The Cell C Sharks team to face Harlequins at the Stoop, in the final pool match of the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday, was announced today.
(more…)The Cell C Sharks team to face Harlequins at the Stoop, in the final pool match of the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday, was announced today.
(more…)The Cell C Sharks has named a strong 28-man touring squad, who will travel tonight to London for their Heineken Champions Cup last pool match against Harlequins on Saturday.
(more…)So if you’re like me and a bit confused and concerned, as to how the rest of the Cell C Sharks season in the Heineken Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship might play out, here is a bit more information of the Heineken Champions Cup play-offs, as well as United Rugby Championship log and next two months games.
(more…)The Cell C Sharks to face Bordeaux Bègles on Saturday is probably the strongest side they could have selected from the available players.
(more…)Due to the Sharks crazy travel schedule (was this not supposed to be better than Super Rugby?) Neil Powell has decided to keep most of his first choice players at home to prepare for the home game against Bordeaux. The team that will face Connacht has a sprinkling of A level players like Ntuthuko Mchunu, Carlü Sadie, Henco Venter, Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Grant Williams but also includes 3 debutantes on the bench as well as a number of players who has not played for a while.
(more…)The Cell C Sharks confirmed today that Sprinbok skipper Siya Kolisi was granted an early release from his contract, to join French club Racing 92 after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
(more…)The Cell C Sharks last game for 2022 is against the Vodacom Bulls at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
The Sharks team will go into the game with some confidence as they won their last four games across the URC and the Heineken Champions Cup, but that will count for little when they face a strong and well coached Bulls side.
Neil Powell has rested a number of players for the home game against the Lions – Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Francois Venter. Siya Kolisi and Ben Tapuai will feature from the bench.
(more…)The Sharks will welcome back Lukhanyo Am for their away game against Bordeaux. Neil Powell has selected mostly the same starting team with Ntuthuko Mchunu in for Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit replacing Carlu Sadie (who drops out completely). Dian Bleuer and Hanro Jacobs will get another opportunity from the bench.
The Sharks need to improve on the good work from their last game, and focus on retaining the ball for longer as well as keeping their shape on attack after a number of phases. With the same back line selected we should expect to see an improvement in first phase moves as well.
(more…)Big guns Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi have been selected to face Harlequins in the Sharks’ first Champions Cup game. Vincent Tshituka moves back to blindside flank while Werner Kok is back on the wing.
The Sharks really need to focus on keeping the ball in contact (no point making meters with the ball just to cough it up at the final tackle / ruck) and finding some continuity on attack (players need to work a lot harder to get into positions after 2nd / 3rd phases).
The bookies have the Sharks as slight favourites. With the best rugby player in the world (regardless of what WR says) and the inspirational Bok captain on the field the Sharks may just have a decent chance of winning this one.
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Carlu Sadie
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Francois Venter
14. Werner Kok
15. Boeta Chamberlain
Replacements
16. Dan Jooste
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Khutha Mchunu
19. Hyron Andrews
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Grant Williams
22. Lionel Cronje
23. Rohan Janse van Rensburg