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The Emirates Lions will host the Cell C Sharks on Saturday in Johannesburg. The Cell C Sharks must win this match as a loss would sink their hopes to qualify for the PRO 14 Rainbow Cup to be hosted at Treviso’s Stadio di Monigo, Italy on Saturday, 19 June 2021. The kick-off at Emirates Airline Park is set for 16h00.
An intriguing tussle awaits fans as the Cell C Sharks and Emirates Lions go head-to-head on Saturday in Joburg following their various fortunes in the competition of late.
The Durbanites are looking to avoid three consecutive defeats in the same season for the first time in four years. However, they have won just one of their last four away games, although they have only been beaten once in six meetings with the Lions.
The Emirates Lions snapped a four-game losing run when they edged the Vodacom Bulls in Round 4. They also have a decent home record, having lost just once since November, while the Cell C Sharks have won there just once since 2014.
The Emirates Lions will take the field with an unchanged starting team in their match against the Cell C Sharks in Johannesburg on Saturday, with the only change on the bench, where Dan Kriel comes in for Manny Rass.
The Lions will depend on the performance of their brilliant pack of forwards to provide the quality ball to their backline. Coach Ivan van Zyl said during a press conference that the first 20 minutes of the game will decide their game plan for the rest of the game.
Going into their third home game in this competition, the Lions will take inspiration from their last performance on home soil. A look at the stats from the tournament highlight two Lions players who have had sterling performances. EW Viljoen is second on the list with his 43 carries, just one behind the 44 of Damian Willemse, while MJ Pelser, together with Lukhanyo Am are the turn-over kings with their four each.
Cell C Sharks' head coach Sean Everitt has picked a much-changed side for Saturday’s match, naming an all-new front row with Ntuthuko Mchunu, Kerron van Vuuren and Wiehahn Herbst taking over from Ox Nche, Fez Mbatha and Thomas du Toit, all of whom will make an appearance later in the game off the bench.
In the second row, Hyron Andrews returns to the side in the place of Reniel Hugo while James Venter is a welcome inclusion after a long-term injury.
Phepsi Buthelezi will play at eighthman, with Thembelani Bholi named on the bench and Henco Venter taking over the captaincy from Lukhanyo Am and shifting back to flank.
Backline changes see Manie Libbok replacing Curwin Bosch at flyhalf, Makazole Mapimpi makes a welcome return with his first Cell C Sharks appearance in 2021, after returning from Japan, with Yaw Penxe taking over from the injured Sbu Nkosi on the other wing and Werner Kok replacing Lukhanyo Am at centre. The final change sees Anthony Volmink coming in for Aphelele Fassi at fullback.
Emirates Lions: 15. EW Viljoen, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. André Warner; 8. Len Massyn, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. MJ Pelser; 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. Ruan Dreyer, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Willem Alberts, 20. Emmanuel Tshituka, 21. Morné van den Berg, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Dan Kriel.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Anthony Volmink, 14. Yaw Penxe, 13. Werner Kok, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Henco Venter (C), 6. James Venter, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. JJ van der Mescht, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Ruben van Heerden, 20. Thembelani Bholi, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Jeremy Ward.