The four South African Vodacom United Rugby Championship franchises will battle it out for the second week in a row in a jam-packed round on Saturday where they will look to build momentum and force their way up the standings after the postponement of a few fixtures at the end of 2021.
The Cell C Sharks will look to build on their good start to the year when they host the DHL Stormers at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the second domestic match of the weekend.
The Cell C Sharks will look to build on their fine attack, which saw them cross the tryline six times last week against the Emirates Lions when they host the Capetonians, and with both sides coming off encouraging victories last week the match is bound to be a humdinger.
The hosts should be the favourites, however, DHL Stormers showed some true grit against the Vodacom Bulls last weekend, a will to win not seen previously from the boys from Cape Town.
The injury to star eight-man Evan Roos could rob the DHL Stormers from some serious go forward momentum which could be the deciding factor.
The Cell C Sharks team named shows just two changes to the side that defeated the Emirates Lions last week.
Being able to select an almost identical side regularly allows for great continuity from a team with high performance and success aspirations and the fact that the Vodacom United Rugby Championship is now firmly on track, means continuity in play and personnel feature prominently in the coaching set-up.
There have been just two changes announced by Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt who has the pleasure of bringing back the Springbok duo of Siya Kolisi and Bongi Mbonambi to the starting line-up. The rest of the match 23 remains unchanged.
The Springbok captain and hooker return to play against their former side, with Kolisi replacing James Venter on the side of the scrum and Mbonambi starting for Kerron van Vuuren at hooker.
This match is equally important for the result needed as the performance required. Last week’s victory was an important one away from home and Everitt will be looking for more of the same from his players.
To bring energy and intensity in the heat and humidity of Durban, and maintaining an exciting brand of rugby that thrills the fans and rewards the team.
“The positives from last week were the opportunities we created and I was happy with the quick attack and the way we were able to move the ball and the continuity we got from that; the offloads in the build-up to some of the tries was also really pleasing,” explained Everitt.
“And we also managed the game well at times and that was why we probably came out on top.”
There are two injury-enforced changes to the DHL Stormers forward pack. There are three changes in total to the starting line-up that did duty last week in Pretoria.
Lock Salmaan Moerat (knee) and No.8 Evan Roos (minor rib injury) have both been ruled out, with Adre Smith and Hacjivah Dayimani coming in to replace them in the starting line-up.
The only change to the backline sees Angelo Davids start on the right-wing.
Loose forwards Nama Xaba and Marcel Theunissen both come onto the replacements bench, having impressed for DHL Western Province in the Carling Currie Cup.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his team are looking forward to another challenging derby away from home.
“While it was disappointing to lose Salmaan and Evan this week, we are looking forward to seeing what all of the players coming in this week can add.
“Evan picked up a minor knock on his rib, so we are managing him conservatively, while also keen to see what Hacjivah can do at the back of the scrum.
“Angelo, Nama and Marcel have all performed well for DHL Western Province and will be looking to grab this opportunity,” he said.
Weather: 24° Celsius, partly cloudy with no rain expected and a moderated south/easterly wind
Prediction: Cell C Sharks by 5
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Henry Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi, 7 Jeandré Labuschagne, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Joaquin Bonilla, 23 Jeremy Ward.
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Nama Xaba, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Warrick Gelant.