Buthelezi back to lead Sharks against Lions
The Cell C Sharks side to take on the British and Irish
Lions on Wednesday will be led by the returning Phepsi Buthelezi who has
recovered from a concussion suffered in the Carling Currie Cup.
Saturday saw the British Lions claim their first scalp on South African soil when they routed to a 56-14 win over the Golden Lions but should come up against a more formidable foe in the form of the Sharks.
Being able to see the British Lions in action before coming up against them was a bonus for the Sharks that the Golden Lions never have. Sharks coach Sean Everitt wants to use that glimpse as a tool to tackle them.
“The local Lions were probably not fully aware of what an international team can bring,” Everitt said.
“Likewise, with us we are inexperienced, but it was a good learning curve for us and we know what’s coming our way.
“Our guys are going to take it to the Lions, and we have prepared really well and are focused on the job at hand.
“Although these games aren’t for any log points or league points, but they are very important for the South African cause, and I know that our guys will be up for the challenge.
“We have to keep it up for eighty minutes, so we’ve gone for a six-two split on the bench.”
Making sure that the collective goal is greater than the individual goal is a crucial part of a one-off game where young players find themselves in a situation as close to test match rugby as they have ever been.
For Everitt, he believes his side will also put the team first despite the opportunity for players to play for themselves.
“Our focus is always on team first and any guy that goes off programme in a game like this will pay the consequences on the field,” Everitt said candidly.
“We are a performance driven team and we know we need all 23 players on match-day to be able to achieve peak performance.
“It’s going to be a massive team effort from us and that is what we have focused on in our preparation.”
The Sharks have selected a settled starting fifteen with Buthelezi slotting back in at number eight.
The exciting Thaakir Abrahams starts on the wing and will be a threat following his scintillating effort that lead to Jaden Hendrickse’s try against Western Province.
Experienced campaigners Jeremy Ward and Marius Louw line up in the centres with workhorse Werner Kok on the other wing.
Hendrickse, Bosch and Manie Libbok will be running the show from scrumhalf, flyhalf and fullback respectively.
Kick-off at Emirates Airlines Park is at 7pm.
Cell C Sharks v B&I Lions
1. Khwezi Mona, 2. Fez Mbatha, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 4. Ruben
van Heerden, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. James Venter, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 8. Phepsi
Buthelezi (c), 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 10. Curwin Bosch, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 12.
Marius Louw, 13. Jeremy Ward, 14. Werner Kok, 15. Manie Libbok
Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Wiehahn
Herbst, 19. JJ van der Mescht, 20. Reniel Hugo, 21. Dylan Richardson, 22. Grant
Williams, 23. Anthony Volmink
