The South African sides will be desperate to turn the corner in the third round of the United Rugby Championship. The first two rounds have been steep learning curves for the local teams and things won’t get any easier this weekend. The Sharks are up first when they face their first Welsh opponents, Ospreys at Liberty Stadium on Friday @ 20h35.
The Cell C Sharks will be determined to turn their luck around, however, they will face another stern test in the Ospreys. The Cell C Sharks have been disappointing to date. Although the second half against Glasgow was positive they must look to build on it, however, they will have to rediscover their discipline and direction.
Cell C Sharks growing pains are looking set to continue against the Ospreys, who’ve fed off mistakes to get off to a perfect start, defeating the Dragons (27-23) away and defeating Cardiff (18-14) at home last Saturday.
Alun Wyn Jones returns to the Ospreys starting line-up for the first time this season lining up alongside fellow British and Irish Lion Adam Beard in the second row.
An unchanged front row of Nicky Smith, Sam Parry and Tomas Francis go again with Will Griffiths, Jac Morgan and Morgan Morris packing down to complete the scrum.
Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Webb pair up as the half-backs with Webb as Captain once again. Dan Evans returns to the backline with Luke Morgan and Mat Protheroe lining up on the wings. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler comes into the starting line-up to partner Owen Watkin to replace Michael Collins.
Elvis Taione, Gareth Thomas and Tom Botha provide the front-row cover, with Rhys Davies and Ethan Roots completing the forward contingent off the bench. Reuben Morgan-Williams, Stephen Myler and Joe Hawkins complete the matchday 23.
Toby Booth, Ospreys Head coach, said: “Having seen the Sharks selection, we know they are big and there are four second rows in that starting line-up. There was a lot of forward orientated stuff in our performance against Cardiff, and that has clearly been thought of.
“We know they are going to be physical and will have a good kicking game. It will be a different challenge and an exciting one because we are playing someone new.”
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has made several changes to this week’s side, bringing in Ntuthuko Mchunu for Khwezi Mona and Kerron van Vuuren for Fez Mbatha (injured) who has not recovered from a knock that he took against Glasgow.
Thomas du Toit is retained at tighthead prop and also handed the captaincy role in the absence of Phepsi Buthelezi, who plays off the bench this week.
Hyron Andrews and Ruben van Heerden make a return as the lock partnership, with Le Roux Roets getting a break, while James Venter comes in for Dylan Richardson with Henco Venter named at eighthman.
In the midfield, Marius Louw and Jeremy Ward will partner up in place of Murray Koster and Werner Kok while Marnus Potgieter replaces Yaw Penxe and Anthony Volmink will start at fullback in place of Curwin Bosch.
Potgieter, Volmink and Dan Jooste (on the bench) will be making their URC debuts in this match.
Cell C Sharks Head Coach, Sean Everitt said: “There were many positives to take away from the match against Glasgow. Even though we are missing 14 of our key players, our youngsters against an experienced Glasgow team, put their hands up in the second half. We are looking for a complete performance from the players. The team has worked hard this week and have been relentless in our preparation for the match against Ospreys.”
Ospreys: 15. Dan Evans, 14. Mat Protheroe, 13. Tiaan Thomas Wheeler, 12. Owen Watkin, 11. Luke Morgan, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Rhys Webb (c), 8. Morgan Morris, 7. Jac Morgan, 6. Will Griffiths, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 4. Adam Beard, 3. Tomas Francis, 2. Sam Parry, 1. Nicky Smith. Replacements: 16. Elvis Taione, 17. Gareth Thomas, 18. Tom Botha, 19. Rhys Davies, 20. Ethan Roots, 21. Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22. Stephen Myler, 23. Joe Hawkins.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Anthony Volmink, 14. Marnus Potgieter, 13. Jeremy Ward, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Henco Venter, 7. Gerbrandt Grobler, 6. James Venter, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Thomas du Toit (c), 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Khwezi Mona, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Phepsi Buthelezi, 21. Dylan Richardson, 22. Sanele Nohamba, 23. Werner Kok.
