The Sharks make several changes for Bulls clash
Cell C Sharks Head Coach Robert du Preez, who had hinted at making rotational changes during the season and after three Vodacom Super Rugby matches, has re-arranged his side to take on the Vodacom Bulls.
After naming the same starting line-up in three successive matches, the coach has decided to enact a few changes to the team to travel to Loftus for Saturday’s showdown with the Bulls.
The @CellC Sharks Head Coach Robert du Preez has hinted at making rotational changes during the season and after three Vodacom @SuperRugby matches, has re-arranged his side to take on the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby.
— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) March 7, 2019
Full team: https://t.co/EXV6qWJmWM#BULvSHA #WakandaForever🐾 pic.twitter.com/2R2AnAHK2R
The two changes to the pack see Gideon Koegelenberg replacing Ruan Botha at lock, with the uncapped Ruben van Heerden named on the bench and Wian Vosloo comes in for Tyler Paul at flank. Jacques Vermeulen moves to the other side of the scrum to accommodate Vosloo.
Amongst the backs, Jeremy Ward and Andre Esterhuizen swap jerseys while Rhyno Smith comes in for Aphelele Fassi at fullback.
There are also a couple of changes on the bench, the uncapped Maritzburg old boy, Fezokuhle Mbatha replaces Kerron van Vuuren while Grant Williams takes over from Cameron Wright as scrumhalf back-up.
After being a late withdrawal for last week’s match, Curwin Bosch has recovered sufficiently to be named amongst the reserves.
Cell C Sharks lock Hyron Andrews admits that there were areas of the team’s game that let them down last week, but this week is all about fixing that.
“Our accuracy at set-piece time let us down last week but we’ve worked hard to rectify it this week and the boys are up for this match,” he explains. “The boys hate losing and we learn from defeat, but we’re coming back stronger. We’re tough on ourselves and each other when we make mistakes but it’s a brotherhood and we get on with it.
He adds that this game is all down to pressure – who can exert it and who crumbles.
“We know we can expect the Vodacom Bulls to put pressure on us at lineout time as well as the scrums so it’s going to be a real set-piece battle on Saturday. If we can put pressure on them, then that gives our backs an opportunity to really play; we have some outstanding backline players.”
Cell C Sharks
15. Rhyno Smith
14. Sbu Nkosi
13. Lukhanyo Am
12. Jeremy Ward
11. Makazole Mapimpi
10. Robert du Preez
9. Louis Schreuder (c)
8. Daniel du Preez
7. Jacques Vermeulen
6. Wian Vosloo
5. Hyron Andrews
4. Gideon Koegelenberg
3. Coenie Oosthuizen
2. Akker van der Merwe
1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements
16. Fezokuhle Mbatha
17. Juan Schoeman
18. Thomas du Toit
19. Ruben van Heerden
20. Phepsi Buthelezi
21. Grant Williams
22. Andre Esterhuizen
23. Curwin Bosch