Vowles forced into Sharks shuffle for Griquas trip
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks XV are on the road for the fourth and final time this Friday when they travel to Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley to take on Griquas in Round Five of the Currie Cup.
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With matches on Saturday and the All Blacks on Tuesday evening using up much of the player resources available, head coach Mike Vowles has had his hands full juggling his team and managing player workload, given that some were involved in the Currie Cup win over the Sanlam Kavaliers as well as the New Zealand national side.
“We’re back on the road on Friday afternoon, so it’s a quick turnaround for us, and there are a lot of moving parts for us this week, so we’ll prepare well, ice a few sore bodies and go to Kimberley fully prepared to fight for the full 80,” Vowles explained.
Vowles has been forced to make changes across the board, given the workload his players have faced in the last couple of weeks, particularly in Tuesday evening’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash with the All Blacks.
Sharks XV: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Lyle Matthews, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude (captain), 8 Hanu Pieterse, 7 Wasi Vyambwera, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Meno Barnard, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Jaco du Toit
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Danio Botha, 20 Sphephelo Mbonambi, 21 Juan Loots, 22 Janco Purchase, 23 Chijindu Okonta
Date: Friday, August 14
Venue: Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Kick-off: 17.05 SAST (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Jonathan Lottering
TMO: Quinton Immelman
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