The Cell C Sharks have left the warm climate of Durban and headed north to chilly Treviso in Italy for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton.
This match offers the Durbanites the opportunity to get stuck into overseas opposition once more following a period of South African derbies over the last few months. With the tournament starting to hot up and the resumption of games against international teams, the Cell C Sharks will embrace the challenge to lay a marker in the competition.
The teams will meet at the 5 000 seater Stadio Comunale di Monigo, scene of Benetton’s 35-8 Rainbow Cup victory over the Vodacom Bulls on 19 June last year and the Cell C Sharks can expect something of a cold welcome – the night-time temperature sees the mercury expected to drop to minus 2°C, although the daytime is a little more temperate at 14°C.
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has largely stuck with the same team that defeated the Vodacom Bulls in their last outing for Saturday’s 5.05pm clash, making just two changes to the starting line-up.
Ruben van Heerden comes in for Hyron Andrews (concussion) in the second row, opening the door for Le Roux Roets to come into the match 23 where he is named to play off the bench.
The second change sees Curwin Bosch starting at flyhalf, with Argentine international Tito Bonilla named amongst the replacements
Following the sublime form he showed for the Cell C Sharks in their Carling Currie Cup victory over the Sigma Lions, scrumhalf Cameron Wright has been called into the VURC squad and rewarded with a place on the bench. He replaces Grant Williams who is unfortunately serving a suspension and did not tour.
Cell C Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Thomas du Toit (v/c)
4. Ruben van Heerden
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. Siya Kolisi
7. Henco Venter
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Marius Louw
13. Lukhanyo Am (c)
14. Sbu Nkosi
15. Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuuren
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Khutha Mchunu
19. Le Roux Roets
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Cameron Wright
22. Tito Bonilla
23. Werner Kok