Sharks to 'set the record straight' against WP
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks host coastal rivals Western Province at Kings Park in an enticing Currie Cup derby clash on Sunday.
Head coach Joey Mongalo believes that the loss to Griquas must have a galvanising effect on his team looking to bounce back this weekend, and has full confidence that his team will use their disappointment as motivation against a very strong Province side.
“It was a tough week for us after that performance against Griquas because I thought we did very well in the first half of that game, so we’re obviously disappointed with how we dealt with it after halftime,” he explains.
With the challenges involved in competing in three simultaneous tournaments, there are going to be times when team selection follows the needs of the franchise and there will always be the goal of integration and cohesion.
“But weeks of adversity also have a way of bringing groups together, we don’t want adversity to divide us, but to bring us closer together and there are definitely guys in the group, especially those who played in the Griquas game, who will want to set the record straight.”
In regards to the changes, Yaw Penxe moves from wing to this Sunday’s fullback.
Phikolomzi Sobahle takes a spot at right wing. At scrumhalf, Bradley Davids gets promoted from the bench and replaces Cameron Wright.
In the pack, Thembelani Bholi is the new face in the loose trio as he joins Henco Venter and James Venter.
Corne Rahl comes in at lock and Khutha Mchunu will start at tighthead prop.
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Murray Koster (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Replacements: 16 Jason Alexander, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Marco Palvie, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Alwayno Visagie.
Date: Sunday, March 26
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Christopher Allison
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
*Photo credit: Sharks
