Sharks replace injured Van der Walt
The Cell C Sharks have made one injury-enforced change to their starting line-up for their clash with the Lions this weekend.
The team named to take on the Lions shows little change from two weeks ago, in the Cell C Sharks last match, as they prepare for the confident Lions at Growthpoint Kings Park in their Super Rugby clash.
The teams are in pretty similar states right now, both suffering narrow losses to the Crusaders in their respective previous outings, both enjoying continuity and a decent success rate, with both enjoying confidence from a number of away wins in the early stages of the competition.
Cell C Shark Director of Rugby Gary Gold is in the fortunate position of being able to name an almost unchanged line-up from previous weeks, with only one change to the starting XV from the team he named against the Crusaders.
Philip van der Walt who suffered a neck injury in that last match is not yet ready to resume playing, and in his place comes Daniel du Preez at eighthman. Keegan Daniel takes du Preez’s place on the bench in the final change.
The Lions, two points behind the Cell C Sharks who have 16, trail the Durban side in second spot on the Africa 2 Conference and will be relishing the opportunity to leap-frog their hosts into top spot.
For the Cell C Sharks, this is the ideal time to show their capabilities and to combine one of the most effective defensive outfits with the attacking prowess they have shown this season, one they’re looking to refine as the tournament progresses.
Of the six South African teams, the Lions have scored the most points (and tries) to underline their attacking mindset, but their points difference of only +9, compared to the Cell C Sharks’ +39 is a statistic the home side will hope to exploit on Saturday (5pm) when the two teams meet.
Sharks team (15-1): Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Paul Jordaan, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Joe Pietersen, Cobus Reinach, Daniel du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Marcell Coetzee, Stephan Lewies, Etienne Oosthuizen, Coenie Oosthuizen, Franco Marais, Tendai Mtawarira (captain).
Replacements: Kyle Cooper, Juan Schoeman, Lourens Adriaanse, Hyron Andrews, Keegan Daniel, Michael Claassens, Garth April, Odwa Ndungane.
(File Photo: Andre Bloem)
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