The Sharks are in want of a lift following their poor exhibiting in the URC up to now.
After mainly hitting all-time low in the first a part of this yr’s United Rugby Championship, the Sharks get a chance to set the document straight and present what they’re really able to once they tackle Pau in the first spherical of the Challenge Cup in Durban on Saturday, with kick off at 5.15pm.
John Plumtree’s return to educate the Sharks for a second time hasn’t began nicely; his team have received simply considered one of their seven URC video games and are down in fifteenth place in the standings. And not even the introduction of a number of World Cup winners might halt their slide after they crashed to a 44-10 defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld final Saturday.
But up in opposition to a brand new team from France in a brand new competitors it will possibly solely be hoped that Plumtree and the Sharks gamers can discover some confidence and kind to place up a battle and even perhaps get a win underneath their belts.
Pau from France
It received’t be simple although; Pau are a stable outfit who’re fourth on the log in the Top 14 and they’ve been aggressive in European rugby since 1902 and now boast of their team Test cap document holder Sam Whitelock of New Zealand. Two different former All Blacks to have run out for them embrace Ben Smith and Conrad Smith.
In a lift for the Sharks, Kerron van Vuuren returns at hooker after a spell on the sidelines with damage, and so, too, does lock Le Roux Roets.
Ox Nche may also begin instead of Ntuthuko Mchunu this week, whereas Grant Williams will put on the No 9 jersey, with Jaden Hendrikse shifting to the bench.
Marnus Potgieter additionally comes into the aspect on the wing, whereas Lionel Cronje and Ethan Hooker are new faces on the bench.
Lions and Cheetahs
The Lions in the meantime have picked a new-look team captained by hooker Jaco Visagie, for his or her Challenge Cup match in opposition to Perpignan on Sunday (5.15pm), the place they may meet previous team-mate Marvin Orie, recent off his World Cup win with the Springboks.
It is a younger Lions team, with the majority of first-choice gamers again residence in Joburg getting ready for subsequent week’s second spherical match of the competitors in opposition to Newcastle. The Lions go into the match in France on the again of two good residence wins in the URC.
And, the Cheetahs are again in motion as nicely, by invitation, taking up the URC team Zebre in Parma on Saturday (3pm). Ruan Pienaar is the standout participant of their aspect and his team-mates will look to him to point out the approach.
TEAMS
Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Marnus Potgieter, Lukhanyo Am (capt), Francois Venter, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Grant Williams, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Phepsi Buthelezi, James Venter, Corne Rahl, Eben Etzebeth, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kerron van Vuuren, Ox Nche. Bench: Dan Jooste, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Le Roux Roets, Jeandre Labuschagne, Jaden Hendrikse, Lionel Cronje, Ethan Hooker.
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Rabz Maxwane, Erich Cronje, Zander du Plessis, Boldwin Hansen, Jordan Hendrikse, Nico Steyn, Hanru Sirgel, Ruhan Straeuli, JC Pretorius, Raynard Roets, Etienne Oosthuizen, Ruan Smith, Jaco Visagie (capt), Corne Fourie. Bench: Morne Brandon, Morgan Naude, Conraad van Vuuren, Izan Esterhuizen, Travis Gordon, Johan Mulder, Gianni Lombard, Rynhardt Jonker/ Sibusiso Sangweni
Cheetahs: Tapiwa Mafura, Siba Xamlashe, Evardi Boshoff, Reinhardt Fortuin, Cohen Jasper, George Lourens, Ruan Pienaar, Jeandre Rudolph, Friedle Olivier, Gideon van der Merwe, Victor Sekekete (capt), Rynier Bernardo, Laurence Victor, Marnus van der Merwe, Schalk Ferreira. Bench: Louis van der Westhuizen, Alulutho Tshakweni, Hencus van Wyk, Carl Wegner, Daniel Maartens, Sibabalo Qoma, Rewan Kruger, Ali Mgijima
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