The Platinum Leopards face an uphill battle at Mr Price Kings Park in Durban on Friday evening against The Sharks, the defending champions currently in second place on the Absa Currie Cup log.
In fact, the Sharks can go top of the log with the first round of the competition nearly finished if they score a bonus point victory against the Leopards and the Golden Lions return with empty hands from Cape Town.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has decided to rotate his squad this weekend, making a number of changes to the team to give fringe players much-needed game time.
Stefan Terblanche is getting a break, with Springboks Meyer Bosman and Marius Joubert teaming up in the midfield. Keegan Daniel will play off the bench and Jacques Botes will lead the team, while Conrad Hoffman replaces Charl McLeod at scrumhalf.
Plumtree doesn’t underestimate the Platinum Leopards in any way though, even if The Sharks beat them twice by big scores in last year’s Absa Currie Cup.
“The Leopards have conceded a few points this year, but they’ve also scored a few, so they have plenty of attacking threats and will come here with an attitude of wanting to attack and put on a good show. Defensively, we’re going to have to be really up for it,” said Plumtree.
“Our defence was good against Western Province, but it was easier in the rain. Hopefully there won’t be any on Friday. They will look to stress us and we have to make sure defensively we’re on target – defence is a big focus for us this weekend.”
Last year in Absa Currie Cup: 13 August – The Sharks won 51-6 in Phokeng and on 1 October – The Sharks won 63-6 in Durban
This weekend’s rugby fixtures:
- 19 August – Vodacom Blue Bulls vs GWK Griquas, kick-off at 17:00 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Referee: Sindile Mayende
- 19 August – DHL Western Province vs MTN Golden Lions, kick-off at 19:00 at DHL Newlands, Cape Town. Referee: Marius Jonker
- 19 August – The Sharks vs Platinum Leopards, kick-off at 19:10 at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban. Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
- 19 August – Regent Boland Cavaliers vs SWD Eagles, kick-off at 16:00 at Boland Stadium, Wellington. Referee: Jaco Peyper
- 19 August – Valke vs Border Bulldogs, kick-off at 17:00 at Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park. Referee: Stuart Berry
- 20 August – Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs Ford Pumas, kick-off at 15:00 at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Referee: Pro Legoete
- 20 August – South Africa vs New Zealand, kick-off at 17:05 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.
