Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
Tafel Lager Griquas will host the Cell C Sharks in Kimberley tomorrow @ 13h30 in the first round of the 2021 Carling Currie Cup. South Africa’s premier domestic rugby competition will pit seven provincial franchises against one another over 14 weeks between Friday 18 June and Saturday 28 August, and with the Springboks away on national duty, this opens the window of opportunity for the unearthing of new talent.
Both sides in action in the first match on Saturday in Kimberley will be led out by new captains, both of whom led the Junior Springboks earlier in their careers.
Ruan Steenkamp, a former Vodacom Bulls looseforward who made the move to Kimberley a few months ago, will captain the men from the Northern Cape, while the 22-year-old Phepsi Buthelezi has been handed the reins for the Cell C Sharks.
Griquas coach Scott Mathie has made four changes to his team, which won against the Toyota Cheetahs (23-19) a week ago in a warm-up match. for their opening match of the Currie Cup season.
George Whitehead starts in the place of Tinus de Beer, who is injured while Sibabalo Qoma is the new blindside flank in place of Stefan Willemse.
Mzwanele Zito starts at lock in place of Adre Smith and the final change sees ex Vodacom Bull hooker Janco Uys in place of Alandre van Rooyen.
Phepsi Buthelezi will lead a formidable and very familiar-looking Cell C Sharks side in their Carling Currie Cup opener against the Tafel Lager Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon as an exciting new chapter awaits.
Commenting on the appointment of his new captain who will lead his troops out onto the field on Saturday, Everitt said that it was Buthelezi’s leadership and maturity that made the decision an easy one.
“Phepsi was head boy at his school and captained the teams he played for at DHS and he’s a player mature beyond his years. He came to The Sharks at the Under 19 level and excelled as a captain in the unbeaten team that won the trophy in 2018.
“Due to this and the performances, and his impressive leadership he became the national Under 20 captain in 2019, representing South Africa at the Junior World Cup.
“He has been playing exceptionally well, he’s a guy who has come through the ranks and we believe he is someone who can use this Currie Cup experience as a leader to take the Cell C Sharks forward in an exciting future.”
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Ederies Arendse, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Andries Schutte, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel. Replacements – from: Tiaan van der Merwe, Andrew Kuhn, Ewald van der Westhuizen, Jeandré Leonard, Hanru Sirgel, Raegan Oranje, Theo Boshoff, Christopher Hollis, Tijde Visser, Enver Brandt, Ashlon Davids.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Reniel Hugo, 21 Mpilo Gumede, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Marnus Potgieter.