This weekend the Cell C Sharks will battle it out against the Vodacom Bulls in their second-round derby match at Jonsson Kings Park in a top of the table Carling Currie Cup clash between the sides one and two on the log.
It’s a shortened week of preparation for the Cell C Sharks ahead of their 7 pm kick-off this Friday evening, but a week of hard work as the Durban side look to restore their march on the competition after suffering a road bump last weekend.
Just eight points separate the top four sides – the Vodacom Blue Bulls, Cell C Sharks, Tafel Lager Griquas and New Nation Pumas – creating congestion on the log and plenty to play for in the second week of the second round.
Wins for any of these sides will aid their individual campaigns and put them clear of the chasing pack, consisting of DHL Western Province, the Sigma Lions and Toyota Cheetahs in fifth, sixth and seventh spots respectively.
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has made a number of changes for this match, bringing in Khutha Mchunu for Lourens Adriaanse at loosehead prop, and back-rowers Dylan Richardson for James Venter and Henco Venter replacing Mpilo Gumede.
There are two changes in the backline, Grant Williams returning in place of Sanele Nohamba who plays off the bench while Lionel Cronje comes in at flyhalf with Curwin Bosch shifting to fullback in place of Anthony Volmink who has been named amongst the reserves.
Cell C Sharks: 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 4. Le Roux Roets, 5. Reniel Hugo, 6. Dylan Richardson, 7. Henco Venter, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 9. Grant Williams, 10. Lionel Cronje, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 12. Murray Koster, 13. Werner Kok, 14. Yaw Penxe, 15. Curwin Bosch. Replacements: 16. Khwezi Mona, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Thembelani Bholi, 19. Mpilo Gumede, 20. James Venter, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Jeremy Ward, 23. Anthony Volmink.