Former Maties flyhalf Jordan Chait is at fullback for the Cell C. Sharks team that will host the Toyota Cheetahs in a top of the table Carling Currie Cup clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Wednesday night.
Chait was called in to start last week’s wet weather game against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus at the 11th hour because of an injury to Tito Bonilla. However the Argentine international is fit again this week and slots into the No10 jersey, with Chait moving to the last line of defence, where Inny Radebe played against the Bulls.
Sharks coach Etienne Fynn has kept the pack that did duty in Pretoria intact for the Cheetahs clash but the switch of Chait to fullback is not the only change at the back. For instance, there is a complete change to the midfield, with Ethan Fisher being rewarded for his good performance off the bench last week by being given a start off at inside centre, while Jeremy Ward takes the No13 jersey from Murray Koster.
The good news for both the Sharks Currie Cup and Vodacom United Rugby Championship prospects is that openside flank Dylan Richardson is fit again and will be playing against the Cheetahs off the bench. With the Six Nations now over, there is no prospect of Richardson being whisked away so the timing of his recovery is good news for the Sharks and less perfect for Scotland.
After suffering their first loss last week, the Sharks will be eager to score the win that will keep them apace with the table topping Cheetahs, who are the only team that has gone unbeaten to this point.There is one debutant in the Sharks match day squad, with backline replacement Lloyd Koster getting his first opportunity to show what he can do at this level.
Cell C Sharks team: Jordan Chait, Yaw Penxe, Jeremy Ward, Ethan Fisher, Curwin Gertse, Tito Bonilla, Cameron Wright, Celimphilo Gumede, Thembelani Bholi, James Venter (captain), Hyron Andrews, Emile van Heerden, Wiehahn Herbst, Fez Mbatha, Dian Bleuler. Replacements: Dan Jooste, Braam Reyneke, Lourens Adriaanse, Jeandre Labuschagne, Dylan Richardson, OJ Noah, Sanele Nohamba, Lloyd Koster.