Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
There will be a rejuvenated sense of energy this weekend as the local rugby season switches to the next chapter with the opening round of the Carling Currie Cup, with three matches to be broadcast live on SuperSport. The Cell C Sharks and Phakisa Pumas will kick off the competition in Durban at 19h00 on Friday.
With the entire Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked log being carried over into the Carling Currie Cup, the Vodacom Bulls will enter the competition with a four-point lead over DHL Western Province and the Cell C Sharks, who have each earned 19 points. The Toyota Cheetahs trail by a further two points (17) and the fifth-placed Xerox Lions are on 12 points. But the real pressure will be on the Phakisa Pumas and Tafel Lager Griquas, who are at the foot of the standings on seven and three points respectively.
The Cell C Sharks, who come off an enforced break after their match was cancelled last week due to COVID-19 protocols, will be hunting their fourth successive victory this season when they take the field against the Phakisa Pumas in Durban. However, they will be wary of the visitors who won the Carling Currie Cup match-up between the sides last year, and who have shown promise in their performances this season,
Sean Everitt (head coach) of the Cell C Sharks has been forced into making a number of changes - predominantly in the pack - for this match, although there is a settled look about a Cell C Sharks side that has been able to rotate and add squad depth over the course of the last seven weeks, which saw them move into the third spot on the log.
Former Junior Bok JJ van der Mescht moves from lock to the side of the scrum for this encounter, while Thembelani Bholi moves to No 8.
“JJ van der Mescht adds bulk to our pack and we believe that he has the necessary skill set to excel in that position,” said Everitt.
“It is an experiment to see how he goes in the absence of players like Henco Venter and Phepsi Buthelezi.
“He partners Thembelani Bholi at No 8, while Dylan Richardson continues in the open side role where he has played very well over the last few weeks and deserves to retain his place on the side of the scrum.”
There is only one change in the backline where Manie Libbok comes in for Anthony Volmink at fullback.
“Anthony has suffered an AC injury which will keep him out of action for a period of time,” the coach confirmed.
“There are a number of changes on the bench - Khwezi Mona comes in on a rotational basis and we have given SA Under 20 tighthead prop Hanro Jacobs his first opportunity for the Cell C Sharks due to the unavailability of a few tightheads.
“Sikhumbuzo Notshe returns after isolation protocols while SA Sevens player Zain Davids, who has been with us for some time, gets an opportunity off the bench. He’s shown a lot of promise at training.
“Finally, Sbu Nkosi fulfils a role off the bench after being forced to miss training while awaiting results of a routine COVID test.”
Phakisa Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse made six changes to his starting team, one of which was a positional switch, while he picked five new players in his starting team from the side that went down 21-5 against the Vodacom Bulls last week.
One of the changes is a positional switch, while Stonehouse picked five new players in his starting team from the side that went down 21-5 against the Vodacom Bulls in the final round of Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked last weekend.
There are three changes in the backline – Morne Joubert (wing) replaces Luther Obi, Ali Mgijima takes over from Wayne van der Bank at inside centre, and Ginter Smuts comes in for Chriswill September at scrumhalf.
Two of the changes upfront are in the loose trio – Daniel Maartens slots in at flanker, which results in a positional switch for Francois Kleinhans to No 8 – and in the front row, where Liam Hendricks earns a start at loosehead prop.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Thembelani Bholi, 7 JJ van der Mescht, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Zain Davids, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Werner Kok, 23 Sbu Nkosi.
Phakisa Pumas: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Morne Joubert, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Devon William, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Willem Engelbrecht, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Francouis Klenhans, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4. Brendon Snyman 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 HP van Schoor, 1 Liam Hendricks. Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Wikus Groenewald, 18 Brandon Valentyn, 19 Heath Backhouse, 20 Chriswill September, 21 Wayne van der Bank, 22 Theo Boshoff, 23 Dewald Maritz.