The Cell C Sharks will look to returning Springbok, fullback Aphelele Fassi, to bring his special form of magic on Saturday when the team hosts Leinster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in a massive Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash.
Leinster comes to Durban full of confidence from their successful campaign in the URC, but missing a number of internationals, while the Cell C Sharks have named an almost unchanged line-up from the one that scored a five-pointer against the Emirates Lions in their last outing.
With Leinster’s focus alternating between the URC and the Champions Cup, player welfare plays a big role and to this end, they have only brought six players to South Africa with them from last week’s match 23 against Connacht.
They still have numerous experienced internationals on their two-match tour and will, as their log position confirms, present an enormous challenge to a Cell C Sharks side itself riding a wave of confidence.
Aphelele Fassi makes a welcome return to the side after an injury lay-off that saw him miss a number of games and his speed, agility and x-factor will no doubt test the Irish visitors and tournament log leaders.
The only other change to the matchday 23 is rotational, where Le Roux Roets partners Gerbrandt Grobler in the second row with Reniel Hugo moving to the bench.
With the theme of Sharksfest coupled with the recent devastation foremost in the Cell C Sharks’ mind, this match is all about putting smiles on the faces of the fans and what better way to do it than to produce a performance filled with character, determination and pride.
Cell C Sharks: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Thomas du Toit (c), 4. Le Roux Roets, 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 6. Siya Kolisi, 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. Aphelele Fassi. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Jeandre Labuschagne, 21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Boeta Chamberlain.