The Cell C Sharks travel to Johannesburg to face the Emirates Lions on Saturday at 15:00 (SA TIme), can still move up on the log, but they are in eighth place at the moment, and any dropped points could end up costly.
The Emirates Lions, placed 13th with six games to go, will also know that any points will be very valuable as they look to finish in the playoffs this year.
On paper, the Cell C Sharks should be favourites to clinch the win, as they have won all three previous encounters with the Emirates Lions, including a five try to one victory by 37-10 in December. However, the hosts will have taken notice that the KwaZulu-Natalians have lost three of their last four league matches away from home.
On their part, the Cell C Sharks would have noticed their opponents’ defensive issues, with the Emirates Lions’ 49 tries conceded so far this season only topped by Zebre Parma’s 65, while the hosts are also on the wrong end of the table when it comes to tries scored (30).
Prediction: Cell C Sharks by 15.
The Emirates Lions made several changes to their lineup. The halfback combination of Morne van den Berg and Gianni Lombard will look to spearhead the Lions’ attack on a familiar surface, with speedster Rabz Maxwane on hand to finish opportunities on the wing. The winger returns to the right wing after missing out on his recent tour due to injury.
Elsewhere, Emmanuel Tshituka faces his brother Vincent, a former Lions man, now in the black and white of the Sharks, in what is poised to be an exciting battle for the Congolese brothers.
Ruan Delport has been named on the bench for a possible debut, with Springbok Ruan Dreyer providing cover amongst front row.
Emirates Lions Head Coach Ivan van Rooyen.
“The aim for us is to be more dynamic on attack as well as with our kicking game. If you look at the top teams in this competition, their point of difference is their attacking-kicking game as well as their defensive kicking game. It’s been a work on for us on tour because of the conditions and circumstances, but especially back here at home where we’ve worked hard on the aspects I’ve mentioned.”
“Being back home we feel we need to play differently whether it’s on attack or defence. The system is not just going to do for you; there are intricacies in there that require attention. In terms of energy and excitement, the guys have trained well and hard over the past two weeks and are raring to go at home after being away for six weeks. There’s a real excitement for this weekend.”
The Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has selected a six-two split on the bench, an acknowledgement of just how physical he expects this game to be and the confrontation he anticipates from the Lions, and to this end welcomes the return of Vincent Tshituka and Dylan Richardson from injury, the pair playing off the bench and no doubt will bring impetus and energy to the team when they’re given the opportunity to get stuck in.
In changes to the side that played the DHL Stormers in the last game, Dan Jooste replaces Kerron van Vuuren at hooker and Hyron Andrews makes way for Reniel Hugo at lock, in the only changes to the pack.
In the backline, Grant Williams returns to action, with Cameron Wright playing off the bench while Francois Venter takes over from Ben Tapuai who is the other backline player amongst the replacements.
The final change sees Werner Kok back from injury, replacing Marnus Potgieter on the wing.
The Cell C Sharks will feed off the confidence gained out of their first round derby match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in December last year, a 37-10, five try to one bonus point victory, but will also understand the need – as well as accept the challenge – to deliver a comprehensive performance that ticks all the boxes.
Teams:
Emirates Lions: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Rabs Maxwane, 13. Manuel Rass, 12. Marius Louw (c), 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Gianni Lombard, 9. Morne van den Berg, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 7. Ruan Venter, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Ruben Schoeman, 4. Willem Alberts, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2. PJ Botha, 1. JP Smith. Replacements: 16. Michael van Vuuren, 17. Morgan Naude, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Ruhan Delport, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Ruhan Straeuli, 22. Sanele Nohamba, 23. Rynhardt Jonker.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Francois Venter, 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Grant Williams, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7. Henco Venter, 6. James Venter, 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 4. Reniel Hugo, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Dan Jooste, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Vincent Tshituka, 20. Dylan Richardson, 21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22. Cameron Wright, 23. Ben Tapuai.
