Sharks make six changes for Lions

The Cell C Sharks changed things up, making six changes to their starting XV to face the Fidelity ADT Lions in their Currie Cup match in Durban on Saturday.

Alwayno Visagie moves into the midfield, replacing Springbok Rohan Janse van Rensburg, while Aphelele Fassi moves to the left wing after coming off the bench against the Griffons last weekend.

Fassi takes the place of Marnus Potgieter, who drops to the bench while Tiaan Fourie is the new scrumhalf to partner Lionel Cronje in the halfbacks.

There is a new loose trio as well with Henco Venter coming into the No 8 position alongside James Venter and Dylan Richardson while Fez Mbatha and Khwezi Mona come into the front row to join Khutha Mchunu.

Mbatha said the game was very important, even though the Sharks have already qualified for the playoffs.

“Every single game is important and it doesn’t matter where we are on the log. It’s all about keeping momentum right now and making sure we do everything we need to do heading towards the playoffs.

“We’re taking it one game at a time, making sure that we play our best, every weekend to give us the best possible chance of winning the Currie Cup.

“The mood in the camp right now is really high, but we understand the importance of not taking our collective foot off the pedal. It’s about putting in hard work, keeping momentum and getting better each week.

“We know we’re not quite at our best yet so for us, the focus is on continuous improvement.”

Mbatha says it is about momentum going into the playoffs.

“For us, it’s been about momentum and keeping the same guys in the system, who understand the system so that we can execute to the best of our ability. I feel like we have achieved a lot of that, but there is also a lot we can improve on. Our game is far from perfect, we’re not quite there yet.”

CELL C SHARKS: Nevaldo Fleurs; Yaw Penxe, Murray Koster, Alwayno Visagie, Aphelele Fassi; Lionel Cronje, Tiaan Fourie; Henco Venter, James Venter, Dylan Richardson, Reniel Hugo (captain), Ockie Barnard, Khutha Mchunu, Dameon Venter, Dian Bleuler.

Replacements: Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Marco de Witt, Vincent Tshituka, Bradley Davids, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Marnus Potgieter.