The Hollywoodbets Sharks have selected an exciting team for Friday evening’s Round 14 Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Glasgow Warriors.
Over the last month, many of the stalwarts have had to carry a hugely physical load and now get the opportunity to rest up, or in this case, play a shortened (but still vital) role off the bench.
Sharks assistant coach Dave Williams explained from the team’s base that, “Whichever team is put out, the expectation is always the same: to deliver a performance in the Sharks way. With the workload some of the guys have endured, this was an opportunity for us to freshen the squad up, whilst still demanding the same performance and building on that confidence”.
Francois Venter leads a side that despite the many changes, still brings a vast amount of experience and the competition for places that has been spoken about will certainly provide motivation for the players who have been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the exceptional form and momentum the Sharks have achieved over the last few weeks.
“The team’s success comes down to consistency, availability of our full roster, and that combined with time spent together and a continued belief in what we’re doing has resulted in some good performances,” Williams explained.
After a difficult start to the campaign, the ship is sailing steadily and the team is in a good mental space.
“Confidence does a lot for the team, the spirit coming in on a Monday is high, it brings belief and the confidence to carry out the plan on the field.
“We now have a great challenge against Glasgow, they’re unbeaten at home this season so a real challenge for the guys to build a performance and gain a win away from home.”
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith said: “The Sharks will pose a significant test tomorrow night and we know that we will have to perform well to get the right result. They have a squad filled with powerful forwards and dangerous backs and they have the potential to cause problems from anywhere on the field. We have worked hard all week in preparation for this match, as we also look to celebrate the work of the inspirational team at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity at Scotstoun tomorrow night.”
Sharks starting XV: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Francois Venter (capt), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi; 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams; 8 Nick Hatton*, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl; 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Ethan Hooker
Glasgow Warriors starting XV: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn (capt), 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Facundo Cordero; 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne; 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Matt Fagerson; 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Max Williamson; 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Nathan McBeth. Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Oli Kebble**, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Thomas Gordon, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23Ross Thompson
* Debut
** 100th appearance for the Warriors
Additional reporting URC Media
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