Majola gets his Shark start

 

With three matches of the cross-section pool stages of the Currie Cup remaining, the Sharks are well-aware of maintaining focus and keeping the continuity going this weekend against the Eastern Province Kings.

 

The coastal team from Port Elizabeth will come to Kings Park on Saturday with a plan to disrupt the home team’s composure, this after a sound, 80 minute performance from the Sharks against the Blue Bulls last week.

 

They kept up the pressure and executed well in that match to run out worthy 26-15 victors, and will want to deliver a similar display of attitude and execution when they host EP.

 

The situation this year is no different to every year when the Sharks lose a number of their players to the Springbok cause in the Rugby Championship.

 

A new-look team with many debutants is expected to gel from day one and produce tournament winning performances each week.

 

Of course, the reality is much different. This year there have been 14 players featuring in their first Currie Cup tournament for the Sharks.

 

While there was a strong start with three consecutive wins, the following three matches did not produce the results they wanted.

 

But a strong second half performance against the Cheetahs was followed up by last week’s victory over the Bulls, with the strong desire that Saturday’s game will be another step up in that direction.

 

The good news is the return of Stephan Lewies who has been passed fit and named on the bench.

 

The Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Sibusiso Sithole, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Tera Mtembu (Captain), 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 JC Astle, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Stephan Lewies, 19 Johan Meyer, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Tim Swiel, 22 Tonderai Chavhanga.

 

Date: Saturday, September 27

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)

Referee: Ben Crouse 

Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Eduan Nel

TMO: Johan Greeff