The Cell C Sharks will travel to Bloemfontein to play the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in a newly arranged competition, the Toyota Challenge, which sees the home side welcoming the likes of the Cell C Sharks, Western Province, Diables Barcelona from Spain and Baia Mare from Romania to Toyota Stadium.
The Cheetahs have already played two matches in the competition, beating Diables 99-15 and narrowly going down to Western Province 31-30.
Head coach Sean Everitt has mixed it up by naming three new players to the Cell C Sharks alongside many familiar faces and a few of the younger members of the squad getting a run during this extended break from the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
With URC action returning next weekend, this is the ideal opportunity to keep squad depth active and game-ready.
Samoan international flank OJ Noa will start this match alongside fellow Samoan Ben Tapuia who has represented Australia, with replacement prop, 22 year old Dian Bleuler, newly signed from Western Province. The SA Under 20 player made his senior debut this year and will add depth to the Cell C Sharks’ front row.
Ben Tapuia is well known in Australian circles, spending six years with the Reds and a further season with the Western Force during which time he made seven appearances for the Wallabies before playing in the UK at Bath Rugby and Harlequins.
OJ Noa has two Test caps to his name and will no doubt look to impose his 1.94m tall and 112kg frame on the opposition.
There is also good news on the return of a Cell C Sharks favourite in Aphelele Fassi. The Springbok has been released from national duty and Everitt has named him in the matchday 23.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 2pm.
Cell C Sharks
- Khwezi Mona
2. Kerron van Vuuren
3. Khutha Mchunu
4. Le Roux Roets
5. Hyron Andrews
6. James Venter
7. OJ Noa
8. Henco Venter (c)
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Boeta Chamberlain
11. Anthony Volmink
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Marnus Potgieter
14. Werner Kok
15. Rynhardt Jonker
Replacements
16. Dan Jooste
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Lourens Adriaanse
19. Reniel Hugo
20. Phepsi Buthelezi
21. Sanele Nohamba
22. Jeremy Ward
23. Aphelele Fassi