Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
The Cell C Sharks host the Tafel Lager Griquas in their opening game in Durban on Sunday 17h15 in the series of preparation matches. This match at Jonsson Kings Park opens the account for both sides in the 2021 Kick-Off Pools.
It will have been nearly a month since the Cell C Sharks were last in action, contesting the Carling Currie Cup final, and head coach Sean Everitt has free license to add to his squad depth by allowing all his players to get valuable game time ahead of the Rainbow Cup tournament.
Most of the matchday 23 are familiar faces, with welcome returns from injury for hooker Kerron van Vuuren and loose forward James Venter, while there are opportunities for youngsters like scrumhalf Grant Williams (who is highly regarded and has already had a taste of top-flight rugby) and centre Murray Koster who have all been handed starts in this game.
Stefan Ungerer (scrumhalf) will make his debut for the Tafel Lager Griquas. Ungerer takes over from Zak Burger, who has signed with the Vodacom Bulls, in a team that includes most of the Carling Currie Cup combatants from last season.
A fit-again George Whitehead will lead the side and takes over the Nr 10 jersey again, with Tinus de Beer playing off the bench. Whitehead missed most of last season due to injury.
Amongst the replacements, Jo-Hanko de Villiers (loose forward) will make his debut for the Kimberley side, having previously played for the Xerox Lions.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Murray Koster, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JJ vd Mescht, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuka Mchunu, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jordan Chait, 23 Thaakir Abrahams.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Siba Qoma, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Alandre van Rooyen, 1 Mox Mxoli. Replacements (from): 16 HJ Luus, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Tijde Visser, 19 Ewan Coetzee, 20 Jo-Hanko de Villiers, 21 Ashlon Davids, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Ederies Arendse, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Carl Els, 26 Berton Klaasen.