Munster Rugby v Cell C Sharks Match Programme
United Rugby Championship Round 1 | In this issue, we get the lowdown on our opposition, the Cell C Sharks, we get to know new Munster player Rowan Osborne and look at a busy calendar of matches for our women’s clubs teams with the start of the All Ireland League this weekend.
United Rugby Championship Round 1 | In this issue, we get the lowdown on our opposition, the Cell C Sharks, we get to know new Munster player Rowan Osborne and look at a busy calendar of matches for our women’s clubs teams with the start of the All Ireland League this weekend.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
THE LOWDOWN<br />
We take a look at tonight's opposition, the <strong>Cell</strong><br />
C <strong>Sharks</strong>, on their first visit to Thomond Park.<br />
The side are based in Durban in the KwaZulu<br />
Natal Province and play in the Jonsson Kings<br />
Park Stadium, known as ‘The Shark Tank.’<br />
Sean Everitt<br />
THE SQUAD<br />
The <strong>Sharks</strong> boast some of the most exciting<br />
talents preparing to make their mark in the URC,<br />
with Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi and captain<br />
Lukhanyo Am among the star names in their<br />
ranks. These three players, along with former<br />
<strong>Munster</strong> player Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche, Jaden<br />
Hendrikse, Sbu Nkosi and Aphelele Fassi were<br />
all selected for the 2021 <strong>Rugby</strong> Championship<br />
Springbok squad. Their squad added 12 new<br />
names including Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, an<br />
Argentinean outhalf from Leicester Tigers<br />
who has played four times for his country. The<br />
<strong>Sharks</strong> have also bolstered their squad with the<br />
addition of players such as Bongi Mbonambi<br />
and Ben Tapuai while Ruan Pienaar and Tian<br />
Meyer - both of whom have PRO14 experience<br />
on their CVs - have joined from the Cheetahs on<br />
short-term loan deals. Eduan Keyter and former<br />
<strong>Munster</strong> player Gerbrandt Grobler have also<br />
been added to their ranks.<br />
THE FORM GUIDE<br />
The Durban outfit reached the final of the<br />
Currie Cup but suffered a 44-10 defeat as the<br />
Bulls claimed the title. The <strong>Cell</strong> C <strong>Sharks</strong> gave<br />
the British and Irish Lions a scare in the second<br />
of their two matches against the tourists, going<br />
in 26-26 at half-time after a four-try first-half<br />
display before eventually falling to defeat.<br />
THOMAS DU TOIT<br />
Age: 26<br />
Position: Prop<br />
<strong>Sharks</strong> Appearances: 81<br />
Honours: Springboks (13 caps)<br />
Height: 189cm<br />
Weight: 130kg<br />
THE COACHING TICKET<br />
Sean Everitt is the <strong>Cell</strong> C <strong>Sharks</strong> Head Coach<br />
and came up through the ranks as a former<br />
youth coach and assistant coach to take the<br />
helm of the Currie Cup team in 2019 before<br />
becoming Head Coach of the <strong>Sharks</strong> in 2020.<br />
Former Leinster Academy manager, Noel<br />
McNamara is the attack coach. In 2018 he was<br />
appointed head coach of the Ireland U20 side,<br />
winning a Six Nations Grand Slam title in 2019.<br />
Belfast born John McFarland is the defence<br />
coach and previously coached at the Bulls with<br />
Heyneke Meyer from 2001-2012 during which<br />
time they won three Super <strong>Rugby</strong> titles. He has<br />
been to two World Cups with the Springboks as<br />
assistant coach. Forwards coach Etienne Fynn<br />
and skills coach Phiwe Nomlomo complete the<br />
coaching team.<br />
ONE TO WATCH<br />
MUNSTER V CELL C SHARKS | 25.09.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
27
Change language