The Cell C Sharks host table-topping Toyota Free State at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Wednesday in an important Carling Currie Cup clash with the tournament heading for the halfway stage.
The Free State Cheetahs are the final remaining team yet to taste defeat in the competition, having won all five of their matches to date, keeping them top of the log, albeit by only two points over the Vodacom Blue Bulls who leap-frogged the Cell C Sharks into second spot last week, with the Durban side now in third place, a further two points adrift.
Free State have a vastly experienced side, the presence of former Cell C Sharks and Springbok stalwarts Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn playing important roles in their team’s successes this season.
Unlike the Cell C Sharks whose squad are involved in the URC as well, playing just one tournament means the Bloemfontein-based team has the luxury of selecting the strongest side from their squad in this competition and their ambitions to win the Currie Cup are clear.
Cell C Sharks head coach Etienne Fynn has kept to the same pack that did duty against the Vodacom Blue Bulls last week, but has made three changes to the backline.
Following his quality efforts off the bench last week, Ethan Fisher replaces Murray Koster at inside centre with Jeremy Ward bringing in vast experience to the backline, replacing Marnus Potgieter at outside centre.
In the final change, Jordan Chait who was a late replacement for Tito Bonilla when the Argentinean flyhalf was forced out of the game due to food poisoning last week, comes in at fullback in place of Innocent Radebe, with Bonilla taking his position at 10.
Good news on the injury front sees Dylan Richardson returning to action, having been named on the bench for this match.
Cell C Sharks: 1. Dian Bleuler, 2. Fez Mbatha, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 4. Emile van Heerden, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. James Venter (c), 7. Thembelani Bholi, 8. Celimpilo Gumede, 9. Cameron Wright (v/c), 10. Tito Bonilla, 11. Curwin Gertse, 12. Ethan Fisher, 13. Jeremy Ward, 14. Yaw Penxe, 15. Jordan Chait. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Braam Reyneke, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Jeandre Labuschagne, 20. Dylan Richardson, 21. OJ Noa, 22. Sanele Nohamba, 23. Lloyd Koster.
