Sharks out to start on the right foot

Sharks out to start on the right foot

After starting 2020 with a bang, that’s all forgotten tonight when the Cell C Sharks return to action against the Lions at Jonsson Kings Park in the all-new Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked competition.

CurwinBosch_Sharks_AFP
AFP

Despite being the form team of the Super Rugby campaign that came to an abrupt end in March, the Sharks will have to realign themselves for the new domestic competition that includes all the Super Rugby franchises and the Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas.

The Sharks announced their side for the competition opener on Thursday that will see a number of new faces from the side that lost just one of their opening seven games of Super Rugby earlier this year.

Amongst the newcomers are the two livewire outside backs Manie Libbock and Werner Kok who joined the side during lockdown with the former making use of the transfer window that was set up for players during the lockdown.

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The forward pack is fairly settled and includes a starting eight that all featured during the Super Rugby campaign.

The changes come in the backline where a settled halfback combination between Sanele Nohamba and Curwin Bosch and experienced centres Marius Louw and captain Lukhanyo Am will have to help steer the two newcomers in the back three.

Libbock and Kok both featured for the Sharks in their friendly against the Bulls two weeks ago and will look to Sharks legend JP Pietersen for assistance in the system.

There are three players on the bench that will be in line for debuts on Friday. Newcomer to the union Dan Jooste will play back-up to Dylan Richardson while impressive Mpilo Gumede and speedster Thaakir Abrahams are all on the bench.

The Lions have been in limbo since the loss of coach Johan Ackerman a few seasons ago. They have battled to reignite that form that saw them play in consecutive Super Rugby finals.

Coach Ivan van Rooyen will be hoping that the time away from the game has helped him in putting his stamp on the side and see them play a brand of rugby that suits the squad that he has.

With that said the Sharks should be too strong for the Lions and should win the game by ten to fifteen points.

Kick off at Jonsson Kings Park is at 19:00.

Cell C Sharks Starting XV

15 Manie Libbok*, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Werner Kok*, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements

16 Dan Jooste*, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Mpilo Gumede*, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Thaakir Abrahams*.

*Denotes debut for the Cell C Sharks

Lions Starting XV

15 EW Viljoen, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Sibahle Maxwane, 10 Elton Jantjies (c), 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements

16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 MJ Pelser, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 Gianni Lombard, 24 Wandisile Simelane, 25 Ruan Dreyer.

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