DURBAN – The Cell C Sharks side to play the Vodacom Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup fixture at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday shows a strong mix of experience and youth (start 3pm). Sharks scrumhalf Louis Schreuder said it was important that the side start the Currie Cup season on a high note.
“It’s just one round with six games and the first is at home which we’re looking forward to, but we know we can’t afford not to win our home games,” he explained. “We want to start well and after the warm-up game against Bordeaux, we are in a good place but know there is a massive challenge ahead of us this week against the Blue Bulls.
“The Bulls are a very good team, I think they’re going to be very competitive in the Currie Cup. We watched their game against the Cheetahs last week when they did very well in Bloemfontein against a strong outfit, a Pro 14 team.”
Schreuder is one of several players with Vodacom Super Rugby experience behind them and there is no shortage of Test match experience either. Those players will provide calm heads for the younger players who will bring a youthful exuberance to the team.
With the Cell Sharks having reached the final last year, there is only one way to improve and that’s winning the tournament. But the team isn’t feeling the pressure of expectation based on previous history.
Sharks team:
15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Andrew Evans, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Aphelele Fassi.
We chatted to #OurSharks halfback, Louis Schreuder ahead of their opening @TheCurrieCup game against the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby at home. The team looks forward to taking the momentum gained from last weekends game into this weekends clash.
— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) August 22, 2018