By
The Cheetahs, Sharks and Lions have named their teams to do battle in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup this weekend.
Cheetahs look to bounce back against Oyonnax
After suffering a defeat against PAU in Amsterdam, the Toyota Cheetahs travel to France this week to take on Oyonnax at 17h00 (SA time).
Marnus van der Merwe will start with Louis van der Westhuizen providing cover on the bench. Daniel Kasende wears the number 14 jersey, and Munier Hartzenberg moves to the left wing, replacing the injured Cohen Jasper (ankle). Oupa Mohoje is new on the bench, and Abner van Reenen steps in for Ali Mgijima (HIA protocol).
Ali (Mgijima) didn't pass the head injury protocol, so he had to return home. Losing Ali is a big blow. He played well in all the games when he came on as a sub, especially last weekend against Pau. Abner van Reenen joined the team on Thursday in France.
"We made it more difficult for ourselves to qualify for the Round of 16 by losing last week's game against Pau," said coach Hawies Fourie.
"This week wasn't easy as we couldn't train until Thursday due to weather conditions and travelling. Still, the improvement from last week's sessions was quite noticeable, and I think we will see the same on Saturday."
Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Oupa Mohoje, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Abner van Reenen.
Sharks look to continue good form against Dragons
The Hollywoodbets Sharks travel to Wales for the final round of the pool stages in this year's EPCR Challenge Cup to take on Dragons RFC at Rodney Parade in Newport on Sunday evening.
A win in this match will afford the team the opportunity to remain top of the pool and with that, home ground advantage in the play-off round. There is other motivation too, that of keeping up good form and maintaining it going forward.
Director of Rugby Neil Powell admits going into this match that despite last week's emphatic victory over Oyonnax at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, there can be no resting on laurels for this final pool game.
"We have to actively go out there against the Dragons this week and go make it happen. "We know the challenge we're up against, not just the opposition but the weather conditions we will face in Wales where it's mostly in the minuses.
"We're happy to have a win, it was much-needed, and while there were a lot of positives out of that game, there are things we still need to work on. But a good foundation to build on for the game against the Dragons."
Given the likely conditions, a tight match is expected. And these kinds of physical battles are often when close-quarter defence is tested the most.
"There was a 10 minute period last week when we defended our 22 and held Oyonnax out, managing to prevent them from scoring any points. So, from a defensive perspective, it was a really good performance from the boys; not perfect but we were proud of the commitment and effort shown.
"The focus for us going into this game is that if we want to be successful there, we can't have any areas of our game that aren't functioning to potential. We need to be clinical in every area."
Once again, there are minimal changes to the starting XV, James Venter and Tino Mavesere swapping jerseys, in the one change to the forwards, with Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams doing the same in the backline.
Sunday evening's match kicks off at 7.30pm (SA time).
Sharks: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Fez Mbatha, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 4 Corne' Rahl, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 6 James Venter, 7 Jeandre "Lappies" Labuschagne, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 10 Curwin Bosch, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Francois Venter, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 14 Werner Kok, 15 Aphelele Fassi
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Tinotenda Mavesere, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Lions face Ospreys in dead rubber in Johannesburg
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team for their final Challenge Cup Pool match against the Ospreys at Ellis Park on Sunday.
They have already secured their spot in the Round of 16.
After going down to Montpellier in France last weekend, Van Rooyen has recalled his stalwarts for the match.
There is also the inclusion of flyhalf Kade Wolhuter on the bench, who is on loan from the Stormers.
In the backline, Sanele Nohamba gets a start in the No.9 jersey with Gianni Lombard getting the flyhalf duties this week.
Henco van Wyk and Marius Louw will combine in the midfield while Quan Horn, Richard Kriel and Edwill van der Merwe will form the back three.
In the pack, Francke Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka and JC Pretorius are in the back row. Ruben Schoeman and Reinhard Nothnagel will combine in the second row.
The front row will consist of Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha and JP Smith.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw (captain, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Morgan Naudé, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Hanru Sirgel, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Erich Cronje.
