URC LIVE SCORES: Lions vs Sharks

The Lions host the Sharks at Ellis Park from 15:00 on Saturday 2 March.

Ahead of the round, the Sharks are at the bottom of the URC table.

Lions vs Sharks

Visitors out to bounce back

The Sharks undoubtedly want to show their pride in Johannesburg.

“This is a proud place, a proud rugby province and we go into every game looking to represent this badge to the best of our abilities,” explained Hollywoodbets Sharks defence coach Joey Mongalo in the build-up to the game.

He also said: “We want to see how far up [the table] we can finish, we want to challenge ourselves to climb from where we are at the moment and the way we do that is to continue to fight, to put in performances we can be proud of, that are the result of the efforts we put in during the week.”

“We’re in a space where the players are so connected to one another, we know that they can look each other in the eye and say, ‘we stuck together.’

“We’re in a tough stage, a transition period and this is a time for us to show our courage and also commitment. We want people to see that there is hope and ambition in this team, we want to be sure we represent ourselves well and to acknowledge our supporters.

“There’s enough evidence to show that this group is going somewhere and we take encouragement from that. Hopefully we will also take steps forward and the close losses we’ve suffered this season will become wins. That will help to build confidence and take us towards where we want to be.”

Rugby World Cup winner Bongi Mbonambi captains the side in the absence of Lukhanyo Am. Highly rated young Ethan Hooker takes Am’s place at outside centre, with George Cronje back in the side. Grant Williams and Siya Masuku partner at half-back and Eduan Keyter is also named amongst an exciting back three that features Springboks Aphiwe Dyanti and Aphelele Fassi.

The Lions want to tighten up their defence.

“There were many ‘slip tackles’, with players not in the right positions,” Lions defence coach Jaque Fourie said of their last outing.

He also added: “We work on our system again and it is all about manning up and tackling the guy in front of you.

“Hopefully the guys, this weekend, will also be up for the challenge.”

The Lions are also outside the URC playoff places. However, with a big win they could put themselves back in that conversation.

Teams

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Hanru Sirgel, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 Erich Cronje.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 George Cronje, 7 Vince Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Khwezi Mona, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Phepsi Buthelezi, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Curwin Bosch.