The Stomers are looking to gain victory over the Sharks in Durban later today, 2 March 2019. This is just after their last-minute win against the Lions last week.
The Stormers lost to the Bulls (40-3) in the opening round, but hit back against the Lions this past weekend, winning 19-17. The Sharks are currently at the top of the Super Rugby table, beating them will not be too easy. It might be one tough game for both the teams.
“We are settling in nicely in the competition and the boys are feeling great,” admits Sharks assistant coach Jaco Pienaar on the Sharks’ official website. “We know there is still room for improvement, but at this stage, we’re very happy with where we are.
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“For us, those improvements are all about understanding what we want to achieve and keeping to the plan for 80 minutes.”
There is no denying the quality in the Cape side and they will look to string together two good performances in a row which obviously means they have the Sharks in their sights.
“They have great players, this is a special team and they will always be tough opposition when they pitch so we know we can expect anything from them,” says Pienaar.
“They’re similar to us in that they have powerful forwards with a great backline that can score from anywhere. They’re a well-rounded team that plays good rugby.”
Sharks team and injury news
Head coach Robert du Preez had the good fortune of being able to name an unchanged side.
Last week he stuck to the same starting XV with changes amongst the replacements, but this week has not altered the match 23.
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Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (c), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Curwin Bosch
Stormers team and injury news
There are three changes to the Stormers starting line-up that will face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
Lock Eben Etzebeth, scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and centre Dan du Plessis will all make their first start of the season. Etzebeth’s inclusion in the second row is the only change to the forward pack, with fit-again prop Wilco Louw among the replacements.
Jantjies replaces the injured Jano Vermaak and as a result Justin Phillips will provide scrumhalf cover, with Ruhan Nel and Dillyn Leyds alongside him on the replacements bench.
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Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 SP Marais, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Ruhan Nel, 23 Dillyn Leyds
Kick-off time
Saturday, 2 March at 16:15 (SAST).
TV, live stream and live updates
SuperSport 1 (subscription required) at 16:05 (SAST)
