Springbok resting protocols have forced two front-row changes for the Cell C Sharks for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby clash with the DHL Stormers at HollywoodBets Kings Park.
The changes to the front row were anticipated, with Thomas du Toit and Ox Nche both among the group that Bok coach Jacques Nienaber is resting for the next month and a bit before a national training camp starts the Rugby World Cup buildup. The top Boks will be available for their franchises again in the Heineken Champions Cup quarterfinal weekend of 31 March to 2 April, but in the meantime, the teams will be playing under-strength.
Not that the absence of the Boks should necessarily detract from the excitement of Saturday’s eagerly-awaited coastal derby, and the selection of the bulky and powerful former Stormers and Emirates Lions prop Carlu Sadie at tighthead and the promising Ntuthuko Mchunu replacements for Du Toit and Nche respectively is indicative of the depth the Sharks have available to them.
They also have depth at the back, with one Springbok replacing another in the midfield. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, who did not play against Edinburgh last week, comes in for Ben Tapuai in the No 12 jersey to facilitate the former Wallaby’s switch to outside centre in place of Francois Venter.
Grant Williams, one of two Sharks Bok scrumhalves, is out injured this week and is replaced by Cameron Wright, who has the kicking game to be a thorn to the Stormers if the humidity renders the 2pm early afternoon clash a wet weather game.
The Sharks’ alternative team, meaning the one without the Boks, has struggled in recent times, but last week’s good away win over Edinburgh has given them confidence and they also have a sniff of a chance to compete for the South African Shield if they win on Saturday.
“We’ve taken a lot of energy out of that game,” said the Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi in an online press conference on Thursday.
“There was massive character shown by the boys and we’re very proud of that. I could see on the training pitch this week that there’s a lot of belief and energy in the group. From a defensive point of view, that win was a positive from us and it’s something we want to continue to grow.”
However, Fassi acknowledged the challenge that will be posed by the visit of the never-say-die defending champions, who drew in Durban with a late rally last year before winning 20-10 at DHL Stadium in Cape Town a week later.
“Coastal derbies are always special, we know the style of play they want to play, we know the threats they bring in terms of the breakdown, the set-piece and going forward in terms of our plan is to just match that and take the opportunities we’ve identified. And being clinical in converting those into points.”
CELL C SHARKS TEAM: Aphelele Fassi, Marnus Potgieter, Ben Tapuai, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Thaakir Abrahams, Curwin Bosch, Cameron Wright, Phepsi Buthelezi, Henco Venter, James Venter, Gerbrandt Grobler, Hyron Andrews, Carlu Sadie, Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: Dan Jooste, Dian Bleuler, Hanro Jacobs, Reniel Hugo, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Bradley Davids, Lionel Cronje, Yaw Penxe.