Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
The Cell C Sharks will host the Vodacom Bulls in Durban @ 19h00 in the last round of the Preparation Series tomorrow evening.
The Sharks come off a 40-43 loss against the Lions Saturday. With a penalty by the Lions fullback Swanepoel in the dying seconds of the game the Lions the win. The game could have gone either way. However, the introduction of the Sharks bench had the Lions defending for their lives.
A mishap by DHL Stormers No 8 Juarno Augustus, who lost the ball as he crossed the line in the dying seconds cost his team the opportunity to draw level with a possible match-winning conversion in the pipeline against the Bulls. The Bulls walked off with a 34-29 win with many supporters convinced that the Stormers were unlucky not to win.
With rain expected in Durban tomorrow, a close forward battle is expected during the early part of the match. The Sharks bench again looks to be the more exciting and dangerous of the two sides and could prove to be the difference between winning and losing. However, the Bulls know how to win, it has become a habit.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will make his Cell C Sharks debut.
Kolisi is one of a number of players who were part of the conditioning group that will progress to match action on Friday evening.
Other returnees are Springbok props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit, while Ruben van Heerden will partner his namesake Emile van Heerden in the second row, and Henco Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe complete the back row.
In the backline, former Junior Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse will partner Boeta Chamberlain (flyhalf), with Marius Louw back at inside centre, while Sbu Nkosi is on the wing and Anthony Volmink at fullback.
Given the fact that the Cell C Sharks’ goals in this series of preparation matches were more about creating finesse around their style of play, game plan and developing depth, than the results, Yaw Penxe believes the team has really benefited.
“We did achieve what we wanted to in fine-tuning our processes, and in our losses, it was discipline here or there or just minor errors,” said the strong-running wing.
“Going into this final game, we’re looking to put everything into place and hopefully put in a really proper performance.”
Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White continued to back his rotation policy for their final 2021 Kick-off Pools clash, against the Cell C Sharks.
Springbok No 8 Nizaam Carr continues to wear the captain's armband and will lead a forward pack showing significant changes for the match that will be broadcast live on SuperSport at 19h00. Marius van der Westhuizen is the referee.
Blitzbok Tim Agaba comes into the starting line-up at blindside flank, with Werner Gouws shifting to openside, while Janko Swanepoel has been drafted in at lock.
The pack also features a new front row with Springboks Marcel van der Merwe and Lizo Gqoboka starting alongside former Junior Springbok hooker Schalk Erasmus.
In the backline, Richard Kriel (fullback), Madosh Tambwe (wing) and Zak Burger (scrumhalf) retain their spots from last week’s thrilling win against the DHL Stormers, but a new centre partnership of Marnus Potgieter and Dawid Kellerman will front up against the Durbanites, with the impressive Diego Appollis starting on the left-wing.
Veteran Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn, meanwhile, will provide valuable experience in what is a youthful backline.
The bench has also had a new look to it, with Jacques van Rooyen (prop), Raynard Roets (lock), Reinhardt Ludwig (loose forward), Clinton Swart, Jay-Cee Nel (utility backs) and Keagan Johannes (scrumhalf) all being called on to provide cover.
“We have our last warm-up this week and we could not ask for better opposition in the Cell C Sharks,” said White.
“It’s our first meeting since our Carling Currie Cup final battle and they’ll want to get one over the champions.
“The Sharks have a strong squad which ultimately provides the foundation for another tough encounter, but the gents are more than ready to throw their bodies on the line to secure a victory.”
Cell C Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Aphelele Fassi.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Richard Kriel, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Dawid Kellerman, 11 Diego Appollis, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Nizaam Carr (captain), 7 Tim Agaba, 6 Werner Gouws, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Jan Uys, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Schalk Erasmus, 1 Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements (from): 16 Janco Uys, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Jay-Cee Nel, 24 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 25 Reinhardt Ludwig, 26 Bernard van der Linde, 27 Niel Beukes.
