Bosch back for Sharks Italian showdown
Cell C Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch has returned to the
starting line-up for their United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton in
Treviso this Saturday.
Bosch comes into the starting XV in the place of Tito Bonilla who shifts to the bench while the only other change to the starting line-up is Ruben van Heerden coming in for the concussed Hyron Andrews.
Cameron Wright has come onto the bench as a replacement for the suspended Grant Williams.
Bosch impressed coach Sean Everitt in his performance off the bench against the Bulls and given the conditions that they expect and the game plan they expect from the Italian side, Everitt believes Bosch is primed for the fixture.
"Curwin has gone well in the last two weeks, and we saw when he came on against the Bulls he kicked to poles really well," Everitt said.
"The challenge coming for us is that Benetton have the fourth highest kicking metres in the competition, so it makes sense to go for a like-for-like and that is why Curwin gets a run.
"We haven't been as good as we would have liked with the accuracy of our pole kicking so Curwin will hopefully take away that inaccuracy."
Despite the kicking challenge that is going to come this weekend, Everitt knows that his side can't focus on that aspect only as the Rainbow Cup champions will provide threats in other areas too.
"The real challenge is going to be managing the game because Benetton rely a lot on their maul as a source of possession and a source to attack from so playing in the right areas of the field is vitally important."
Despite missing several players due to the ongoing Six Nations, Everitt believes the Benetton side poses a serious threat with a significant South African influence in their mix.
"They have got other international players and five South Africans in their squad. You look at Irna Herbst and Carl Wegner in the lock department and then Dewald Duvenage and Andries Coetzee at fullback and you add a Rhyno Smith; they are good players and on their day they can be some of the best players in South Africa.
"We'll get a lot of passion and emotion from the Italians on Saturday and having so many Springboks in our side it does put a target on our backs so it's going to be a challenge for us," Everitt added.
Kick-off is at 17:05 South African time.
Cell C Sharks v Benetton
1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Thomas du Toit (v/c), 4 Ruben van Heerden, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Henco Venter, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 10 Curwin Bosch, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Marius Louw, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 14 Sbu Nkosi, 15 Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements
16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Tito Bonilla, 23 Werner Kok.
