Mziwakhe Nkosi, head coach of Fidelity ADT Lions, has decided to bring in the exciting Sanele Nohamba at flyhalf for the Currie Cup final against the Hollywood Sharks XV at Emirates Airline Park on saturday.
Nkosi made only one change to the Lions starting team from the semi-final with Kade Wolhuter moving down to the bench.
The diminutive Nohamba (69kg, 1.67m), who was voted the 2023/2024 URC player of the year, has proven himself to be an skillful and versatile player with the ability to create something out of nothing.
In what is expected to be an interesting dual, Nohamba will go head-to-head with his Sharks counterpart Siya Masuku (95kg, 1.89m).
Siya Masuku Pics: Steve Haag Sports
Masuku, who has become one of this country’s most impressive flyhalves since leaving the Cheetahs a year ago and joining the Sharks, led the Durban-based side to Challenge Cup glory last season and he’ll now be measured against Nohamba.
Both Masuku (28) and Nohamba (25) have Springbok ambitions and Saturday’s grand final could give some indication of who can perform in a highly pressurised environment.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV head coach John Plumtree has largely stuck with last week’s semi-final team, making just two changes, one amongst the forwards and the other in the backline.
Former Lions player Emmanuel Tshituka will start at No 8 after playing off the bench last week, while Jurenzo Julius returns at outside centre to partner with Springbok Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield. Tshituka’s brother Vincent will lead the Durbanites from the flank position against his previous teammates.
Giant Lions tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who scored perhaps one of the standout tries of the competition last Saturday, believes his side needs to be more accurate on execution against a Sharks side who will be beaming with confidence after their 100 minute marathon match against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus last weekend.
“Our set piece was below par last week so that’s something we need to work on,” said the former St Stithians College scholar.
“If you look at last week’s semi-final, we scored tries but conceded easy points immediately after that.
“So those are the things we have been working hard on this week in our preparations. All in all, we look forward to Saturday as both players and the fans coming out to support the team,” he concluded.
Teams:
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Rynhardt Jonker, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Tapiwa Mafura, 10. Sanele Nohamba, 9. Nico Steyn, 8. Jarod Cairns, 7. Ruan Venter, 6. Renzo du Plessis, 5. Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2. Jaco Visagie (captain), 1. Morgan Naude. Replacements: 16. Morne Brandon, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Conrad van Vuuren, 19. Siba Qoma, 20. Raynard Roets, 21. JC Pretorius, 22. Kade Wolhuter, 23. Kelly Mpeku.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15. Jordan Hendrikse, 14. Eduan Keyter, 13. Jurenzo Julius, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Ethan Hooker, 10. Siya Masuku, 9. Bradley Davids, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 7. Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6. James Venter, 5. Emile van Heerden, 4. Corné Rahl, 3. Hanro Jacobs, 2. Fez Mbatha, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16. Dylan Richardson, 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. Mawande Mdande, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Gerbrandt Grobler, 21. Tinotenda Mavesere, 22. Tian Meyer, 23. Lionel Cronje.
Kick off in Johannesburg is at 16:00.
