Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
Last weekend the Phakisa Pumas came very close to an upset against the DHL Stormers in Nelspruit, and on today Jimmy Stonehouse and his team are involved in another big home fixture when they face the visiting Cell C Sharks. Kick-off in the Mbombela Stadium is at 16h30.
This afternoon’s Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked clash between the Cell C Sharks and Phakisa Pumas has taken on an important perspective for both teams with a lot of hunger from all the players.
Although the Pumas might be considered a smaller union in South African rugby, there is every reason to respect their tenacity and ambition in the Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked competition and there will be no danger of complacency from a Cell C Sharks side looking to strike back.
Their performance against the Stormers last weekend showed just how dangerous a side they are after pulling into a 30-14 half-time lead, but eventually going down 42-37.
Phakisa Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse made just two changes to his starting 15 for their round four home clash against the Cell C Sharks in Nelspruit on Saturday afternoon.
Stonehouse kept his side that tested the DHL Stormers to the limit last week at the Mbombela Stadium largely intact, making only one change in the front row and another at flyhalf.
Front ranker Liam Hendricks comes into the side as a rotational switch with Morgan Naude, while Fiela Boshoff earned the nod at flyhalf in place of Eddie Fouche.
Meanwhile, Cell C Sharks head coach, Sean Everitt, has had to make a few changes due to injury, while also using rotation to keep the squad both fresh but also battle-hardened.
Springbok prop Thomas du Toit is out because of injury and he’s replaced by John-Hubert Meyer.
The loose-forward trio has been rejigged; with James Venter having injured his ankle against the Vodacom Bulls, he is replaced by Dylan Richardson while Sikhumbuzo Notshe is out with a hamstring strain although it is hoped he will be available next week.
Madosh Tambwe (wing) will also get his first run in the competition in place of Werner Kok.
“We weren’t happy with our set-piece, but fortunately it is something we can fix and we’ve worked hard to rectify that. We’re looking forward to redeeming ourselves this weekend,” Everitt explained.”
Phakisa Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Neil Maritz, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Wayne van der Bank, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Fiela Boshoff, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 4 Darrien Landsburg, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 AJ le Roux, 1 Liam Hendricks. Replacements (from): Marko Janse van Rensburg, Stepan de Jager, Brendon Valentyn, Phumzile Maqondwana, Chriswill Willemse, Neil Marais, 22 Ali Mgijima, Dewald Maritz, Daniel Maartens, HP van Schoor, Kwanda Dimaza.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Yaw Penxe.