ll treat each game as if it’s our last game and the only opportunity we’re going to get, so the focus on each game is massive.
“We’re treating each game like a final and the value of a home quarter-final can’t be underestimated. We’re playing for that.”
Looking at their opponents, 10th placed Connacht, he admits that they are a little different to their Irish compatriots, but offer threats of their own.
“Munster, Leinster, and Ulster have similar attacking and defensive patterns, whereas Connacht play a freer style of rugby. The other three have more structure, but Connacht is the more physical side, if not one of the most physical sides in the competition.
“Connacht is well prepared and well trained and it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
A win for Andy Friend’s Connacht side would cap a second win on their tour of South Africa and would ensure they become the first team to beat all four South African sides, having already defeated the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers and Emirates Lions.
There are six changes from the side that beat the Lions last week, with Finlay Bealham, Gavin Thornbury, Leva Fifita, Conor Oliver, Conor Fitzgerald and Tom Farrell all brought into the starting XV.
Bealham forms an experienced front row with Denis Buckley and Dave Heffernan, while Jarrad Butler captains the side from number 8 with Cian Prendergast at blindside flanker.
It’s a historic game for Monivea scrum-half Caolin Blade who reaches 150 appearances for the club, while Tom Daly partners Farrell at centre. The back three is unchanged so Mack Hansen again starts at full-back with wingers Alex Wootton and John Porch for company.
Commenting on the team selection, Head Coach Andy Friend says:
“Beating all four South African teams would be a tremendous achievement but we’re full aware we’ve a significant task ahead of us tomorrow. The Sharks have named a side full of Springbok internationals and will have a large and passionate fanbase behind them in Durban.
That said, the group has taken huge confidence from the win in Johannesburg and the atmosphere around the camp all week has been really positive.”
Weather: 22° with 19 km/h SSW wind, partly cloudy with 57% humidity with little chance of rain.
Prediction: Cell C Sharks by 15.
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Ben Tapuai, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Phendulani Buthelezi, 7. Henco Venter, 6. Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 4. Le Roux Roets, 3. Thomas du Toit (c), 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1. Retshegofaditswe Nche. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Jeandré Labuschagne, 21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Henry Chamberlain.
Connacht: 15. Mack Hansen, 14. John Porch, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Tom Daly, 11. Alex Wootton, 10. Conor Fitzgerald, 9. Caolin Blade, 8. Jarrad Butler, 7. Conor Oliver, 6. Cian Prendergast, 5. Leva Fifita, 4. Gavin Thornbury, 3. Finlay Bealham, 2. Dave Heffernan, 1. Denis Buckley. Replacements: 16. Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17. Jordan Duggan, 18. Jack Aungier, 19. Niall Murray, 20. Oisín Dowling, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Jack Carty, 23. Tiernan O’Halloran.