After a number of matches against foreign opposition in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, it’s time for local action when the Cell C Sharks host the Emirates Lions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon @ 16h05.
Successful teams are those that enjoy continuity and consistency in team selection and head coach Sean Everitt has once more had the good fortune to retain pretty much the same side that defeated the Dragons 51-3 in Durban last weekend with a couple of rotational changes thrown in to keep everyone fresh and hungry.
Reniel Hugo returns to the starting line-up with Le Roux Roets shifting to the bench while Springbok captain Siya Kolisi also gets a start for James Venter who led the Currie Cup side to victory over Griquas on Wednesday evening. The final change to the pack sees Henco Venter coming in for Jeandre Labushagne who will feature off the bench later in the game.
With eight wins and 41 points from their 14 matches to date, the Cell C Sharks are firmly entrenched in the top 8 on the log, 11 ahead of the Lions who currently occupy the 12th spot.
For the Cell C Sharks, the last few rounds – and this game in particular – are about continuity and performance, and the results that come from that.
“Last week’s win over the Dragons was a really good platform for us to build on and now it’s about us building momentum,” explained Everitt.
The South African sides all have a game in hand over the top five sides on the log, so a win on Saturday for the Cell C Sharks will give their campaign a major boost.
“The log is really important at the moment and a win this week will be big for us because the other two local franchises are also playing each other and we’re fighting in the SA Shield competition,”.
Cell C Sharks: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Thomas du Toit (c), 4. Gerbrandt Grobler, 5. Reniel Hugo, 6. Siya Kolisi (v/c), 7. Henco Venter, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 10. Curwin Bosch, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Marius Louw 13. Ben Tapuai, 14. Werner Kok, 15. Anthony Volmink. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Jeandre Labushagne, 21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Boeta Chamberlain.