With just two log points separating five teams, tonight’s Carling Curie Cup clash with the high-riding Suzuki Griquas in Kimberley takes on an important perspective for the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV with three rounds remaining.
Head coach Mike Vowles believes his team are in the right mental and physical space for the big test against the current log leaders, given his team’s recent accomplishments and preparation for this crucial clash.
“We’ve had a really good week of prep and taken a lot of confidence from our performance against the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers last week [defeating them 19-12] which we’re looking to build on that success on Friday evening,” he pointed out.
“We’re excited about playing them at home, they’re a tough team, they are never easy to play in Kimberley, but it’s a battle we’ve prepared well for and one we’re confident going into.”
Commenting on the line-up for this week, he explained that, “There have been some changes to our starting team, and this is due to the fact that the VURC team played against the All Blacks on Tuesday night and we were very fortunate to have some of our Carling Currie Cup players represented in that matchday squad.
“So, it was a great opportunity for them, we’re massively proud of the effort they put in and that they were able to represent the union at that level. It’s a great indictment on where the Carling Currie Cup competition sits and the hard work they’re putting in.”
Changes in the front row include Rambo Kubheka and Simphiwe Ngobese who both played a role on Tuesday night moving onto the bench, giving Jaco du Toit and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko an opportunity to start.
The other change comes at loose-forward where Tom Dyer has a rib injury, so Wasi Vyambwera starts at seven, moving Tino Mavesere to openside flank and Hanu Pieterse to start at eight.
“Then in the backs, we’re starting with Albie Bester, it’s his first start in the Carling Currie Cup this year, with Janco Purchase moving on to the bench, and Luan Giliomee, who also played a bit on Tuesday night, retaining his spot at fullback.”
The only other changes in the matchday 23 are Jacques Marais who comes onto the bench at hooker to replace Kerron van Vuuren who is injured and Danio Botha who takes over from Willam van den Hever who suffered an HIA last week.
“So it’s an exciting group, a group that would have been tested physically in the week and are very keen to get back onto the Carling Currie Cup field and compete.
“It’s a group we have full confidence that will put in a good performance.”
