- Joined
- Jun 18, 2010
- Messages
- 7,385
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
Ellis Park, Jo'burg (27-08-2011, 16:05 GMT)
The MTN Golden Lions will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways against The Sharks at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
DHL Western Province became the first team to beat the MTN Golden Lions this season when they snuck home in Cape Town last weekend, and the Gauteng side know Saturday's encounter will not be any easier, even though they are playing at home.
Josh Strauss, bearded captain of the MTN Golden Lions, said their confidence remain strong despite last weekend's defeat at DHL Newlands.
"It was a good learning curve. We possibly just let ourselves down with the kicking game. Still, we played well in the first half and had an opportunity to win the game. We know what we need to do now and how strong the Sharks are," said Strauss, who left the field early against WP after suffering a rib injury.
John Plumtree, Sharks coach, said a lot is at stake in Johannesburg this weekend: "The challenge is to get it right this weekend. We're up against a really good defensive unit this week and a side's that's had a lot of continuity from the Super Rugby tournament through to the Currie Cup. They aren't top of the log for nothing, they're scoring tries and their defence is pretty tidy so we're going to be challenged in both departments this weekend."
MTN Golden Lions vs The Sharks
Date: Saturday, 27 August
Kick-off: 17:05
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Last year in Absa Currie Cup:
• 7 August: Sharks won 48-19 in Durban
• 25 September: Golden Lions won 22-20 in Johannesburg
Lions: 5 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warran Whiteley, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Doppies La Grange, 22 Burton Francis.
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Sibusiso Sithole, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Fred Michalak, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Keegan Daniel (capt), 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Eugene van Staden, 18 Jandre Marais, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Adrian Jacobs