Problem Cup: All of the crew information from Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions

The Sharks are in want of a lift following their poor exhibiting within the URC to date.

After principally hitting all-time low within the first a part of this yr’s United Rugby Championship, the Sharks get a chance to set the document straight and present what they’re truly able to once they tackle Pau within the first spherical of the Problem Cup in Durban on Saturday, with kick off at 5.15pm.

John Plumtree’s return to teach the Sharks for a second time hasn’t began nicely; his crew have gained simply one among their seven URC video games and are down in fifteenth place within the standings. And never even the introduction of a number of World Cup winners may halt their slide after they crashed to a 44-10 defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld final Saturday.

However up towards a brand new crew from France in a brand new competitors it might solely be hoped that Plumtree and the Sharks gamers can discover some confidence and kind to place up a combat and even perhaps get a win beneath their belts.

Pau from France

It gained’t be simple although; Pau are a stable outfit who’re fourth on the log within the High 14 and so they’ve been aggressive in European rugby since 1902 and now boast of their crew Check cap document holder Sam Whitelock of New Zealand. Two different former All Blacks to have run out for them embrace Ben Smith and Conrad Smith.

In a lift for the Sharks, Kerron van Vuuren returns at hooker after a spell on the sidelines with harm, and so, too, does lock Le Roux Roets.

Ox Nche may also begin instead of Ntuthuko Mchunu this week, whereas Grant Williams will put on the No 9 jersey, with Jaden Hendrikse shifting to the bench.

Marnus Potgieter additionally comes into the facet on the wing, whereas Lionel Cronje and Ethan Hooker are new faces on the bench.

Lions and Cheetahs

The Lions in the meantime have picked a new-look crew captained by hooker Jaco Visagie, for his or her Problem Cup match towards Perpignan on Sunday (5.15pm), the place they are going to meet outdated team-mate Marvin Orie, contemporary off his World Cup win with the Springboks.

It’s a younger Lions crew, with the vast majority of first-choice gamers again residence in Joburg making ready for subsequent week’s second spherical match of the competitors towards Newcastle. The Lions go into the match in France on the again of two good residence wins within the URC.

And, the Cheetahs are again in motion as nicely, by invitation, taking up the URC crew Zebre in Parma on Saturday (3pm). Ruan Pienaar is the standout participant of their facet and his team-mates will look to him to point out the way in which.

TEAMS

Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Marnus Potgieter, Lukhanyo Am (capt), Francois Venter, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Grant Williams, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Phepsi Buthelezi, James Venter, Corne Rahl, Eben Etzebeth, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kerron van Vuuren, Ox Nche. Bench: Dan Jooste, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Le Roux Roets, Jeandre Labuschagne, Jaden Hendrikse, Lionel Cronje, Ethan Hooker.

Lions: Andries Coetzee, Rabz Maxwane, Erich Cronje, Zander du Plessis, Boldwin Hansen, Jordan Hendrikse, Nico Steyn, Hanru Sirgel, Ruhan Straeuli, JC Pretorius, Raynard Roets, Etienne Oosthuizen, Ruan Smith, Jaco Visagie (capt), Corne Fourie. Bench: Morne Brandon, Morgan Naude, Conraad van Vuuren, Izan Esterhuizen, Travis Gordon, Johan Mulder, Gianni Lombard, Rynhardt Jonker/ Sibusiso Sangweni

Cheetahs: Tapiwa Mafura, Siba Xamlashe, Evardi Boshoff, Reinhardt Fortuin, Cohen Jasper, George Lourens, Ruan Pienaar, Jeandre Rudolph, Friedle Olivier, Gideon van der Merwe, Victor Sekekete (capt), Rynier Bernardo, Laurence Victor, Marnus van der Merwe, Schalk Ferreira. Bench: Louis van der Westhuizen, Alulutho Tshakweni, Hencus van Wyk, Carl Wegner, Daniel Maartens, Sibabalo Qoma, Rewan Kruger, Ali Mgijima

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