Slight changes for Sharks ahead of Stormer clash

Following on from last week’s draw against the same opponents at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, head coach Sean Everitt has not tinkered too much with the team for the return leg.

The forward pack that dominated the Stormers at scrum time has been given an overwhelming thumbs up, while Everitt has swapped the jerseys of flyhalf and scrumhalf, with Jaden Hendrikse starting at nine and Argentine international Tito Bonilla at ten, with last week’s incumbents Grant Williams and Boeta Chamberlain playing off the bench.

With the injury to inside centre Ben Tapuai, captain Lukhanyo Am has shifted into his place with Jeremy Ward coming off the bench and into the starting line-up at outside centre.

"Unfortunately Ben Tapuai took a knock on his knee at training on Tuesday and is unavailable for selection," coach Sean Everitt said. "We are still waiting to see the outcome of that one so we will have more clarity on that next week.

"The other changes with Tito and Jaden is a case of giving them a start after sitting on the bench for a number of games and it's grest that they are getting an opportunity.

"Jaden was our number one nine but Grant Williams has done well and we can see our scrumhalves rotating going forward."

This opens the door for Werner Kok to wear the number 23 jersey, with the final change seeing Reniel Hugo making way for Gerbrandt Grobler.

While there was a lot to enthuse about in the first leg clash with the Stormers last week, one concern was not closing out the victory when the Cell C Sharks held a decent lead.

This is not a structural issue but more about composure and bringing an element of ruthlessness to their game that Everitt will have outlined in the preparations to this match and exhorted his players to adopt this week.

With just two points separating the Cell C Sharks and Stormers on the URC table, every log point counts and this match presents the opportunity to put some daylight between them and the chasing South African sides.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 17h05.

Cell C Sharks

1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Thomas du Toit (v/c), 4 Ruben van Heerden, 5 Hyron Andrews, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 10 Tito Bonilla, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am (c), 13 Jeremy Ward, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements

16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Werner Kok.