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Butch gets nod for Newlands

Durban - The Sharks coaching staff have made five changes to the team that defeated the Blue Bulls last week in naming their side to play Western Province in Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup clash at Newlands.

Kick-off is at 19:10.

According to Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick, keeping players fresh and on their toes, and maximising their performance and contribution over the course of the Currie Cup is an important component in planning this year’s campaign and evidence of that is seen in this week’s team selection.

“We’ve made a few rotational changes,” explains Sharks backline coach Sean Everitt.

“Butch James comes in for Fred Zeilinga in a purely rotational switch. Fred has done well over the last couple of weeks, but it is Butch’s turn to start. Obviously Butch is experienced and has played a lot at Newlands and enjoys that stadium, so it’s good to have him back.” Butch will be making his 50th Currie Cup appearance for the Sharks in this match.

Despite winning the man of the match award last week, Charl McLeod will again play off the bench (and hopefully again inject great energy).

“Charl has been on top of his game throughout the Currie Cup season, but we have two very good scrumhalves and we need to develop both of them and keep them both fit,” Everitt confirms.

In other changes, Danie Mienie (loosehead prop) has been given his second cap for the Sharks after playing off the bench against the Chiefs in Super Rugby earlier this year.

“Danie has been training hard with us for the last five weeks and deserves a start.”

Rayno Gerber comes in at tighthead after playing off the bench in the opening four matches.

Sizo Maseko replaces the injured Odwa Ndungane and finally, Tim Whitehead is back in the side in place of Heimar Williams who has enjoyed a very good run in his debut season at this level.

“Tim has had an unfortunate run with injuries but Heimar Williams has filled in well over the last couple of weeks. So it will now be another opportunity for Tim and we know what he’s capable of. The Sharks have missed him this year.”

Teams:

Western Province


15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende,11  Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Louis Schreuder 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Gerbrandt Grobler, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Michael van der Spuy

Sharks

15. SP Marais, 14. Sizo Maseko, 13. Louis Ludik, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Butch James, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Jacques Botes (captain), 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Marco Wentzel, 4. Peet Marais, 3. Rayno Gerber, 2. Craig Burden, 1. Danie Mienie

Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Edwin Hewitt, 19. Justin Downey, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Fred Zeilinga, 22. Jaco van Tonder
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