Although continuity is the key factor in the Cell C Sharks team named to take on the DHL Stormers at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday, having Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, the SA Rugby Player of the Year Winner back in the side, along with fellow Bok Bongi Mbonambi is a huge boost to the team’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship aspirations.
“We are very fortunate, and very happy for Siya for the award he’s received, it’s just reward for all the efforts he put in since his arrival at The Sharks and his performances in 2021, so credit to him for the hard work he put in, we’re very proud of him,” said head coach Sean Everitt in the build-up to the game.
“Bongi will certainly strengthen our scrum, anyone with international experience is an asset to our team. As the best in his position in South Africa, we were certainly going to utilise that, although it must be said that Kerron van Vuuren played very well last week.
Van Vuuren shifts to the bench in one of only two changes, with continuity in team selection a real bonus for the Cell C Sharks.
“It’s great for us, this is what our end goal was,” Everitt pointed out. “We were making changes every week, but we were building a base of players and we have the Carling Currie Cup being played at the moment and with the Springboks back with us now for a lengthy period, we’re able to now go for our form team week in and week out. It brings a lot of confidence when you can have continuity in selection, especially after a win like last week.
Selecting on form also means there are opportunities out there, and one player who has taken up the challenge is flank Jeandre Labuschagne. The locally schooled Maritzburg College old boy has come through the junior ranks, was a member of the successful 2018 Cell C Sharks Under 19 champion side and has certainly earned his place in the senior side.
“Jeandre has displayed some really good form over the last two games he’s played,” Everitt explained. “He had a high tackle count and tackle completion, so he’s really busy around the field and looking after rucks and his ball carriers. As far as form goes, he’s probably the form number seven at the Cell C Sharks.”
There was a lot of good achieved against the Emirates Lions last weekend in the Cell C Sharks’ 47-37 victory, Everitt pointed out that there is still work to be done.
“There are always areas to improve on, I felt that our discipline and accuracy on receiving and kick-sending in the kick-off wasn’t accurate enough and we were able to give the opposition good field position. That and goal-line defence are aspects that we’ve worked hard on this week.”
The Stormers’ 30-26 defeat of the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus was unexpected after the Bulls’ form at home over the last couple of seasons, but underlined what a good side the Capetonians are.
“The Stormers win in the 81st minute is testament to the fact that the game could have gone either way, but all credit to them, they built a nice lead and then finished strongly.
“We know they have serious game-breakers who can win you games, especially at the death. They also have a big and well-drilled pack of forwards, and have Steven Kitshoff back and he brings added fire-power to the front row as well as strong leadership to the group.”
There is no underestimating the Stormers in the Cell C Sharks’ camp, said Everitt, and they expect the Cape Town side to come at them.
“They won four scrum penalties against the Bulls, so that’s something we’re aware of and we know we will get heat from them upfront. It’s about us nullifying the set-piece because that’s an important component if you want to win games.
“It’s never easy against a quality team like the Stormers, we’ve had some close duels in recent times, games like this are always a 50-50 affair but fortunately for us we have home ground advantage and we want to make the most of that.
“We’re extremely motivated to try and make Hollywoodbets Kings Park a fortress, but it is going to be a good battle out there.”