The sixth round of the Premier Division will commence with the Cell C Sharks hosting the Vodacom Bulls at 15:30 (SA Time) on Friday in Durban.
The hosts come into this match on the back of a 19-12 win against the defending champions, the Airlink Pumas, while the Vodacom Bulls claimed their first win of the campaign last week, when they beat Windhoek Draught Griquas 40-3.
This clash, a rerun of the Currie Cup Finals of 2020 and 2021, will be particularly important, with both the Cell C Sharks and the Vodacom Bulls looking to build on their recent wins with the halfway mark of the competition looming.
The Cell C Sharks are in fourth place, with 14 log points on the Premier Division log, and may view this game as an opportunity to add to their points tally while the Vodacom Bulls are in seventh place with 8 log points.
The Vodacom Bulls certainly made a statement when they scored six tries in the big win against Windhoek Draught Griquas last week. The result marked their first win of the 2023 tournament, and brought an end to the franchise’s 10-game losing streak.
They will be determined to deliver a repeat of that performance in Durban this Friday, although they will be without a number of Springboks, who have rejoined their Vodacom United Rugby Championship squad ahead of the must-win match against Zebre Parma.
Last week’s defeat of the Airlink Pumas was a huge statement of intent and the Cell C Sharks will be hoping to produce another performance that brings back-to-back victories.
“We’re very proud of the group for the composure, character and fight they showed against the Pumas, especially when we were down to 13 men,” Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo said in the build-up to the big derby.
“That’s a good sign of a group that’s growing the cohesion and connection we’ve spoken about.”
After suffering successive losses in the opening stages of their campaign, the Bulls struck back last week, defeating Griquas in their first victory of the tournament and they will bring the confidence they gained down to Durban on Friday.
“The Currie Cup doesn’t get any easier, the Bulls come off a very good win, no-one is going to do you any favours, it’s not going to be easy and we’re expecting a tough encounter.
“In the same breath, we’ve done really well at home and we want to keep performing in a way that the fans who come out to support us will be proud of us and see a Sharks brand where guys are willing to fight for the jersey; that’s a really, really big thing for us and something we pride ourselves in.
“We want our fans to see a team that’s desperate to fight, desperate to represent this proud union.
“What we’re looking for is a repeat performance and to build some momentum so we can get a couple of wins in a row which will be massive for the belief and confidence in this group.
“There’s no greater opportunity than facing the Bulls at home and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Mongalo has shown his faith in Reniel Hugo who continues to lead the team for this clash with Murray Koster named as his deputy.
Nizaam Carr will lead the Vodacom Bulls and will have Simphiwe Matanzima (loose-head), Jan Hendrik Wessels (hooker) and Sebastian Lombard (tight-head) in his front row. Janko Swanepoel will pair up with Jacques Du Plessis at lock, whilst Carr, will lace up in the back row with Cameron Hanekom (blindside) and Reinhardt Ludwig (openside) starting at flank respectively.
Zak Burger and Morne Steyn will form part of the half-back combination.
Quick feet, Wandisile Simelane will start on the left wing with Sibongile Novuka on the right as Chris Barend Smit and Lionel Mapoe combine at the centre. 21-year-old Franco Knoetze starts at full-back.
Jacques van Rooyen, Tiaan Lange, Robert Hunt, Phumzile Maqondwana, WJ Steenkamp, Bernard van der Linde, Cornal Hendricks and Kabelo Mokoena will all get the opportunity to run on from the bench.
Teams
Cell C Sharks: 15. Nevaldo Fleurs, 14. Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13. Josh Jonas, 12. Murray Koster, 11. Yaw Penxe, 10. Fred Zeilinga, 9. Bradley Davids, 8. James Venter, 7. Ockie Barnard, 6. Tinotenda Mavesere, 5. Reniel Hugo (c), 4. Corne Rahl, 3. Hanro Jacobs, 2. Dan Jooste, 1. Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Khwezi Mona, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Athi Khethani, 20. Mpilo Gumede, 21. Tiaan Fourie, 22. Lionel Cronje, 23. Zee Mkhabela.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Franco Knoetze, 14. Sibongile Novuka, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 11. Wandisile Simelane, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Izak Burger, 8. Nizaam Carr (c), 7. Reinhardt Ludwig, 6. Cameron Hanekom, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Jacques Du Plessis, 3. Sebastian Lombard, 2. Jan Hendrik Wessels, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Jacques van Rooyen, 17. Tiaan Lange, 18. Robert Hunt, 19. Phumzile Maqondwana, 20. WJ Steenkamp, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Cornal Hendricks, 23. Kabelo Mokoena.