Sharks name side heavy with forgotten Boks
The Sharks host the Toyota Free State Cheetahs and they've named a side heavy with forgotten Springboks.
Head coach Sean Everitt has made four changes to last week’s side, two each amongst the forwards and backs.
Out of favour Springboks Curwin Bosch, Coenie Oosthuizen, Curwin Bosch, Lwazi Mvovo and JP Pietersen have all been named in the team.
Upfront, Mzamo Majola comes in for Juan Schoeman at loosehead prop while Luke Stringer makes way for Jacques Vermeulen in the other change to the pack.
Amongst the backs, Aphelele Fassi takes over the fullback jersey from Rhyno Smith while Sanele Nohamba will start at scrumhalf with Cameron wright playing off the bench.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s match against Free State, there are some lessons that will have been taken onboard after the loss to the Pumas.
“It was a game of two halves, the wheels fell off the bus a bit because we lacked composure in the second half and while we’ve spoken about an 80-minute performance, we didn’t pull it through,” explains Cell C Sharks scrumhalf Cameron Wright.
“I don’t think there is any questioning our effort, that was there but perhaps we were a bit over-eager, throwing off-loads and 50-50 passes where it wasn’t necessarily on. From a physicality perspective I think we are up there, we have a physical side and we pride ourselves on that, it’s something we back ourselves on.”
With three matches of the pool stages remaining, it’s vital that the Cell C Sharks pick up a victory this weekend.
“We want to win every game, that’s our goal and that should be the mindset. Other teams have done us a few favours – the Blue Bulls and Western Province going down - and kept the Currie Cup quite open. But we definitely have to win, we want to win all three – that’s a non-negotiable – and we need to win all three.
After Free State lost narrowly last week, Wright expects a backlash this weekend.
“They are hurting a bit and we expect them to come hard at us, particularly early on. They like to play an expansive style of play married with physicality, so if we can match them, I think we’re in for a good shot.”
Cell C Sharks
1.Mzamo Majola
2.Kerron van Vuuren
3.Coenie Oosthuizen
4.Ruben van Heerden
5.Hyron Andrews
6.Phepsi Buthelezi
7.Jacques Vermeulen
8.Tera Mtembu (co-captain)
9.Sanele Nohamba
10.Curwin Bosch
11.Lwazi Mvovo
12.Jeremy Ward (co-captain)
13.JP Pietersen
14.Kobus van Wyk
15.Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
16.Craig Burden
17.Juan Schoeman
18.John-Hubert Meyer
19.Gideon Koegelenberg
20.Evan Roos*
21.Cameron Wright
22.Marius Louw
23.Rhyno Smith
Latest Comments
No just because the personal is much better than last year. I've shown no antagonism of Crusader players, you must be confusing me with someone else.
I have critized Razor for picking players he knows occasionally?
I said I'm not surprised because of his style, he's more a grinder player like Cane, not going to show up on peoples radar until you see how bad the other choices are. This year players like Clarke have been on fire and just show a bit more.
Are you one of those posters continually taking it easy on Razor because he doesn't have his Crusaders stars available? Do you think the rugby world is going to up to him suddenly once Mo'unga returns? lol
Go to commentsJohn you have been beating this drum for a couple of years, if you get proven right get back to us.
The last recent and decent Aussie coach was Ewen McKenzie, he was undermined and forced out by a couple of slimy Aussie players who were given a free pass when they should have been disciplined.
So our history since McQueen is very checkered and it seems to make little difference whether we have an Aussie coach or a Kiwi coach. The players have been entitled for a long time and we had to hit bottom to get them back into reality and to stop thinking it is all about them.
Cheika was an OK coach but his 'go our and destroy the opposition' tactic worked for a while and then didn't.
Please give me a list of great Aussie coaches that I have missed.
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