Curwin Bosch is back in the Cell C Sharks No 10 jersey for the Durban team’s final Carling Currie Cup league game against DHL Western Province in Cape Town.
Bosch has been out since he was injured playing for the Sharks in their final Vodacom United Rugby Championship game against Munster in Durban several weeks ago. His selection is an indication that he may be expected to take a lead role as the Sharks bid for their ninth Currie Cup title, but there is also a resting element to this selection as some of the players who have been part of the rest of the domestic campaign have put in long shifts.
Phepsi Buthelezi leads a team that is not much short of URC strength and features no less than 14 changes from the side that played well to beat the Lions in their penultimate regular season game last weekend.
Among the regular URC players who will be taking the field for the Sharks in Cape Town are Werner Kok, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Cameron Wright, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Buthelezi, Gerbrandt Grobler, Byron Andrews, Carlu Sadie and Kerron van Vuuren, while Thaakir Abrahams will be injecting his X-factor from fullback.
On the other end of the scale, there is a debutant on the bench in the form of looseforward/second-row back-up Nick Hatton, who is part of an impact squad that has a six/two split between forwards and backs.
Although the Sharks are assured of a home semifinal, they need to beat Province to take the further step of securing the top-of-the-log finish that would mean the final gets played in Durban should the Sharks get that far. With WP playing probably their final game of their campaign as they look to end what has been another impressive season for Cape rugby, regardless of whether or not they sneak into the domestic playoffs, the Sharks will need to be good to win at the DHL Stadium.
WP might have a playoff place to play for should other results go their way during the weekend, although that eventuality appears unlikely.
Cell C Sharks team: Thaakir Abrahams, Werner Kok, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Marnus Potgieter, Phikolomzi Sobahle, Curwin Bosch, Cameron Wright, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Phepsi Buthelezi, Thembelani Bholi, Gerbrandt Grobler, Hyron Andrews, Carlu Sadie, Kerron van Vuuren, Khwezi Mona. Replacements: Dameon Venter, Dian Bleuler, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Nick Hatton, Celimphilo Gumedie, Tiaan Fourie, Nevaldo Fluers.