By Gavin Rich.
If it weren’t for the suspension to Ox Nche, the Cell C Sharks would be heading back to full strength as they head into the festive period and an important trio of fixtures that starts with Friday night’s away clash with the Bordeaux Begles in the Heineken Champions Cup.
Nche is out until the new year after incurring a three match suspension for his red card for a head clash in last weekend’s opening Champions Cup game in Durban. As it turns out, the start of his period of absence coincides with the return from suspension of experienced tighthead and sometimes Sharks leader Thomas du Toit.
Du Toit comes back into the side at tighthead prop in place of Carlu Sadie for the Bordeaux clash. Ntuthuko Mchunu’s selection at loosehead in Nche’s place is the only other change to the side that won 39-31 in the historic first ever Champions Cup game to be played on South African soil at HollywoodBets Kings Park last weekend.
Those two front row changes are the only changes to the side that won against Harlequins, but there is a significant inclusion on the bench in the form of Lukhanyo Am. The Springbok World Cup winning centre has been out since early September, when he was injured playing in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, but returns from his injury just in time to be ready for the festive season Vodacom United Rugby Championship derbies against the Emirates Lions (23 December) and the Vodacom Bulls (31 December).
Dian Bleuler comes onto the bench in the place vacated by the promoted Mchunu.
A loss for Bordeaux in the first round away to Gloucester means little in the scheme of French rugby. They’re now playing at Stade Chaban-Delmas where home games are almost a religion and losing in front of their fan base is almost non-existent.
While the Sharks were full value for their win last week, they won’t have it easy against the team in ninth spot on the Top 14 log. Clermont’s win over the DHL Stormers last week showed just how tough it is going to be for the South African sides when they play on French soil. However, now that they are close to full strength, the Sharks have the experience and the marquee players to pull off a win, with Siya Kolisi again leading the team from the flank.
Cell C Sharks:Boeta Chamberlain, Werner Kok, Francois Venter, Ben Tapuai, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Jaden Hendrikse, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi (captain), Gerbrandt Grobler, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements:Dan Jooste, Dian Bleuler, Hanro Jacobs, Hyron Andrews, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Grant Williams, Lionel Cronje, Lukhanyo Am.