The Cell C Sharks will be chasing a hat-trick of Vodacom Super Rugby wins for 2020 this weekend, have made just one change to their starting line-up for their Saturday morning clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday's at the Sky Stadium at 08h05 (SA time).
Former Junior Springbok flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain comes in at flyhalf in place of Springbok Curwin Bosch, who has returned to South Africa because of a family bereavement. The 20-year-old Chamberlain showed some deft touches in his Vodacom Super Hero Sunday cameo against the DHL Stormers a few weeks ago and is set to make his full debut.
The rest of the starting line-up that beat the Highlanders so convincingly in Dunedin last week stays the same.
The Cell C Sharks have not beaten the Hurricanes in New Zealand since 2010 and will be looking to avert a fifth consecutive away defeat against the team from Wellington.
Meanwhile, All Blacks hooker Dane Coles has been named in the Hurricanes match-day 23. Coles, who returns from injury, will be on the bench while the starting line-up remains relatively unchanged from the one that beat the Jaguares in Buenos Aires last weekend.
Sean Everitt, the Cell C Sharks head coachsaid: “Preparations for the game on Saturday have gone well and the guys are enjoying Wellington,” said Everitt from the team’s base in New Zealand. Given the favourable conditions, the coach admitted that more of the same can be expected of this exciting side.We’re hoping for more of the same from last week – if the weather allows it. It looks like it’s going to remain the same which is good, and we can then look to unleash our backs again.”
Head coach, Jason Holland, says “We have an excellent squad. Whoever gets their opportunity this week needs to take it as there are a lot of boys lining up to get a crack.” The Sharks have scored more tries against the Hurricanes than any other South African side. In a match up last year, the Hurricanes walked away with a 30 – 17 win – but Holland says it’s always a tough encounter.
“The Sharks are a physical side with a big kicking game – not too dissimilar from the style the Springboks adopted to win the World Cup. They’ve got a back three who will take opportunities we give them.”
The teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Gareth Evans, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Fraser Armstrong. Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Liam Mitchell, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Billy Proctor.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Phepsi Buthelezi, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Jeremy Ward.