When the Cell C Sharks meet the Airlink Pumas in Friday night’s first leg Carling Currie Cup clash at Mbombela Stadium @ 7 pm, they will come up against a team that has been a thorn in the side of many an opponent in recent years.
Head coach of the Cell C Sharks Currie Cup team, Etienne Fynn, has had no hesitation in naming an extremely experienced side for this clash with the acknowledgement that the Pumas will throw everything at his charges.
Composure, accuracy and calmness under pressure will be vital components towards maintaining their unbeaten record in the competition. The inclusion of experienced players should produce that calming effect for the younger players and provide the platform for them to shine.
With the Vodacom United Rugby Championship running concurrently with the Currie Cup, when there is a break in the tournament, the opportunity arises for extra game time in the Currie Cup and Fynn has the good fortune of being able to include a number of these experienced players in his team, with an international here and there to further bolster the team’s stocks.
With three wins from three and 14 out of a maximum of 15 points, the Cell C Sharks are top of the table and will want to continue their rich vein of form, although they won’t have it easy against a team that aims high, particularly against the traditionally bigger unions.
The Pumas haven’t quite enjoyed the start they’d like to the competition, with just one win from their four matches to date but they have produced the biggest win in the tournament, a 50-9 victory over the Sigma Lions, a team who themselves are finding this year’s tournament difficult, as they prop up the log still chasing a first victory.
Winning is a habit and it’s a habit the team will want to continue – even improve upon – this weekend as they look to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack behind them.
Cell C Sharks: 1. Dian Bleuler, 2. Fez Mbatha, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 4. Le Roux Roets, 5. Reniel Hugo, 6. James Venter (c), 7. Thembelani Bholi, 8. Celimpilo Gumede, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 11. Marnus Potgieter, 12. Murray Koster, 13. Jeremy Ward (v/c), 14. Yaw Penxe, 15. Inny Radebe. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Khwezi Mona, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Corne Rahl, 20. OJ Noa, 21. Bradley Davids, 22. Jordan Chait, 23. Curwin Gertse