The Cell C Sharks will kick off the weekend’s United Rugby Championship action against Benetton in Durban on Friday at 18:30 (SA Time).
The clash between the Cell C Sharks and Benetton is expected to be a thriller as they are only separated by one log point and are both fighting for a spot in the top eight.
Both sides have won eight of their 16 pool matches, but the KwaZulu-Natalians will draw inspiration from the fact that they have home-ground advantage and boast a better record on attack and defence this season than the visitors.
This match is important for a number of reasons, most obvious the need to simply win. Currently, in eighth position, the Cell C Sharks must fight off a late challenge from the Italians who are one place lower on the overall log and a point behind.
The Cell C Sharks team to take on Benetton is virtually unchanged from last week’s side. Sadly Rohan Janse van Rensburg had to be stretchered off in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final showdown with Toulouse last weekend and has not been cleared to play on Friday.
In his place comes Australian international Ben Tapuai, with Marnus Potgieter coming onto the bench in the only matchday 23 team list change.
With two rounds remaining, the Cell C Sharks host Munster next weekend, the team they defeated in the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 a fortnight ago – the race for final places in the top eight has reached fever pitch and the pressure is on everyone to finish as high up as possible, or indeed, make the top eight and entry into the knock-outs.
Benetton has had a mixed bag of results, losing to the Emirates Lions in their last match, but have beaten Ulster as well, losing the other three of their previous five games this year. They will come to Durban intent on causing an upset.
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15. Henry Chamberlain, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Ben Tapuai, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Grant Williams, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Siya Kolisi (c), 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 4. Hyron Andrews, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1. Retshegofaditswe Nché. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Carlü Sadie, 19. Jeandre Labuschagne, 20. Phendulani Buthelezi, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Marnus Potgieter, 23. Thaakir Abrahams.
Benetton: 15. Rhyno Smith, 14. Edoardo Padovani, 13. Ignacio Brex, 12. Joaquin Riera, 11. Marcus Watson, 10. Tomas Albornoz, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage (c), 8. Lorenzo Cannone, 7. Michele Lamaro, 6. Sebastian Negri, 5. Federico Ruzza, 4. Niccolò Cannone, 3. Tiziano Pasquali, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 1. Nahuel Tetaz. Replacements: 16. Siua Maile, 17. Thomas Gallo, 18. Filippo Alongi, 19. Riccardo Favretto, 20. Manuel Zuliani, 21. Alessandro Garbisi, 22. Jacob Umaga, 23. Marco Zanon.