James Venter will lead a strong Cell C Sharks team in their Carling Currie Cup clash with the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.
The openside flank is joined by several players who have done well for the Sharks at all levels in recent years as the Currie Cup selection again reflects the strong depth being built at the franchise subsequent to the equity deal with their American partners, MVM.
Interesting selections are those of Boeta Chamberlain at flyhalf and Yaw Penxe, who normally plays wing, at fullback. Chamberlain replaces Curwin Bosch, who regained some of his confidence in the Sharks team that beat DHL Western Province in their most recent Currie Cup game at Hollywoodbets Kings Park two and a half weeks ago.
Chamberlain was being backed as the Sharks’ United Rugby Championship flyhalf so his selection in the Currie Cup team might be an indication that he has now slipped behind Bosch, who was on the URC team’s bench last week at Loftus, in the pecking order. There again, it could just be a case of Chamberlain getting some game time as he took no part in last week’s game.
The Sharks started the season slowly with a one point win over Griquas before picking up the pace in their recent win over WP and as coach Etienne Fynn explained in an online press conference, increasing the momentum will be the objective of Saturday’s game.
“As always, you’re looking for improvement in the areas that you lacked a little in the previous game and building on those areas where you were strong,” said Fynn.
“It’s like a trifle, if you put too many ingredients in it, it becomes a mess, so for us it’s about keeping it as simple as possible and getting better and better in the execution of what you know works.”
The Lions lost 48-36 to DHL Western Province in the opening round before suffering a 50-9 defeat to the Airlink Pumas in their second match and with just one log point, prop up the Currie Cup table in seventh position. That though won’t sway the Sharks towards complacency as the Lions have included a few URC players and will be in a desperate mood.
CELL C SHARKS TEAM: Yaw Penxe, Werner Kok, Jeremy Ward, Murray Koster, Marnus Potgieter, Boeta Chamberlain, Cameron Wright, Celimpilo Gumede, Thembelani Bholi, James Venter (captain), Reniel Hugo, Le Roux Roets, Khutha Mchunu, Fez Mbatha, Khwezi Mona.
Replacements: Dan Jooste, Dian Bleuler, Wiehahn Herbst, Emile van Heerden, OJ Noa, Sanele Nohamba, Inny Radebe, Bradley Davids