Lwazi Mvovo
The loss of Odwa Ndungane last week is off-set by returning Springbok Lwazi Mvovo who has been released from the Springbok squad for the Cell C Sharks’ Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday (17:05 kick-off).
According to Sharks website editor, Michael Marnewick, he is one of a handful of changes in the backline, where a re-jigged back three and midfield change see plenty of pace introduced.
Paul Jordaan returns after a week’s rest and will partner last week’s debutant Andre Esterhuizen (and a try-scorer on debut) in a potentially very dangerous centre partnership that marries brute strength with pace and acceleration to burn.
Mvovo and S’bura Sithole will play on the wings with SP Marais completing the back three.
Amongst the forwards, the front row of Dale Chadwick, Kyle Cooper and Lourens Adriaanse remains unchanged, with Thomas du Toit not available due to a toe injury.
The loose trio of Jacques Botes, Etienne Oosthuizen and captain Tera Mtembu is also the same as last week. In the second row, JC Astle returns from injury after missing the last two matches and he will share the lock duties with Marco Wentzel. Stephan Lewies is unavailable after failing a fitness test due to re-current knee pain.
There is no underestimating the challenge that lies ahead for the Sharks who now enter the second round of cross-section derbies, starting with the ever-dangerous Blue Bulls, at home.
The Pretoria side started off slowly, losing their first two games by heavy margins (41-13 to the Lions and 41-17 to Western Province), but have found their feet in this year’s competition and now sit just two log points behind the Sharks, both sides having won three of their matches, with the Durban team’s two points for a draw last week proving the difference on the log.
“Loftus is always a tough place to go, but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” explains coach Brad MacLeod-Henderson. “We know the Blue Bulls have a big pack of forwards and a good kicking game, so we need to make sure that we match that and take our opportunities.
“They are enjoying a good run of form; they’ve always had a very formidable home record, so we know it’s going to be a huge challenge.”
Cell C Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 S’bura Sithole, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Tera Mtembu (Captain), 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 JC Astle, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Johan Meyer, 19 Khaya Majola, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Tim Swiel, 22 Tonderai Chavhanga.