It all comes down to this final week of pool games in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship as teams jockey for log positions and knock-out appearances, while the Cell C Sharks couldn’t have received a more timely boost in their quest for the South African Shield.
After his two month sojourn in Japan, Lukhanyo Am has rejoined the Cell C Sharks for their final match – against Irish side Ulster on Friday evening – ahead of the quarter-finals.
Currently, in third place on the URC log and leading the South African Shield, the Cell C Sharks are only too aware of the importance riding on this match. They have Ulster themselves, as well as the Stormers and Bulls all hoping the Durban side slip up and use that opportunity to leap-frog them into a better log position.
With Leinster and Munster engaged in a top of the table battle on Saturday, a win for the log leaders and the Cell C Sharks could ensure that the Durbanites finish in second place on the log and home ground advantage for the quarter and semi-finals.
Sean Everitt’s 27-man squad arrived in Belfast late Monday afternoon in preparation for the clash against Ulster at 8.35pm on Friday.
Cell C Sharks Touring Squad
Forwards: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 3. Thomas du Toit (c), 4. Khutha Mchunu, 5. Lourens Adriaanse, 6. Kerron van Vuuren, 7. Bongi Mbonambi, 8. Dan Jooste, 9. Ruben van Heerden, 10. Reniel Hugo, 11. Hyron Andrews, 12. Siya Kolisi, 13. Jeandre Labuschagne, 14. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 15. Phepsi Buthelezi, 16. Henco Venter.
Backs: 1. Grant Williams, 2. Jaden Hendrikse, 3. Cameron Wright, 4. Curwin Bosch, 5. Boeta Chamberlain, 6. Marius Louw, 7. Lukhanyo Am, 8. Werner Kok, 9. Marnus Potgieter, 10. Makazole Mapimpi, 11. Aphelele Fassi.