Sharks opt for continuity in Stormers battle

The Stormers are virtually guaranteed entry into the knock-out rounds – the only way the Bulls could deny them would be to win their next four matches, with bonus points, and then watch the Stormers fail in all four of their remaining pool games.

While anything is possible in Super Rugby, that particular permutation appears unlikely to play itself out. Certainly there is motivation for the Bulls to end the competition well after a disappointing season, but the Stormers are too good to lose four consecutive matches.

According to the Sharks official website, head coach Robert du Preez has largely retained the same side as last week, rewarding the players for their bonus point victory over the Sunwolves.

There is just one change to the starting line-up, Coenie Oosthuizen returning after being rested for last week’s match in Singapore, with Lourens Adriaanse named on the bench.

Lock Etienne Oosthuizen plays in his 50th Super Rugby game for the Cell C Sharks while there is a recall of Odwa Ndungane to the bench.

21-year-old wing S’busiso Nkosi, scorer of two long range tries last week, expects a highly-entertaining match between two sides who have a number of danger men who love nothing more than playing attacking rugby.

“The Stormers have some quality players and they have good counter-attacking abilities,” he explains of Saturday’s opponents who have won seven of their 11 games and currently top the Africa Conference 1.

However, they are not the only ones boasting the players with ability and intent to score tries.

“Quality and counter-attack is something we can also bring to the party, because we also have some very exciting players.

“This should be a very exciting game.”