Catch derby match between the coastal sides on Saturday

THE Cell C Sharks team which is set to play the DHL Stormers at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday for the Vodacom Super Rugby derby match between the coastal sides shows minimal changes to last week’s team.

Head coach Robert du Preez has selected Makazole Mapimpi in for Lwazi Mvovo on the wing while Cameron Wright replaces Louis Schreuder at scrumhalf in the two changes to the backline.

Daniel du Preez joins his twin Jean-Luc in the loose trio, taking over from Tera Mtembu at eighthman in the only change amongst the forwards.

Centre Lukhanyo Am admits that the Cell C Sharks team will look to turn matters around against the Stormers, following the loss to the Bulls last week.

“We’re looking to put a disappointing loss behind us, we tried to be positive this week and focused on what we need to do for the game against the Stormers.  Bouncing back, as the team showed after the Australian leg, will be the primary aim, to show what this team is capable of.

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“This game could be our season-changer, we’re looking to regain our confidence and consistency in this match. But there are no easy games and we’ll need to bring our A-game on Saturday.”

Although one might expect there to be added pressure with derby matches, Am explains that this isn’t necessarily the case. “Not really, we take it game for game, whether it’s home or away but it is always special playing at home.

Knowing what this team is capable of producing, as evidenced in the matches against the Blues and Hurricanes, gives confidence to the players, but replicating it is something that shouldn’t provide pressure; rather, motivation.

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“We don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves,” Am explained. “We know our standards and what we can do. But we are hard on ourselves when we don’t reach those standards.”

It’s no secret that putting the opposition under pressure with early points is going to be critical for victory.

“The first 20 minutes of the game is going to be vital, that’s what let us down against the Vodacom Bulls and when they scored those early tries, we were left chasing the game. Our focus this week is on having a good start.”
Cell C Sharks vs. DHL Stormers

The Team
15. Curwin Bosch
14. Sbu Nkosi
13. Lukhanyo Am
12. Andre Esterhuizen
11. Makazole Mapimpi
10. Robert du Preez
9. Cameron Wright
8. Daniel du Preez
7. Jean-Luc du Preez
6. Philip van der Walt
5. Stephan Lewies
4. Ruan Botha (c)
3. Thomas du Toit
2. Chiliboy Ralepelle
1. Juan Schoeman

Replacements
16. Akker van der Merwe
17. Mzamo Majola
18. Ross Geldenhuys
19. Tyler Paul
20. Jacques Vermeulen
21. Louis Schreuder
22. Marius Louw
23. Lwazi Mvovo

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