DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 28: Werner Kok of the Cell C Sharks during the Carling Currie Cup match between Cell C Sharks and DHL Western Province at Jonsson Kings Park on August 28, 2021 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
Currie Cup final: Sharks team to face Bulls revealed
Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has largely stuck with the side that won last weekend’s Currie Cup semi-final at Kings Park.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 28: Werner Kok of the Cell C Sharks during the Carling Currie Cup match between Cell C Sharks and DHL Western Province at Jonsson Kings Park on August 28, 2021 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
The Sharks have named their starting XV and matchday squad for the Currie Cup final against the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.
Everitt sticks to tried and tested
Looking to continue the momentum the team has built up over the last month, with wins over the Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions and Griquas, Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has largely stuck with the side that won last weekend’s semi-final at Kings Park.
Khwezi Mona has been named in place of Ntuthuko Mchunu in the front row while the return of Thomas du Toit from the Springboks is a timely boost, particularly for the expected battle upfront.
A new face has been included in the matchday 23 where replacement scrumhalf Lucky Dlepu is set to make his debut for the Sharks. The 21-year-old featured at age-group level for Western Province, captaining their Craven Week side in 2017, before making the move to Durban last year. Dlepu replaces Cameron Wright in the squad after the halfback sustained an injury after coming on against Griquas.
The Bulls are favourites to win their second Currie Cup title of the year, but Everitt believes his squad have a shot at lifting the famous trophy.
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“It’s one-all in the Currie Cup, we’ve beaten them once and there’s no reason why we can’t do it again,” said Everitt.
“We know that the ball travels far at Loftus so we’re going to have to handle the aerial battle well, but we have three players – Curwin, Sanele and Lionel – who kick really well and will be up for the challenge.
“We know the Bulls have a massive pack of forwards, they are playing well and were sublime in their semi-final. It’s all about momentum, we know what’s coming our way with regards to how they play and the emphasis for us will be about stopping their momentum and stopping their big ball-carriers.”
Currie Cup final: Sharks team
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Sanele Nohamba; 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Reniel Hugo, 21 Lucky Dlepu* (debut), 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Anthony Volmink
