Sharks name side for crucial Cheetahs Currie Cup clash

The Sharks have named their team to play in Saturday’s Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs which has effectively become a quarter final match.

The Currie Cup does not have a quarter final stage but the match is effectively a knockout game for both sides who need to win to finish in the top four.

The winner of this match will go through to the Currie Cup semi-finals, while the loser will be eliminated from the play offs.

“This match is effectively a knock-out quarter-final with everything to play for,” said assistant coach Ryan Strudwick.

A draw last weekend dented Free State’s hopes of shutting out the Sharks, but now leaving the door wide open for the resurgent Durban side who come off the back of a morale-boosting five pointer.

With so much at stake, this match is sure to be be a hugely exciting clash in the final pool match of the tournament.

“Free State will be tough, we know their threats, they like to throw the ball around and they’ll come at us. And like us, they need to win, they’ve had a pretty similar season to us and it will be a very tough challenge, especially going up to Bloemfontein.”

Last week’s match in Kimberley provided the ideal preparation for this match. Not only in terms of the result, but also the conditions which should not be too far removed from what they can expect in Bloemfontein.

“The heat and altitude should be similar to what we faced up in Kimberley last weekend and we had a good outing there, although it’s always a big challenge going to Free State.”

“With everything at stake, they’ll definitely bring their ‘A’ game this weekend.”

Sharks

15. Garth April, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. S’bura Sithole, 10. Joe Pietersen, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Philip van der Walt, 7. Etienne Oosthuizen, 6. Francois Kleinhans, 5. Marco Wentzel (Captain), 4. David McDuling, 3. Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2. Franco Marais, 1. Thomas du Toit

Replacements: 16. Monde Hadebe, 17. Mzamo Majola, 18. Christiaan de Bruin, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Michael Claassens, 21. Heimar Williams, 22. Waylon Murray