Everitt names Sharks side for URC opener
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has announced his
first team for the new Vodacom United Rugby Championship season with three
debutants in the matchday 23 to face Zebre Parma on Friday.
The Sharks have made an SOS call to former Glenwood and Sharks flyhalf Fred Zeilinga following injuries to both Curwin Bosch and Lionel Cronje coming into the season. Zeilinga will start on the bench with Boeta Chamberlain starting.
Rohan Janse van Rensberg makes his Sharks debut in the centres while Carlu Sadie and Justin Basson will receive their first caps for the franchise if they come off the bench on Friday evening.
The Sharks beat their Italian opposition 38-6 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park last season, however the Italians gave a good account of themselves last week against Leinster, losing 33-29.
“Zebre will be a tough nut to crack at home,” Everitt said. “They put on a good performance against Leinster last weekend, and I don’t think anyone would have believed the game would be so close; they were unfortunate not to get the result.
“We’re under no illusions as to what we’re facing on Friday night, and we know this competition is unforgiving as some of the teams found out in the first weekend’s action.”
For Everitt it’s far less daunting going into this season than it was going into the last one.
“We’re happy to make amends from our start last year, all the South African teams struggled but we’re coming in with a bit more experience.
“We know what’s coming our way as far as the opposition is concerned. It’s not like last year when we were going into the unknown.”
Chamberlain established himself as a strong option at pivot for the Sharks last season and Everitt is confident in the 23-year-old.
“Preparations have gone well, apart from the injuries picked up by Curwin Bosch and Lionel Cronje, but Boeta showed enough in those pre-season friendlies against the Lions and Stormers that he’s ready to take over the number 10 jersey.”
“We as a group are really excited about the challenge ahead and can’t wait for Friday night’s game.”
Thomas du Toit will captain the side while Thaakir Abrahams makes a welcome return back to the Sharks side after an extended period out injured.
Cell C Sharks
1 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vurren, 3 Thomas du Toit (c), 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 5 Reniel Hugo, 6 James Venter, 7 Dylan Richardson, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 9 Grant Williams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 12 Ben Tapuai, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg*, 14 Werner Kok, 15 Aphelele Fassi
REPLACEMENTS
16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Carlu Sadie*, 19 Justin Basson*, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Marnus Potgieter
*Denotes VURC debut for the Cell C Sharks
