The Cell C Sharks kick off the second half of the Currie Cup competition when they host Windhoek Draught Griquas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park at 13:30 (SA Time) on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides come off important wins last weekend and in the fight for log positions, the Cell C Sharks are currently third, while Griquas occupy fourth place, the result of this game has a big implication on both sides’ campaigns.
Reflecting on last week’s 24-17 victory over Toyota Free State, Cell C Sharks Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo explained that, “Last week, the team tactically was good and also they showed a lot of character to defend the way they did at the back-end. But defending leads should not be our mindset, it should be to continue to score, that’s the next level: when we’ve played tactically well and the other team defends well, we find a way to score points in the midst of that pressure.
“So that’s probably our biggest take away from that game.”
Looking ahead to the Griquas game, he pointed out that, “They’re coming off a good win over the Griffons at home, scoring six tries and obviously they’ll be on a high. They’ve done well in Durban in the past so they will have a lot of confidence and belief that they can do well again.”
Mongalo has made three personnel and one rotational change to his side this week, explaining that, “They speak about the price of success and this week we lose a couple of our core players to the senior team for the URC, but we’re here to serve the flagship team.”
In the pack, Kerron van Vuuren replaces Fez Mbatha at hooker, while Ockie Barnard moves into Corne Rahl’s position, with Reniel Hugo partnering him at lock and Thembelani Bholi in for James Venter on the flank.
The backline remains intact aside from a change at fullback where Thaakir Abrahams comes in for Nevaldo Fleurs.
“Losing four of your starting 15 naturally results in a number of changes to the team and we start from ground zero again, but hopefully the positive energy from the win against Free State will help us through those changes and that we do more of the same this week.
“We have a pretty decent record at home and we hope to continue that. We love the people of Durban, they’re good to us, they support us passionately and we want to play in a way that those coming to watch us feel that they’re seeing effort, attitude and an organised, well-coached team of players, willing to put in the kind of effort that honours the jersey.”
Cell C Sharks: 1. Khwezi Mona, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 4. Ockie Barnard, 5. Reniel Hugo (c), 6. Tinotenda Mavesere, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 8. Henco Venter, 9. Bradley Davids, 10. Lionel Cronje, 11. Marnus Potgieter, 12. Alwayno Visagie, 13. Joshua Jonas, 14. Yaw Penxe, 15. Thaakir Abrahams. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Marco de Witt, 20. Damon Royle, 21. Tiaan Fourie, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Murray Koster.