Michael Claassens
Head coach Gary Gold has made changes to the Cell C Sharks side to take on the Xerox Golden Lions this Saturday at Growthpoint Kings Park, as he looks to overcome one of the form sides this year.
Unbeaten, with maximum Log points and riding a wave of confidence and continuity, the Golden Lions make a strong argument as possible title contenders, something not lost on Gold who warns that his charges will have it tough this weekend.
Paul Jordaan and André Esterhuizen form a youthful but exciting new centre partnership for this week’s match, while S’bura Sithole is welcomed back into the fray, slotting in on the wing.
The hugely experienced Michael Claassens gets his 1st start of the campaign, as does Francois Kleinhans, who comes in for the injured Jean Deysel.
Up front, Dale Chadwick returns from injury, replacing Juan Schoeman in the final change with Lourens Adriaanse, Khaya Majola and Kyle Cooper not considered due to injury.
“Attacking rugby is in the Lions’ DNA and we have to improve our defence,” Gold admits.
“The talk this week has been about an immense improvement for this weekend against the Lions and we know we are going to have to pitch up physically against the Lions.”
It is also the chance to lay down a marker, both to their opposition in the competition as well as for themselves, as well as making a defining statement.
“The Lions at Growthpoint Kings Park is a really good opportunity for us to step up to the plate.
“A really good performance and hopefully a victory out of that would definitely give us a lot of confidence going forward. It will give us some confidence to know we can compete with what I believe are the bookies’ favourites in this competition – and quite rightly should be. They had a fantastic Super Rugby competition, they’re a very settled squad and they’re playing great rugby.”
Cell C Sharks: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan , 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 S’bura Sithole, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Dan du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (Captain), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Dale Chadwick
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 18 David McDuling, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Stefan Ungerer, 21 Wandile Mjekevu, 22 SP Marais.
Date: Saturday 22 August
Venue: Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Kick-Off: 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT)
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant Referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Marius Jonker