The Golden Lions, fresh off their second round win over the Blue Bulls to complete the double over their local rivals, await The Sharks at Ellis Park this Friday evening in a massive Absa Currie Cup clash.
The Lions are in third place, four points adrift of The Sharks and Western Province who occupy top and second spot respectively on the log, both on 24 points, and defeating The Sharks would greatly improve their chances of hosting a semi-final.
sharksrugby
There is plenty of motivation therefore for the home team. But so too for The Sharks who would not have relinquishing their number one log position as part of their goal for the weekend.
There are enforced changes to the team that defeated Free State last week; with Marcell Coetzee and Pieter-Steph du Toit called up to the Boks, Justin Downey and Stephan Lewies have been named as the only changes to last week’s side (the latter making his debut).
“Stephan Lewies from the Under 21s has been doing very well and coming into the match 22 at lock is great for him,” explains Sharks forwards coach Brad Macleod-Henderson. He’s a nice tall young man who has played well for the Under 21s both this year and last, and he has been one of the stars in 2013, so it’s fantastic for him to get the opportunity and show what he can do. He’s more an out and out number five lock, he’s quite athletic, has a nice frame on him so it will be great to see how he goes.
“The Lions done well this year and had a good run in the Currie Cup, they have a tough pack of forwards, some exciting backs and we’re playing at Ellis Park so it’s going to be a big challenge on Friday night.
“The same as every week.”
The Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (Captain), 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Justin Downey, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Peet Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Brynard Stander, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Butch James, 22 Jaco van Tonder.
I have plucked enough courage to venture into Doornfontein to watch this game as it has all the ingredients of a battle royal, Sharks have not won there in 4 years> Last time I watched the Lions play the Sharks at Ellis Park was 2011 final where my team were given a lesson in humility and what it meant to play for the jersey> Superbru points be dammed ( I am too far down the log for it to matter) so I will say Sharks by 3!