Venter to lead Sharks against his former team
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks’ Currie Cup campaign shifts to Johannesburg when they take on the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday following a two-week break.
After two wins and in particular, a really commanding victory over the Western Province a fortnight back, the team is building a good head of steam at this early stage of the competition and will hope to continue the momentum this week.
The Lions lost 36-48 to Western Province in the opening round before suffering a 9-50 defeat to the Pumas in their second match and with just one log point, prop up the Currie Cup table in the seventh position.
Their team has been bolstered by URC players and they will not want to slip up a for a third consecutive game and face the prospect of playing catch-up over the remainder of the tournament.
Likewise, the Sharks will look to continue the momentum they have been building and this means executing and executing well.
The opportunities afforded to eighth man Sikhumbuzo Notshe, flyhalf Curwin Bosch and centre Marius Louw at URC level has opened the door for the likes of Thembelani Bholi and Murray Koster to get starts this weekend.
The opportunities for players to move up to the URC squad also has a positive knock-on effect for promising youngsters to get a chance at Currie Cup level, with young Bradley Davids, the 2021 SA Under 20 player, getting a call-up into the senior ranks.
The captain’s armband has been handed to flank James Venter.
The loose forward will lead the Durban side against his former side.
#ICYMI: There could be a new No.1 at the top of the @TheCurrieCup table after this weekend.
💢 @SharksRugby or @CheetahsRugby battle for No.1
💢 @WP_RUGBY to face @GriquasRugby #rugby #CurrieCup #LIOvSHA #GRIvWP #PUMvCHE #predictions https://t.co/FpeagGQUXn— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) February 18, 2022
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter (Captain), 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 OJ Noa, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Inny Radebe, 23 Bradley Davids
Date: Saturday, February 19
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Local
TMO: Marius Jonker
