The Currie Cup Premier Division reaches the halfway stage this weekend. As the seventh round of the Premier Division looms, nothing but points’ difference separates the Airlink Pumas and Toyota Cheetahs at the top of the standings.
The Toyota Cheetahs will aim to build on their recent bonus-point win against DHL Western Province when they host the Cell C Sharks at 14:30 (SA Time) in Bloemfontein. Hawies Fourie’s charges have averaged 37 points and five tries a match this season.
The men from Durban will be looking to bounce back after their narrow defeat to the Vodacom Bulls. They currently sit in third place on the log, but may slip down the standings with another defeat.
The Toyota Cheetahs named their team with a couple of changes. In the front row, Rynier Bernardo and Mzwanele Zito switch places with Bernardo in the starting line-up. Jeandré Rudolph will wear the number 8 jersey. Siya Masuku is back on flyhalf, and Reinhardt Fortuin moves to centre next to Robert Ebersohn. Tapiwa Mafura is the fullback.
“The Sharks played very well against the Pumas, and at one stage, they managed to keep them out with 13 men. We know it will be difficult, but we have our own way of thinking.” Said Coach Hawies Fourie. “The focus will be to step up from last week against Province.” Said Coach Hawies Fourie.
Cell C Sharks Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo has made a number of changes to his side in this final game of the first round, mostly rotational to give those with plenty of game time an opportunity to freshen up – but still play a role – and delivering game time to those who will welcome the chance to shine.
He has rotated his front row, Khwezi Mona Fez Mbatha and Khutha Mchunu swapping jerseys with Dian Bleuler, Dan Jooste and Hanro Jacobs respectively.
Ockie Barnard shifts to lock to replace Reniel Hugo, with the captaincy taken over by James Venter and his namesake Henco returning to the side, playing at eighthman.
Amongst the backs, Lionel Cronje starts for Fred Zeilinga at flyhalf while Marnus Potgieter comes onto the wing and Yaw Penxe takes over from Phikolomzi Sobahle who, like Murray Koster, gets a breather this week, playing off the bench. Alwayno Visagie comes in for Koster at centre in the final change to the starting XV.
“The team was gutted after that loss against the Bulls, especially so in fighting their way back to within a try of winning the game after being 19-3 down at half-time,” Mongalo explains.
“It was difficult to process after they worked so hard, but some soft moments against the Bulls let them in and we had to work really hard for our points which is discouraging. But to come back from 19-3 and potentially win the game was very encouraging.
“We need to find a way of life where we can win games like that, rather than come close, and there’s no greater opportunity than against Free State away.”
Free State have a very good record and the history of games between these two sides has always been filled with drama.
“I told the guys this week that playing Free State is the test match of the Currie Cup. They have everything: a good set-piece, an incredible kicking game and they attack well.
“It’s definitely a challenge we’re looking forward to, against a team that is, by far, favourites for this game and we go there with the continued aim of presenting The Sharks brand well.”
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Sibabalo Qomo, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Arnanos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 David Brits, 23 Cohen Jasper.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Joshua Jonas, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Henco Venter, 7 James Venter (captain), 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Ockie Barnard, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Murray Koster, 23 Phikolomzi Sobahle.
