Rugby news from KwaZulu-Natal:
Time to Strike:
The Cell C Sharks Under 21’s will host their Leopards’ counterparts at JONSSON KINGS PARK on Friday afternoon hoping for a return to success in their SA Rugby Under 21 Championship return leg clash.
The Leopards earned their only victory of the tournament in the opening round, their home leg match against the Cell C Sharks Under 21s in Potchefstroom a month ago. Just one point separated the two teams in the Leopards’ 30-29 victory – their only one of the campaign.
But since then, they have failed to register another win in the tournament and currently prop up the six-team log with seven points.
A hugely disappointing 44-40 loss to Free State last week saw the Cell C Sharks Under 21’s swap places on the log with the team from Bloemfontein, although they have an opportunity to strike right back this weekend in a tough round of fixtures.
Head coach Mike Vowles has made a number of changes to the pack for this match, with Cullen van der Merwe back at hooker in place of Fez Mbatha and Francois Klopper replacing Cleo Kundiana at tighthead.
There is also a new lock pairing of Dylan Weideman (for Marcell Barnard) and Emile van Heerden, in for Jeandre Labuschagne who moves to flank with Evan Roos moving to eighth man which sees captain Adam Mountford shifting to flank for Dylan Richardson.
There is just one change to the backline, Muller du Plessis replacing Thaakir Abrahams at fullback.
The match kicks off at 2pm.
Cell C Sharks Under 21s
- Sean Barnes
- Cullen van der Merwe
- Francois Klopper
- Dylan Weideman
- Emile van Heerden
- Adam Mountford (c)
- Jeandre Labuschagne
- Evan Roos
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Boeta Chamberlain
- Caleb Dingaan
- Murray Koster
- Henk Cilliers
- Sicelo Thole
- Muller du Plessis
Replacements
- Donovan Grant
- Cole Haggard
- Tiaan de Jager
- Lunga Ncube
- Nsika Fisanti
- Xavier Swartbooi
- Le Roux Malan
- Asande Khunene
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Bouncing Back and Growing:
The Cell C Sharks showed incredible determination and character to bounce back after a demoralising first round loss to score a hugely pleasing 32-27 bonus point victory over Western Province at Jonsson KINGS PARK on Saturday.
Cell C Sharks Head coach Sean Everitt was proud of the way the team hit back, citing good growth in a campaign that is all about growing.
“First of all, congratulations to the team,” he said after the match. “I said last week [sitting in the same chair after the Griquas loss] that we needed a big bounce back against Province if we wanted a result and I think we got exactly that. That’s credit to the team and players, and their perseverance. They played with confidence and I can’t ask for anything more.
“We had a good week of preparation, I couldn’t have asked for better and for coaches, when the team prepares well, that’s how you play so I’m very pleased as far as that’s concerned.”
The rugby cliché that it all starts and ends upfront proved a spot-on pointer for this match where the Cell C Sharks pack more than held their own against the much-vaunted Province pack that gave the Blue Bulls a big working over in the first round match and which was always going to be a huge contest in this match.
“We worked hard on our set-piece in training,” Everitt explained. “Nick Easter and Etienne Fynn did a great job with the players, Nick with the lineouts and maul defence and Etienne looked after our scrumming because we knew there would a challenge after what they did to the Bulls the previous week.
“So I’m extremely happy. We all know that the set-piece is probably the most important thing in rugby and if it doesn’t function – both on attack and defence – you very rarely get the result.”
Defence was immense, another facet of play that the team can be understandably proud of their effort against a team that threw everything into attack but didn’t always get the reward.
“We asked the guys to show energy and they did,” said Everitt. “We mentioned the word growth and the team grew a lot in a week. The whole campaign is about growth for us as individuals, as a team and to grow the squad and the brand and certainly we’re very proud of what the boys have achieved in a short space of time.”
With Everitt having made just one change to the team that lost to Griquas, showing confidence in the players’ ability to bounce back, he admitted that it is vital that players are given the freedom to play, knowing their coach backs them.
“What’s really import is that we remove the fear from our rugby players in this country so that they’re able to express themselves and play what’s in front of them with confidence. I believe everyone deserves a second chance in life, so instead of making any changes when everyone was poor against Griquas, I decided to stick with the same match 23.”
Although the Cell C Sharks have a bye this weekend, Everitt said that there would be minimal time off.
“We have a bye which gives us another week of preparation – there won’t be much of a break – because we know that if we slip up again, it will make it extremely difficult to get a home semi-final.
“We won’t take our foot off the gas, our theme is growth and that’s what we want to do.”
The Cell C Sharks will be heading up to Mpumalanga next Friday for a clash with the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium in a third round match.
“The Pumas are a formidable team, especially at home and they play with a lot of passion,” Everitt explained. “Like Griquas, they’ve been together for six months, there’s a lot of spirit in the side and they play for each other. But we’ve grown as well and we’re looking forward to the battle although we certainly won’t be underestimating them.”
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CLUB RUGBY FOR CHARITY, RUGBY 4 ALMA:
This past Saturday Land Rover Durban Hillcrest Villagers held a charity day up at Kearsney College to raise funds for 16 year old Alma van Heerden.
Alma has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia, through her medical condition the family has been in desperate need of financial assistance as a result of mounting medical bills, many of which are in arrears which resulted in delays of her necessary treatment/medication.
Alma dad Hannes Van Heerden has been a Toti stalwart, playing for the Toti terrors for over 15 years and accumulating in excess of 150 caps for Amanzimtoti and when the news broke out of his little angel Alma plight and predicament the family are in, it is his Rugby family that step in to assist in ensuring Alma gets all the medical treatment required and the emotional support to the family.
The Charity match saw Toti Old Crocks taking on Villagers old Boys , the game was played in a fantastic spirit but with a real edge as old rivalries was ignited again, it was amazing to see these old bodies a lot of them in their late thirties and early forties got stuck into each other at the break down , Toti got of the blocks quickest and led 14 nil at the half time break , Hillcrest Villagers with skipper Badenhorst at the Helm and the ever green Brian Lewis clawed their way back and the game ended 14 All .
Ultimately the real winner was little Alma, the young lass that epitomize the “Warrior Spirit “, the day racked up in excess of R 100 000, that will go towards Alma medical wellbeing.
Congratulations to Hillcrest Villagers and All those that made this day a success, the KZNRU supports such events.
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Why gun Pumas captain wants to play for the Waratahs
