The Cell C Sharks head for the Northern Cape this weekend for a Sunday date with the Windhoek Draught Griquas in Kimberley in a round two Currie Cup clash with last year’s losing finalists.

Cell C Sharks Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo has had a wider squad available from which to select his team for Sunday’s game and has used the resources at his disposal for this important clash.

Although Griquas lost their first-round match (42-19 against Toyota Free State), they have always proved to be a tough nut to crack in Kimberley and the side selected demonstrates just how highly the Cell C Sharks coaching brains’ trust rate their opponents.

Following their first round 32-16 victory over NovaVit Griffons at Hollywoodbets Kings Park last Saturday, the Cell C Sharks have started their campaign on a winning note, taking a bonus point win out of their opening clash.

But Kimberley is a very different and inhospitable place to play – to the suffering of many a team who have arrived in the old mining town with confidence but leaving having learned a painful lesson – and the team Mongalo’s has selected reflects how much respect they have for Griquas, as well as the undeniable desire to bring back valuable log points.

In changes to last week’s side, Hanro Jacobs replaces Carlu Sadie at tighthead prop in the only change to the front row, but the coach has overhauled the rest of the pack, bringing back Sharks regulars Hyron Andrews and Reniel Hugo for Thembelani Bholi and Ockie Barnard in the second row.

There is also a familiar look about the loose-forward trio, James Venter, Dylan Richardson and Henco Venter replacing Tino Mavesere, Siya Ningiza and Celimpilo Gumede respectively.

There’s a new halfback pairing, Cameron Wright and Fred Zeilinga taking over from Zee Mkhabela and Lionel Cronje, while Marnus Potgieter has shifted to the wing in place of Anthony Volmink accommodating Francois Venter at inside centre, with captain Murray Koster shifting from 12 to 13.

The final change sees Thaakir Abrahams named at fullback, replacing the injured Nevaldo Fleurs.

Cell C Sharks
1. Khwezi Mona
2. Fez Mbatha
3. Hanro Jacobs
4. Hyron Andrews
5. Reniel Hugo
6. James Venter
7. Dylan Richardson
8. Henco Venter
9. Cameron Wright
10. Fred Zeilinga
11. Marnus Potgieter
12. Francois Venter
13. Murray Koster (c)
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Thaakir Abrahams

Replacements
16. Dan Jooste
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Khutha Mchunu
19. Athenkosi Khethani
20. Marco de Witt
21. Damon Royle
22. Bradley Davids
23. Lionel Cronje

Photo by Steve Haag Sports/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix