Sharks pick Mvovo ahead of Bosch for Lions
Updated | By Gareth Jenkinson
Springbok wing Lwazi Mvovo will start at fullback in the Cell C Sharks' final home game of the Super Rugby season.
The veteran back returned to fitness ahead of the final round robin match of the competition and the Sharks coaching staff have selected him ahead of Junior Springbok star Curwin Bosch. The latter will provide fullback and flyhalf cover off the bench.
For continuity’s sake, Garth April starts at flyhalf once again, while Lukhanyo Am returns to the starting lineup at outside centre – having finally recovered from a fractured cheekbone.
Kobus van Wyk also returns to fitness and slots in on the right wing, while Jean-Luc du Preez replaces Tera Mtembu at blindside flank. Chiliboy Ralepele starts at hooker with Franco Marais still out of action.
Coach Rob du Preez seemed confident that his starting XV will be able to stand up to the form South African side in the competition.
“We feel that every time Lwazi has played fullback for us he’s really done well. He brings a lot of security for us at the back and he’s a very good attacking fullback, as he proved while playing for the SA A side,” the coach said.
“Garth has done well for us at 10 and we also wanted some continuity in that position.”
The quality of the Sharks backline is mirrored by the forward pack – even without Springbok loosehead Beast Mtawarira. The burly Bok is still struggling with a neck injury and wasn’t considered for this clash.
Meanwhile Du Preez has gone with his strongest possible loose trio for the clash. Philip van der Walt will be tasked with containing Jaco Kriel on the openside, Jean-Luc du Preez certainly has some size on Lions blindside and Blitzbok star Kwagga Smith while his twin brother Daniel will look to outplay Ruan Ackermann.
“Phil, Dan and Jean-Luc have done well for us this year and we are certainly going to need that power and strength on Saturday,” Du Preez said.
The Sharks will be looking to right the wrongs of the past earlier in the season, where a couple of decisions cost them victory over the Lions at Ellis Park. It certainly seems to be sitting in the Sharks memory and Du Preez wants to finish off what was a good performance in Johannesburg.
“We felt very unlucky not having won that game. We did play well; hopefully we can have a repeat performance except with a win at the end.”
What remains to be seen is how the Sharks will go about dismantling what is a very strong Lions team. The visitors have a unique attacking style, and a ferocious pack of forwards, which will test the Sharks in every way. Du Preez says they have to be clinical if they want a win.
“We have to be really accurate with our set pieces and then we have to put their key players under pressure. They are team that will take any opportunity they’re given so we need to be very accurate on defence as well,” Du Preez said.
“We will take our opportunities when they present themselves. The disappointing thing about that Bulls game was that every time we took the ball wide we went over the advantage line. Then we lost the ball out on the edge – we can’t afford that on Saturday.”
Sharks team (15-1):
Lwazi Mvovo, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Sbu Nkosi, Garth April, Cobus Reinach, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Philip van der Walt, Stephan Lewies, Etienne Oosthuizen, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: Stephan Coetzee, Juan Schoeman, Lourens Adriaanse, Jean Droste, Tera Mtembu, Michael Claassens, Curwin Bosch, Jeremy Ward.
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