Cell C Sharks to face Highlanders

Feb 5 • General News, International, Super Rugby, Super Rugby Fixtures, Super Rugby News • 1290 Views • Comments Off on Cell C Sharks to face Highlanders

Date: Friday, 7 February 2020
Time: 19h05 (NZDT) 08h05 (CAT)
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, James Doleman
Television Match Official: Chris Hart

The Cell C Sharks team to take on the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in New Zealand’s southernmost Vodacom Super Rugby city on Friday morning is almost exactly the same as last week’s victorious side barring one exception.

Sadly, try-scoring wing Sbu Nkosi has a minor niggle and will miss this game, handing newly-recruited Madosh Tambwe a debut start for the Cell C Sharks.

Two players are also set to achieve personal milestones in this game in captain Lukhanyo Am, who is set to play his 50th Vodacom Super Rugby game for the Cell C Sharks (he already has 10 other Super Rugby caps for the Kings) and Craig Burden who will earn his 50th Vodacom Super Rugby cap, if he comes off the bench.

Head coach Sean Everitt admitted that the win over the Vodacom Bulls was important for the team to set the tone for the season, particularly before touring.

“It was a massive confidence booster,” he said of the 23-15 win at Jonsson Kings Park on Friday evening.

“It was good reward for the players who worked tirelessly over the course of the pre-season. They’ve been amazing so it’s good that they put in a good performance, even if there were some errors, both teams made them in the tough conditions. So we’re happy with how things went and it was great to get onto the plane with a win.”

Given the heat and humidity and the consequent difficult handling, playing in New Zealand represents the perfect opportunity at this time of year to play some exciting rugby without the risk posed in Durban during February.

“The guys are enjoying the conditions here,” said Everitt. “We play this match against the Highlanders under cover, so the conditions will suit us. I think the guys will find it refreshing although this first week is tough because we’ll have just one training session due to the travel. But we are happy with all the prep we did in pre-season, and the fact that the injury toll wasn’t serious outside of a minor niggle that Sbu has, is a big plus.”

Although Everitt admitted that the team’s win over the Vodacom Bulls had not been error-free, constant improvement and above all consistent performances was what they will be working towards this season.

“We’ve said before that this team needs to be more consistent, we’ve been criticised for that, so consistency is key. Going overseas for four weeks is tough, we know that, but this team has a vibe about it and they are really keen to take up the challenge.”

Cell C Sharks