The clash between the Cell C Sharks and Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday at 18:15 (SA Time) is expected to be a thriller as the stakes for both teams will be high.
Depending on the outcomes of the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls games, the Cell C Sharks may enter the clash looking to seal their quarter-final spot or possibly improve their log position from eighth place for an easier quarter-final, while Munster will be determined to go big as they can still move into the top-four on the log.
With the KwaZulu-Natalians boasting a superior attack with 16 more points scored this season, and the team having registered only one less victory than Munster, the clash could prove to be a humdinger.
The Cell C Sharks, however, will be wary of the threat the visitors pose especially after they created one of the biggest upsets last week by defeating the DHL Stormers on their home patch.
For the Cell C Sharks, the big focus is on a huge performance that brings the win so vital for a place in the knock-outs.
The continuity in team selection remains, with just one change to the starting line-up, Jeandre Labuschagne replacing Hyron Andrews in the second row. There is good news on the injury front.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg who left the field against Toulouse in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final has been passed fit and he comes onto the bench after missing last week’s game against Benetton.
The Cell C Sharks come into this clash following a 50-35 Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 victory over the self-same Munster team three weeks ago, also at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
But they know it won’t be the same this time around. “I don’t think it’s going to be the same team that rocks up here, especially after the way we played them last time,” explains Cell C Sharks prop Thomas du Toit.
“They will be much better prepared, they would have had some hard, tough conversations in their camp after that game.
“So no, they won’t be that same side, they played unbelievably well against the Stormers and we will see more of that.
“So this is a different ball game, we’re not expecting 50 points – although if it comes, we’ll definitely take it – but we expect a really tough game.”
It’s going down to the wire in this final weekend of pool action with the fight for places at a premium.
“We want to end in the top seven at least and as high as we possibly can, we’re not looking at the other games and who is winning or losing, our focus on is ourselves.
“Our focus is on a win, first and foremost, and then hopefully a bonus point.”
The Munster side has been named with Keith Earls included among the replacements and is in line to become the 14th player to reach the 200-cap landmark for the province.
There is one change to the side that beat Stormers last week as Fineen Wycherley replaces RG Snyman.
Greencore Munster Rugby Academy lock Edwin Edogbo comes into the squad as the replacement and is in line for his first appearance since November after recently returning from injury.
The backline is unchanged with Mike Haley at full-back as in-form wingers Calvin Nash and Shane Daly keep their places on either flank.
Malakai Fekitoa and Antoine Frisch start in the centres with a half-back pairing of Conor Murray and Jack Crowley.
Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron and Stephen Archer pack down in the front row with Archer starting on his 260th Munster appearance.
Jean Kleyn makes his 16th consecutive start in the second row alongside Wycherley.
Captain Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes complete the side.
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 Siyamthanda Kolisi (c), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Jeandre Labuschagne, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nché. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Aphelele Fassi.
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Jeremy Loughman. Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Keynan Knox, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Keith Earls.