Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
Festive season Carling Currie Cup rugby action continues today with the staging of the Round Five match in Bloemfontein between the Toyota Cheetahs and Cells C Sharks at 16:30.
A win is not negotiable for both teams as the semi-finals are looming with five teams still in the running. The Vodacom Bulls leads the current standings on 35 points from seven wins and just two losses in their 10 outings so far. They are followed by Western Province on 41 points, the Xerox Lions on 29 points, the Cell C Sharks (28), Toyota Cheetahs (21), Phakisa Pumas (12) and the winless Tafel Lager Griquas (7).
The return of try-scoring winger, Rosko Specman, and the inclusion of Reinhardt Fortuin at flyhalf are two of the most significant changes to the Toyota Cheetahs side that will take on the Cell C Sharks on Sunday.
Specman comes in for Duncan Saal, while in an injury-enforced move, Oupa Mohoje starts at flank in place of Aidon Davids who picked up a calf injury against the Phakisa Pumas in the Mbombela Stadium.
“Rosko brings a lot of energy to the team and gives great input,” coach Hawies Fourie said. “He is a key player in our set-up and can bring those moments of magic.”
The Cheetahs coach said the predictions of a warm, dry day will allow them to play the type of game they enjoy – take an expansive approach.
“The Sharks have had a good season so far and that win against the Bulls a fortnight ago was a great performance,” Fourie said.
“They struggled in the scrums [against the Lions] last week, but they would have worked on that.
“However, our focus this week has been on what we can improve in our game,” the coach said.
Head coach Sean Everitt has made four changes to his side, handing John Hubert-Meyer a start at tighthead and welcoming back Ruben van Heerden in the second row. Amongst the backs, there are also two changes, scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse earning his first start for the Cell C Sharks with Jeremy Ward coming in for Marius Louw at centre.
There is a welcome return from injury for Aphelele Fassi who has been named on the bench.
“We were disappointed with the performance against the Lions, but we’ll put it down to a bad day at the office and the guys are really motivated to rectify it this weekend,” explained Everitt.
“The guys still showed a lot of effort, but the truth is that we weren’t able to fire a shot and never really got out of first gear. But funny enough, with 15 minutes to go, we had an opportunity to pull a win out the bag, but generally the performance didn’t deserve a win.”
After a performance that doesn’t quite tick all the boxes, the following match is an opportunity to rectify the mistakes and make big improvements.
Everitt admitted that the Cell C Sharks’ focus will be more on themselves than the opposition for Sunday’s match.
“There were a lot of things we didn’t get right against the Lions and those were things that determine outcomes in games and we need to focus on that rather than the opposition.
“We know what’s coming from the Cheetahs, they need to win their last three matches for them to be in contention come knockout time, so we’re under no illusions as to what they will bring.
“It’s a challenge for us but the players are certainly up for it.”
The teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner (captain), 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Rhyno Smith.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Aston Fortuin, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 John Hubert-Meyer, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Werner Kok, 23 Aphelele Fassi.