The Cell C Sharks enjoyed a successful campaign during the pool stages of this year’s Carling Currie Cup, enough to secure the home semi-final that sees them hosting the Tafel Lager Griquas at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday.
Griquas have always been competitive in the early stages of the tournament before dropping off the pace, but this year have been a revelation for their fans.
Head coach Sean Everitt is full of praise for the team from Kimberley as he looks ahead to the big match and warns that they will present formidable opposition to his team’s quest for silverware.
“They’ve done exceptionally well under Scott Mathie to get into the semi-finals, they’ve been consistent through-out the competition, week-in and week-out and they’ve rolled over the big boys on a couple of occasions. They’ve beaten the Lions, Western Province as well as the Cell C Sharks so we know this is a big challenge.”
While Everitt warned that Griquas pose a massive threat, he backs his team to achieve the necessary result if they perform to their ability.
“The last time they came to Durban, they had a good outing against us and won that game 37-30, so we are going to have to prepare well but if we do stick to the plan and we play according to our potential, we should be in the final.”
In his efforts to maintain continuity, Everitt has made just two changes to last week’s side, one amongst the forwards and the other in the backline, with Dylan Richardson returning for James Venter on the side of the scrum and Marius Louw taking over from Murray Koster at inside centre.
Cell C Sharks
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu
2. Kerron van Vuuren
3. Khutha Mchunu
4. Le Roux Roets
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. Dylan Richardson
7. Henco Venter
8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c)
9. Sanele Nohamba
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Thaakir Abrahams
12. Marius Louw
13. Werner Kok
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Curwin Bosch
Replacements
16. Dan Jooste
17. Khwezi Mona
18. Lourens Adriaanse
19. Reniel Hugo
20. Thembelani Bholi
21. Cameron Wright
22. Jeremy Ward
23. Anthony Volmink