The Cell C Sharks team to take on Benetton in this pivotal Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday is virtually unchanged from last week’s side.
The Springbok Sevens conceded valuable ground to their opponents in the race to automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games with their joint-12th placed-finish at the HSBC Singapore Sevens on Sunday, but more disappointing was the fact that they could not sustain the good effort from Hong Kong last weekend.
The South African challenge in their inaugural season of playing in the top European competitions came to an end on Saturday when the Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and Emirates Lions all lost in the quarter-finals of their respective series.
Blitzboks coach Sandile Ngcobo has plenty to ponder as they head into Singapore for yet another weekend of unpredictability.
The Cell C Sharks host the Airlink Pumas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park for a Good Friday Currie Cup fixture looking to bounce back to winning ways this weekend.
The Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and Emirates Lions will have everything to play for when they take the field in the European quarter-finals on Saturday in their inaugural season in the respective competitions.
SA Rugby president Mr Mark Alexander has paid tribute to former Springbok coach and selector Ian McIntosh, who sadly passed away on Wednesday morning after a battle with cancer, at the age of 84.
His early days as a Blitzbok were a breeze for Shaun Williams. In fact, the former Garsfontein High School learner and University of Johannesburg graduate would have been excused if he thought playing on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series was easy pickings while representing the Springbok Sevens in Vancouver, Edmonton, Dubai (twice) and Seville.
Springbok Women interim coach Louis Koen said the positives from their 16 day trip to Europe will propel the national side forward, but only if the negatives from the tour are addressed.
The Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers are through to the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, while the Emirates Lions booked their place in the EPCR Champions Cup top-eight following a thrilling weekend of European playoffs.