Sharks bulk up with URC stars for WP clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: In the final round of the pool stages of Currie Cup 2022, the Sharks will travel to Cape Town to take on Western Province on Friday, with added motivation and fire-power.
Head coach Etienne Fynn has made a number of changes to the side, bolstering the match 23 with United Rugby Championship players available for this vital match as the fight for log positions reaches an exciting finale.
The Sharks must win, and win well against a side that has won just twice in 11 outings. Like the Lions in the last couple of weeks, Province will throw everything into this match, knowing that there is little else but pride to play for.
Fynn has brought in hooker Kerron van Vuuren, tighthead prop Khutha Mchunu, lock Le Roux Roets, eighthman Sikhumbuzo Notshe, scrumhalf Cameron Wright, flyhalf Curwin Bosch and wing Werner Kok to add experience to a young Currie Cup team that knows just how important this final pool clash is.
With five debutants involved in last week’s penultimate match, Fynn admitted that the excitement they brought was impressive against a strong Lions team.
“We played the Lions URC team, and while it was not a faultless performance, it was certainly a committed one, from which we took two valuable log points, with everything to play for against Western Province.
“All our preparation has been done for Friday’s game, now it’s all about execution.”
Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Murray Koster, 11 Werner Kock, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Celimpilo Gumede, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Kwezi Mona, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 OJ Noa, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Ben Tapuai.
Date: Friday, June 10
Venue: Danie Craven, Stellenbosch
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira, Local
TMO: Egon Seconds