The Cell C Sharks travel to Joburg this weekend to take on the Fidelity ADT Lions in a round four Currie Cup clash against the 2015 champions.
Having highlighted continuity and cohesion as a vital cog in his team’s progress in the Currie Cup this year, and following their outstanding victory over DHL Western Province last weekend, Cell C Sharks Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo has kept faith in the players that delivered the goods, making just two personnel changes to this week’s side.
In the only change to the pack, Jeandre Labuschagne comes into the matchday XV, with Thembelani Bholi shifting to eighthman in place of Henco Venter, while Alwayno Visagie, who played off the bench last week, gets a start this week, replacing the injured Marnus Potgieter on the wing in the only other change.
“It was a good win for us, to help us build that cohesion,” Mongalo reflected on his side’s 20-7 victory over DHL Western Province last weekend.
“It was a big win for us and if you take it in the context of where Western province and Stormers rugby is at the moment, for us to win was massive for our confidence and having faith in our individual ability as well as faith as a group and what we’re trying to build and the memories we’re trying to create together.
“So it was good affirmation for us as a group but now our focus shifts to the Lions who are well-coached, we have a lot of respect for them as a team. They’ve done well, they showed a lot of character to fight back against the Griffons in their last game.
“The Lions play with a lot of pride at home and we have no illusions about the challenge that lies ahead for us.
“For us, it’s another opportunity to build the ideals we have for this team and where we think it can go and we’re hoping to see more cohesion for longer periods of time, that remains the theme. To just keep getting better.”
Saturday’s clash at Emirates Airline Park kicks off at 3.30pm.
Cell C Sharks
- Khwezi Mona
- Fez Mbatha
- Khutha Mchunu
- Corne Rahl
- Reniel Hugo
- James Venter
- Jeandre Labuschagne
- Thembelani Bholi
- Bradley Davids
- Fred Zeilinga
- Alwayno Visagie
- Francois Venter
- Murray Koster (c)
- Phikolomzi Sobahle
- Yaw Penxe
Replacements
- Masikane Mazwi
- Dian Bleuler
- Devon Martinus
- Hyron Andrews
- Damon Royle
- Tiaan Fourie
- Lionel Cronje
- Luyanda Mkhize