Cell C Sharks vs Vodacom Bulls
| Date: | Saturday, 30 March 2019 |
| Time: | 15h05 |
| Venue: | JONSSON KINGS PARK, DURBAN |
| Referee: | Mike Fraser |
| Assistant Referees: | Brendon Pickerill, Rasta Rasivhenge |
| Television Match Official: | Christie du Preez |
Craig Burden is poised to make his return to Vodacom Super Rugby action after leaving the Cell C Sharks in 2013, having been named on the bench for Saturday’s showdown with the Vodacom Bulls at JONSSON KINGS PARK.
The burly hooker who started his career as a centre, played for the Cell C Sharks between 2006 and 2013 before embarking on a five-year career in France, representing Toulon, Montpellier and Stade Français.
Head coach Robert du Preez has made just two changes to the starting line-up this week, Luke Stringer replacing Phepsi Buthelezi at flank and Lwazi Mvovo coming onto the wing in place of Sbu Nkosi. There is also a first call-up for Philip van der Walt who returned from Japan with an injury but is now back to full fitness and will join Burden in making an impact off the bench.
Stalwart prop, Beast Mtawarira stands on the cusp of making history as this week he equals retired Adriaan Strauss’s record for being the most capped South African Vodacom Super Rugby player. After this match, the pair would have both featured in 156 appearances in the competition. Strauss represented the Cheetahs and then Vodacom Bulls, but Mtawarira has accomplished this record for just one team, the Cell C Sharks since making his debut in 2007 and will break the record South African record in his next appearance after this Saturday.
Reflecting on the Cell C Sharks’ victory over the Rebels last week, flank Jacques Vermeulen explains: “It was a full team performance last week, with the forwards and backs combining well together and that meant we played much better than the previous match.”
He admits that Saturday’s clash is going to require great patience if the team want to replicate last week’s success and put behind them the previous loss to the Vodacom Bulls.
“One of our strongest points as a team is when we hold on to the ball, but it’s something that frustrates us when we don’t, so it’s definitely something we’ll focus on this weekend. If we’re able to keep the ball and play in the right places on the field, we will be dangerous.”
In other words, continuing where his team left off in the second half against the Rebels when they pressured the mistakes, attacked with purpose and kept the opposition scoreless.
We didn’t quite have things go our own way in the previous match against the Vodacom Bulls, Handre Pollard’s boot, together with pressure defence from his team-mates, kept the Cell C Sharks pinned back which is something they will look to avoid this time round.
“They look to frustrate you in your own half, it’s going to be a territory-based match this weekend,” he explains. “That’s going to be a massive part of the game.”
After winning the first-round clash 37-14, some pundits might be tempted to back the Vodacom Bulls to win again. But they’re coming off a demoralising loss while the Cell C Sharks have a morale-boosting win.
“The Vodacom Bulls will come to JONSSON KINGS PARK looking to resurrect their campaign after last week, but we pride ourselves on our efforts to win every home game. This is a big game for us. Every team wants to make their home ground a fortress; it’s important for us to win this weekend.”
Cell C Sharks
15. Aphelele Fassi
14. Lwazi Mvovo
13. Lukhanyo Am
12. Andre Esterhuizen
11. Makazole Mapimpi
10. Robert du Preez
9. Louis Schreuder (c)
8. Daniel du Preez
7. Jacques Vermeulen
6. Luke Stringer
5. Hyron Andrews
4. Ruben van Heerden
3. Coenie Oosthuizen
2. Akker van der Merwe
1. Tendai Mtawarira**
Replacements
16. Craig Burden
17. Thomas du Toit
18. Khutha Mchunu
19. Gideon Koegelenberg
20. Philip van der Walt
21. Grant Williams
22. Kobus van Wyk
23. Curwin Bosch
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