Vodacom United Rugby Championship action resumes this weekend with the Cell C Sharks hosting the Emirates Lions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday at 17h00.
After two weeks of successful Heineken Champions Cup rugby and a run of three straight victories across two competitions, the Cell C Sharks have derby rugby to contend with as they look to build on their recent successes.
Their visitors fro Johannesburg also are on an impressive streak of four unbeaten matches. Their first EPCR Challenge Cup's match against the Dragons RFC however did end in a 31-31 draw.
The battle will be won up front and the Emirates Lions has shown that they do not easily get bullied in that department. Therefore if the Emirates Lions can dominate up front their brilliant loosies should ensure enough turnover ball to attack from.
Prediction: Cell C Sharks by 8.
It’s been a demanding month for the Cell C Sharks and the time has come for balancing the management of player welfare with the need to continue their good form.
To this end, Director of Rugby Neil Powell has made several changes to the side that defeated Bordeaux Begles last week as he looks to both keep the players fresh as well as broadening the squad’s match fitness.
Thomas du Toit shifts over to the loosehead side of the front row with Dan Jooste replacing Bongi Mbonambi at hooker and Carlu Sadie named at tighthead.
Vincent Tshituka has shifted from flank to the lock position he occupied against Ospreys, replacing Eben Etzebeth and now partnering Hyron Andrews in the second row.
Siya Kolisi and Sikhumbuzo Notshe swap jerseys with Jeandre Labuschagne back in side and completing the loose forward trio is captain and eighthman Phepsi Buthelezi.
Amongst the backline changes, Grant Williams is given a starting opportunity at scrumhalf with Jaden Hendrikse playing off the bench, while there is a new midfield pairing of Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lukhanyo Am, in for Ben Tapuai and Francois Venter respectively.
Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell said “It is obviously going to be a physical battle, looking at the forwards the Lions selected."
Powell said that Cell C Sharks will play 11 consecutive games and are only at the fifth game and stressed the iportance to manage their squad to get through these 11 weeks.
Emirates Lions head coach, Ivan van Rooyen announced his squad with four changes made to the team that beat Stade Francais Paris a week ago.
Up front, three changes were made. At hooker, Jaco Visagie is replaced by PJ Botha while Pieter Jansen van Vuren makes way for Reinhard Nothnagel to return at lock and captain. Darrien Landsberg replaces Jaco Kriel in a loose combination that is also showing two positional changes. Ruan Venter replaces Emmanuel Tshituka at number 8 with Tshituka moving to 6.
At the back, Rynhardt Jonker replaces the injured Henco van Wyk in the only change made.
The changes up front is merely positional changes while the injury to Henco van Wyk is the only change, forced by injury.
Emirates Lions forwards coach Albert van der Berg said that you don’t often get the opportunity to play against some many Springboks and that is where you measure yourself.
“We know what they are going to bring, they have a good overall kicking game, an exciting backline and a decent pack of forwards. It will be important for us to start well, stay in the fight as long as possible and hopefully get the win.” van der Berg said.
Teams
Cell C Sharks: 15. Boeta Chamberlain, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Grant Williams, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7. Jeandre Labuschagne, 6. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Vincent Tshituka, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Dan Jooste, 1. Thomas du Toit. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Gerbrandt Grobler, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22. Lionel Cronje, 23. Ben Tapuai.
Eirates Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Edwill van der Merwe, 13. Rynhardt Jonker, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Quan Horn, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Ruan Venter, 7. Darrien Landsberg, 6. Emmanuel Tshituka, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4. Willem Alberts, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2. Pieter Botha, 1. JP Smith. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Sithembiso Sithole, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20. Jaco Kriel, 21. Andre Warner, 22. Gianni Lombard, 23. Stean Pienaar.
