Sharks recall Kolisi among few changes for Lions clash

After a number of matches against foreign opposition in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, it’s time for local action when the Cell C Sharks host the Emirates Lions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on Saturday afternoon.

Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt once more had the good fortune to retain pretty much the same side that defeated the Dragons 51-3 in Durban last weekend with a couple of rotational changes thrown in to keep everyone fresh and hungry.

Lock Reniel Hugo returns to the starting line-up with Le Roux Roets shifting to the bench, while Springbok captain Siya Kolisi (flank) returns in place of James Venter, who led the Carling Currie Cup side to victory over Windhoek Draught Griquas on Wednesday evening.

The final change to the pack sees Henco Venter (flank) coming in for Jeandre Labushagne, who will feature off the bench later in the game. Thomas du Toit retains the captaincy.

With eight wins and 41 points from their 14 matches to date, the Cell C Sharks are firmly entrenched in the top eight on the log, 11 points ahead of the Emirates Lions who currently occupy 12th spot.

For the Cell C Sharks, the last few rounds – and this game in particular – will be about continuity and performance, and the results that come from that.

“Last week’s win over the Dragons was a really good platform for us to build on and now it’s about us building momentum,” explained Everitt.

The South African sides all have a game in hand over the top five sides on the log, so a win on Saturday for the Cell C Sharks will give their campaign a major boost.

“The log is really important at the moment and a win this week will be big for us because the other two local franchises are also playing each other and we’re fighting in the SA Shield competition.”

Cell C Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.

Cell C Sharks Vodacom United Rugby Championship Emirates Lions Reniel Hugo Sean Everitt Siya Kolisi Henco Venter

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