Rugby
Lions field Nohambe at flyhalf for the Currie Cup final─── MORGAN PIEK 13:14 Fri, 20 Sep 2024
“There are going to be so many people here and there are going to be a lot of nerves. It’s going to be important to stay calm and execute what we need to. I’m sure the Sharks are going to bring everything as they want to win.”
The Lions have made one change to their starting XV for Saturday’s big Currie Cup final against the Sharks in Johannesburg. The Lions have named the fleet-footed and versatile flyhalf Sanele Nohamba in the starting XV.
Last week Nohamba made a big impact off the bench in the 43-34 win against the Toyota Cheetahs in the semi-finals.
Kade Wolhuter who started in the number ten jersey against the then defending champions has been rotated to the bench.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean international outside back, Tapiwa Mafura, earns the distinction of playing in a third straight Currie Cup final for a third different team. In 2022 he won the Currie Cup with the Pumas in Kimberley, while in 2023 he was on the winning side with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Mafura’s experience for the big occasion will be invaluable, and he said it’s important to start calm in the heat of the battle as the Sharks themselves will be desperate to lift the Sir Donald Currie trophy.
“I think I have evolved a lot by playing in different positions and not just being stuck in one has helped in being able to execute what the coach requires on the day,” said Mafura. “Personally, I think I have grown so much since two years ago.
Tapiwa Mafura. Foto: Morgan Piek
“I think there are going to be so many people here and there are going to be a lot of nerves and it’s going to be important to stay calm and execute what we need to. I’m sure that Sharks are going to bring everything as they are going to want to win the game as well.”
Saturday’s final at Ellis Park kicks off at 16:00.
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 Morné Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Beertjie van Vuuren, 19 Sibabalo Qoma, 20 Raynard Roets, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Kelly Mpeku
Sharks – 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 André 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 Corne 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 Cronjé
