Changes aplenty as Sharks gear up for Griquas
Sharks coach Robert du Preez has made a number of changes to his starting XV for a challenging clash away from home against the Griquas this weekend.
The shortened format of the Currie Cup has made things interesting, as a number of permutations could take shape this weekend in the final round of action before the semi-finals.
The Sharks will be looking no further than grabbing a win over the Griquas in their own back yard, but they’ll be praying that the Bulls can do them a favour in the hopes of securing a home semi-final.
The Pretoria side need to beat Western Province and deny
them any log points for the Sharks to host the knockout fixture next week.
Conversely, the Bulls can leapfrog the Sharks on the Currie Cup table if they
beat the log leaders provided that the Durban side lose to the Griquas.
Interesting changes
Having lost to Western Province a fortnight ago, the Sharks
are back in action after a bye week and will be hoping to shake off the rust
going into the business end of the competition. Saturday’s clash is effectively
a quarterfinal with the current log jam, and coach Rob du Preez has tweaked his
side to that end.
Upfront, Springbok tighthead Coenie Oosthuizen makes his first start this season having returned to action off the bench in the Sharks’ last two fixtures. Next to him, Akker van der Merwe also gets a start at hooker, in a rotational change with Chiliboy Ralepelle.
That change sees scrumhalf Louis Schreuder take over the captaincy. He also has a change in his half-back pairing, as Curwin Bosch starts at flyhalf this weekend.
Rob du Preez Jr moves from 10 to 12, while Marius Louw should provide plenty of impact off the bench.
Sbu Nkosi is also back from the Springbok setup and starts on the right wing, while promising youngster Aphelele Fassi gets another start at fullback.
Jean-Luc du Preez has finally recovered from injury and takes his place on the bench alongside 19-year-old lock JJ van der Mescht who has been called up to the senior side for this clash.
Sharks team (15-1):
Aphelele Fassi, Sbu Nkosi, Jeremy Ward, Robert du Preez, Lwazi Mvovo, Curwin Bosch, Louis Schreuder ©, Daniel du Preez, Tyler Paul, Jacques Vermeulen, Hyron Andrews, Gideon Koegelenberg, Coenie Oosthuizen, Akker van der Merwe, Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Thomas du Toit, JJ van der Mescht, Jean-Luc
du Preez, Grant Williams, Marius Louw, Kobus van Wyk.