Aphelele Fassi will make a timeous return to the Cell C Sharks team for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday evening.
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The Springbok has been out injured for several weeks but returns for the crucially important clash with the championship front-runners, who currently head the overall log by 10 points from second placed Ulster. It is a big game for the Sharks as they move to the cusp of playoff qualification and coach Sean Everitt will be pleased to have his x-factor player back in tow.
There are only two changes to the Sharks team that started in the good win over the Emirates Lions in Durban two weeks ago. Apart from Fassi coming back for Anthony Volmink in the No15 jersey, there is a rotational switch at lock, where Reniel Hugo drops to the bench to make place for the return of Le Roux Roets as Gerbrandt Grobler’s second row partner.
Volmink drops out completely, otherwise the Sharks’ match day 23 is the same as that which duty against the Lions. That’s unsurprising, as continuity in selection has always been coach Sean Everitt’s watchword and the Sharks, after the disappointment of the defeat to Edinburgh four weeks ago, have bounced back with strong performances against the Dragons and the Lions.
Everitt will know better than anyone though that Leinster represent a completely different challenge to their most recent opponents. Although the champions of the competition from its previous identity as the PRO14 arrived in South Africa with only six members of their 23 that did duty in their Champions Cup round of 16 win over Connacht last weekend, it is the Leinster depth that has seen the Dublin based team to the top of the table and to four successive titles.
The players who will do duty for Leinster in Durban will not be strangers to each other and won some big games together while the Irish internationals were on Six Nations duty. Leinster rested players for the trip because they have a Champions Cup quarterfinal back home in just over a fortnight from now and their lead of the URC log is comfortable enough for coach Leo Cullen to manage his resources.
The Sharks will again be captained by prop Thomas du Toit, who has been excellent in the leadership role in the last two games.
Cell C Sharks TEAM: Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Ben Tapuai, Marius Louw, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Jaden Hendrikse, Phepsi Buthelezi, Henco Venter, Siya Kolisi, Gerbrandt Grobler, Le Roux Roets, Thomas du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Kerron van Vuuren, Nthuthuko Mchunu, Khutha Mchunu, Reniel Hugo, Jeandre Labuschagne, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Grant Williams, Boeta Chamberlain.
