The Cell C Sharks travel to Pretoria this week for Saturday afternoon’s return leg Currie Cup clash with the Vodacom Blue Bulls in a game that comes at an important juncture in the season.
Last week’s 24-6 success over Windhoek Draught Griquas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park made it consecutive victories for the Cell C Sharks and Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo admitted that there were conflicting emotions around a game where the performance wasn’t quite up to standard, but still produced a pleasing result.
“We hadn’t had back-to-back victories before this, so we’re very thankful for that,” Mongalo said.
“But the guys acknowledged that we didn’t play to our standards – and we set quite high standards for ourselves – I almost didn’t recognise us in the first half because it was loose and that’s not us. So it was a bit frustrating because we are more structured, but there is character being shown in this group, and even though we didn’t play well, the scoreboard was still in our favour which means we’re doing something right.”
Having conceded only two penalties and keeping their tryline intact, the Cell C Sharks showed remarkable resilience and it is this kind of defence that the coach will be looking for again.
“Griquas are quite an attacking threat, they scored six tries against us in the first round, and we made that personal. Defence is about guys fighting and feeling for each other, who want to achieve something and I must compliment them for fighting for each other and for the cause.”
Having lost narrowly to the Bulls in their first-round meeting, there will certainly be plenty of motivation for this Cell C Sharks side looking to maintain their run in the competition.
The Cell C Sharks team shows XX changes for this week’s outing, Dan Jooste getting a start at hooker, the only player movement amongst the pack, while Tiaan Fourie comes in for Bradley Davids at scrumhalf, Murray Koster takes over from Joshua Jonas at outside centre and Marnus Potgieter’s call-up to the URC team opens the door for the return of Phikolomzi Sobahle on the wing.
Cell C Sharks: 1. Khwezi Mona, 2. Dan Jooste, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 4. Ockie Barnard, 5. Reniel Hugo (c), 6. Tinotenda Mavesere, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 8. Henco Venter, 9. Tiaan Fourie, 10. Lionel Cronje, 11. Yaw Penxe, 12. Alwayno Visagie, 13. Murray Koster, 14. Phikolomzi Sobahle, 15. Thaakir Abrahams. Replacements: 16. Dameon Venter, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Marco de Witt, 20. Damon Royle, 21. Mpilo Gumede, 22. Zee Mkhabela, 23. Fred Zeilinga.
