Lock Le Roux Roets has returned to the engine room as the only change to the Cell C Sharks starting team for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus.
Roets missed the Sharks’ trip to Belfast to play Ulster in their final league game due to his wife giving birth that weekend. He replaces Ruben van Heerden in the second row, with Van Heerden moving to the bench. Gerbrandt Grobler is still absent so it can be assumed he still has the injury that prevented him from going to the Kingspan Stadium.
One significant difference that Sharks coach Sean Everitt has come up with in comparison to his team’s most recent game is the reversion to the more traditional five/three split between forwards and backs on the bench. The six/two split has been the Sharks way recently and bringing three backs onto the bench instead of two might be an indication that the Sharks will be preparing to run more in what should be a dry day on the highveld.
Former Wallaby centre Ben Tapuai has been entrusted with the responsibility of being an impact sub who can change the game for the Sharks later in the piece, with Boeta Chamberlain continuing on the bench as Curwin Bosch retains the starting No10. From the squad that went to Belfast, Hyron Andrews has dropped out, as has Jeandre Labuschagne. Both will be playing for the Sharks Currie Cup team against the Sigma Lions on Saturday.
A feature of the team for the Bulls game that is worth noting is that prop Thomas du Toit is continuing as captain even though this will be Springbok centre and regular captain Lukhanyo Am’s second game back after returning from his two month sojourn in Japan.
Cell C Sharks team: Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am, Marius Louw, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Jaden Hendrikse, Phepsi Buthelezi, Henco Venter, Siya Kolisi, Reniel Hugo, Le Roux Roets, Thomas du Toit (captain), Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Kerron van Vuuren, Nthuthuko Mchunu, Khutha Mchunu, Ruben van Heerden, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Grant Williams, Boeta Chamberlain, Ben Tapuai.