The Cell C Sharks have made two injury-enforced changes to the team that defeated Zebre Parma last weekend for their second tour match of this year’s BKT United Rugby Championship against the Dragons in Newport on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm).
Justin Basson comes into the starting lineup at lock for Gerbrandt Grobler, with Hyron Andrew taking his place on the bench, while speedster Anthony Volmink replaces Fred Zeilinga in the match-23.
Cell C Sharks assistant coach Noel McNamara has warned just how tough this match is expected to be: “We saw with their performance against Munster, they’re in a really positive place and I’m sure people sat up and took note of that result. We’re under no illusions as to the challenge we face on Saturday.”
Talking how the Cell C Sharks’ approach might change, taking on Welsh opposition after playing the Italians last weekend, McNamara said: “The weather and surface is going to be different; we saw against Zebre the weather was perfect, the surface fantastic and quick but here it is wet and cold.
“That’s one thing, in terms of playing the Dragons, they’re physical and they go hard at the breakdown so that’s going to be particularly important.
"They have a good set-piece, they caused Munster plenty of problems at maul and scrum time. And they have pace, they have strong wingers and if we give them opportunities, we’ll be in trouble.
“We’re looking forward to getting stuck into a very physical and confrontational contest.”
Cell C Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vurren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marnus Potgieter 23 Anthony Volmink.
