THE next Vodacom Super Rugby Shark’s game is on Saturday, 15 July at Growthpoint Kings Park at 5.15pm.
“This is a big game for us, which will lay the platform and give us the momentum we need heading to the playoffs. We need to execute efficiently and give a better account of ourselves in this game,” said head coach, Robert du Preez. “It’s going to be a huge battle upfront and judging by our earlier encounter, it is going to come down to discipline and determination.”
Cell C Sharks coach Robert du Preez has selected a team as close to full strength as possible for the final Vodacom Super Rugby pool match of the competition as they look to perform with distinction.
By the time the two teams meet at Growthpoint Kings Park on Saturday, there may be everything to play for, or not, because both teams have already qualified, but it’s all about building consistency ahead of the quarter-finals next week, and there’s nothing like winning to build confidence and momentum.
There is a lot of excitement in the camp and a steely determination to perform well.
“We’ve been looking forward to this game, especially after the previous match between the two sides, where we felt we could have taken that game,” says scrumhalf Cobus Reinach.
“Hopefully we can put in a great performance by sticking to our processes, and that way, walk away with the result we want.
“The Lions are playing really good rugby and with all the Springboks in their team now, they would have walked away from the Test series against the French with a lot of confidence. Although every team has their strengths and weakness, but our focus needs to be on us, on our processes and what we do, not the opposition.”
Both teams like to embrace exciting, attacking rugby which has all the elements for a great game of rugby. And certainly the Cell C Sharks are up for it.
“We’re looking forward to it, we’ve been training well with high intensity and looking to give it our all.”
Chiliboy Ralepelle starts in place of Franco Marais at hooker in the only change to the front row for this match, while Jean-Luc du Preez returns for Tera Mtembu in the second change amongst the forwards.
Lukhanyo Am returns from injury with Kobus van Wyk shifting to the wing and Lwazi Mvovo replaces Curwin Bosch at fullback.
Interesting facts
- The Cell C Sharks have a 96 per cent scrum success rate, to date, in this year’s tournament;
- Cell C Sharks locks Stephan Lewies and Ruan Botha have each stolen seven (7) lineouts this campaign and are ranked joined second in this year’s competition for the most lineout steals.
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