The Cell C Sharks see out the 2022 year with a New Year’s Eve derby against the Vodacom Bulls at Hollywoodbets Kings Park this afternoon at 16h45 (SA Time) in what should be a tense and exciting Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash.
Both teams have enjoyed a good run of form of late, although the Bulls came up short against the DHL Stormers in last weekend’s round of local derbies which saw them drop from second to the fourth spot on the URC log.
Still, that loss aside, the Bulls continue to offer a real test against every opponent they face, including the Cell C Sharks.
The Durban side is enjoying a rich vein of form, having won their last four games across the URC and the Heineken Champions Cup and will go into this game with plenty of momentum and confidence, knowing they have the team and the ability to deliver performances that produce the results.
The hosts are happy to play without the ball, having made the fewest carries in the URC, just 729. The Sharks have won their last two league matches, both in Durban.
The battle up front will be even more important as this could become the main source for match-winning penalties. However the Sprinbok-muscle should give the home team the edge needed.
Prediction: Cell C Sharks by 5
Following last week’s emphatic 37-10 victory over the Emirates Lions, the Cell C Sharks team named by Director of Rugby Neil Powell sees the return of some of the team’s big names.
Managing the heavy workload of his Springboks has been a delicate balancing act, but this week they are back in action, a testament to the threat posed by the visiting Bulls.
Changes from last week’s side see Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi back to partner Thomas du Toit in an all-Springbok front row, while Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi return to start the game, with Kolisi leading the side into battle.
Henco Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe complete the back row.
Marnus Potgieter is in for the injured Werner Kok, this being the only change to last week’s backline as Powell looks to maintain continuity amongst the backs.
Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell said they expect a “big, physical battle” against a desperate Bulls team, hoping to make amends for last week’s bitterly disappointing loss to the Stormers.
“We are aware that they have targeted these two games, Stormers last week and Sharks this week.
“However, it is a really good opportunity for us to build some momentum,” he said.
“We hope it will be dry and clear, so we can play the type of game we want to play.
The humidity is another factor that causes issues, making the ball very difficult to handle – with rain an aid in countering the ‘soapy residue’ left on the ball.
“It does get a bit muggy and something we are used to, training in those conditions,” Powell said.
“It is something we know and would like to use against the opposition.”
“It is important for us to manage the game well, in terms of where we play and where we don’t play.”
The Vodacom Bulls have added three new faces to the match-day 23 from a week ago as the Pretoria outfit prepares for a stern New Year’s Eve test in Durban.
Simphiwe ‘power-pack’ Matanzima will start at loose-head prop supported by Johan Grobbelaar and Mornay Smith in the front row whilst the second and back row remains the same as the one that did duty the week before.
At the back, Bernard van der Linde slots in at scrum-half with Embrose Papier moving to the impact squad, as Chris Smith starts at fly-half. Springbok duo, Johan Goosen and Kurt-Lee Arendse will run out at fullback and left wing respectively.
Springbok speedster, Canan Moodie will start at right wing with Harold Vorster and Cornal Hendricks pairing up at inside and outside centre respectively. Hooker, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and utility back, David Kriel complete the list of new faces in the match-day 23.
Vodacom Bulls' Jake White claimed the underdog tag and said “It is an away game and the record of away wins is between 20 and 30 percent, it has only been done once that a team has won every game in the season and that was Leinster a couple of years ago."
“Not even last year the powerhouse Leinster side could win every game.”
“There have been a lot of questions about rotating players, not taking your best team away. I don’t want top beat the same drum."
“It is a case of packaging it differently sometimes, in order to get the best out of your players come April, May and June.
“That is when you need to be at your best, and have all your players fit.”
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15. Boeta Chamberlain, 14. Marnus Potgieter, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Grant Williams, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Henco Venter, 6. Siya Kolisi (c), 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Ox Nché. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Phepsi Buthelezi, 21. Jaden Hendrikse, 22. Lionel Cronje, 23. Yaw Penxe.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Johan Goosen, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Bernard van der Linde, 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. Cyle Brink, 6. Marco Van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje (c), 4. Ruan Vermaak, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Janko Swanepoel, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Lionel Mapoe, 23. David Kriel.
