Sharks train their big guns on high-flying Pumas

The Sharks have named a strong squad to face the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday 12 May.

Having been eliminated from the URC playoffs, the Sharks are free to bring their star power to bear in the Currie Cup.

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SHARKS BREAK OUT THE BIG GUNS

Likening the big games in this tournament to the demands and intensity of test matches, Cell C Sharks Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo admits that, “This is our third test match, the first was Free State away, the second was last week against the Bulls, also away, and fortunately we passed those two tests. But this one is going to be just as tough, if not tougher than the others.

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“The Pumas are a very good side that led the log for a long time, they’re one of the top teams in the tournament and we mustn’t forget that they’re the reigning champions. They’ve had a lot of good victories in the Currie Cup so they’re a force to be reckoned with, one that we have to take as seriously as every other test match game we’ve played.

“It’s going to be physical, the dew factor and humidity will definitely play a role in how we play and how the game unfolds. I have a lot of respect for Jimmy Stonehouse who coached me at Craven Week level in 2002, for the career he has built and the important figure he is in South African rugby.”

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COHESION THE KEY

Casting his eye over what he is looking for from his team, he points out that, “For us, it’s about more of the same. More cohesion, more connection, and it feels like we’re getting that and building momentum,” the Sharks coach said.

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“We’ve said to the players that pride comes before a fall and our biggest enemy this week is dropping standards because we’re getting the results. We need to stay humble, keep ticking the boxes and don’t allow any complacency to slip in to anything we do this weekend,” the Sharks Currie Cup head honcho added.

“But we’re looking forward to the trip and to maintaining the momentum we’ve built up over the last few weeks.”

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SHARKS STARTING XV

1. Khwezi Mona

2. Fez Mbatha

3. Khutha Mchunu

4. Corne Rahl

5. Reniel Hugo (c)

6. James Venter

7. Jeandre Labuschagne

8. Henco Venter

9. Tiaan Fourie

10. Lionel Cronje

11. Aphelele Fassi

12. Murray Koster

13. Josh Jonas

14. Yaw Penxe

15. Nevaldo Fleurs

 SHARKS REPLACEMENTS

16. Dan Jooste

17. Dian Bleuler

18. Hanro Jacobs

19. Marco de Witt

20. Dylan Richardson

21. Celimphilo Gumede

22. Bradley Davids

23. Marnus Potgieter