CELL C SHARKS DOUBLE HEADER APRIL 14 203

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

DOUBLE HEADER CELL C SHARKS VSVODACOM BULLS KICK-OFF 15H30

14/04

CELL C SHARKS VS BENETTON KICK-OFF 18H30

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CHANGING THE GAME is a team effort.

SIYA KOLISI - RUGBY 8 @OAKLEY INC.

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CONTENTS

POA 15H00 PARKING GATES OPEN 15H15 TURNSTILES OPEN 15H30 CELL C SHARKS VS VODACOM BULLS 18H30 CELL C SHARKS VS BENETTON

10 12 14 18 20 22 26 28 29 34 35 36 37 40

MATCH PREVIEW (VURC)

MATCH PREVIEW (CC)

BOETA CHAMBERLAIN INTERVIEW

CELL C SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES

CELL C SHARKS VS BENETTON KICK OFF 18H30

CELL C SHARKS VS VODACOM BULLS KICK OFF 15H30

BENETTON PLAYER PROFILES

MAJOR MATCHUP (VURC) WILLIAMS VS DUVENHAGE

MAJOR MATCHUP (CC) HUGO VS SWANEPOEL

FACTS, STATS & TRIVIA VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

FIXTURES & RESULTS & LOG CURRIE CUP

FIXTURES & RESULTS

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

LOG

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

SPONSORS THE SHARKS

9

MATCH PREVIEW

HEROIC SHARKS PRIMED FOR URC GLORY WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP

The Cell C Sharks, on the back of a truly heroic performance in France over the weekend, are back at home in The Shark Tank to resume their URC campaign against Benetton tonight…

Neil Powell’s charges might have lost the ‘battle of Toulouse’ on Saturday, and dropped out of the Heineken Champions Cup race, yet the boys emerged from the Stade Ernest-Wallon with enormous credit.

Then, in the 53rd minute, Boeta Chamberlain glided into the backline and raced through untouched for a brilliant try, which Curwin Bosch goaled from touch to reduce the deficit to only 17-21, with barely a quarter left.

The final score might have been 54-20 to the five-time Champions Cup winners, Toulouse, yet it was no reflection of just how well the Cell C Sharks had acquitted themselves, especially during the first hour and more of the quarter-final.

Unfortunately, Toulouse replied immediately thereafter through a try by winger Juan Cruz Mallia, from turnover possession, and then the floodgates inexplicably opened.

“It was a major disappointment,” Powell acknowledged afterwards.

“Walking into the change-room after the game, there was dead silence. You could see the utter disappointment on the guys' faces.”

After all, at halftime, Toulouse, who basically boasts the backbone of the French national side, was still clinging to a narrow 14-11 advantage.

10

With the passionate home crowd urging on their team, as well as placing certain pressure on the match officials, there were a couple of doubtful calls, with Sikumbuzo Notshe, who had a blinder, being denied of a try in the first couple of minutes, due to obstruction - which was not at all clear on the TV replays.

“The big turning point was Grant Williams’ try that was disallowed because of a forward pass,” added Powell.

“If we had scored that we probably could have gained a bit of momentum to keep the pressure up on them and finish strong.

“The guys nevertheless produced a big effort, a big fight. They really tried hard and left everything out there on the field.”

Although they are now out of the Champions Cup race, the performance in Toulouse proved beyond doubt that this Cell C Sharks unit, at full strength, are more than capable of still doing really well in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

“THE GUYS NEVERTHELESS PRODUCED A BIG EFFORT, A BIG FIGHT. THEY REALLY TRIED HARD AND LEFT EVERYTHING OUT THERE ON THE FIELD.” Tonight they host the 2021 Pro14 Rainbow Cup and multiple Italian champions, Benetton, and will be looking for another big performance to improve their standing on the URC table and challenge for a playoff spot.

Benetton triumphed 27-23 over Cardiff in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday.

Last year, the Cell C Sharks saw off Benetton 29-7 in Treviso, bagging a bonus point in the process. They are fizzing to deliver a similar result at home tonight, prior to hosting Munster next week.

The boys will no doubt back themselves for another top performance against Munster, too, having comprehensively dismantled the Irish outfit at Hollywoodbets Kings Park a few weeks ago in the Champions Cup.

To be sure, two home wins on the trot will significantly boost the Cell C Sharks’ chances for glory in the URC.

11

MATCH PREVIEW

MORE OF THE SAME, PLEASE WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP

The Cell C Sharks showed their true mettle as they grinded out an invaluable home win against the defending Currie Cup champions, the Pumas. The intent is to carry on where they left off last Friday night, against the Bulls at Hollywoodbets Kings Park today…

The sheer significance of last weekend’s feat may only become obvious once this year’s Currie Cup Premier Division has run its course.

Considering that the Cell C Sharks had to play the majority of the second half with only 14, and, at one stage, 13 men, their 1912 victory over the defending champions and Currie Cup log leaders was indeed hard-fought, and well-deserved.

It was the Pumas’ first defeat from five games played so far this season, which underlines the enormity of the Cell C Sharks’ feat.

Following a minute of silence for coaching legend Ian McIntosh, who had passed away last week, the Cell C Sharks exhibited a highly resolute start to the confrontation and raced to a commanding 16-0 advantage after just over half an hour.

As was the case the week before, against 12

the Lions in Johannesburg, the Cell C Sharks’ discipline let them down shortly after halftime, when they conceded both a red and yellow card. To their credit, this setback only served to harden the resolve even more.

“The guys showed incredible character during this tough period,” Cell C Sharks coach Joey Mongalo observed.

“That’s not coaching; that’s purely a group that is starting to believe in each other and the journey that this team is on.

“It almost feels like this team likes adversity, because every time that things get tough they seem to stand up.”

Captain Reniel Hugo, named Man of the Match, led from the proverbial front, and his leadership carried the team through that extremely difficult 10-minute period, when they had to get by with only 13 men.

“Reniel was massive, and well assisted by

Murray Koster,” Mongalo said.

“That type of leadership was the only thing that could have pulled the team through.

“Reniel has a calm head, and he leads through action. So, when he does speak, the guys follow.”

The Cell C Sharks enjoy an unbeaten record at home in this year’s Currie Cup, but have lost both their away games to date, against Griquas and the Lions.

“We’re in the second phase of our roadmap, with three out of the four games during this phase at home.

“This win does give us enormous confidence, and I’m hoping that this confidence will breed more and more belief.

THE GUYS SHOWED INCREDIBLE CHARACTER DURING THIS TOUGH PERIOD “This group is probably one win away from understanding just how good they can possibly be.”

Last week’s victory has also boosted the Cell C Sharks’ championship points tally to 15, and, although they remain fourth on the standings, Mongalo’s men are now just six points adrift of the table-topping Pumas and Cheetahs.

Thus today’s outing against the Bulls is of vital importance.

The Bulls come of a drought-breaking victory of 40-3 over Griquas, their first win in five attempts this season, and will be fizzing to build on that momentum.

However, that win was achieved with a fullstrength URC team, a luxury they will have to do without again today.

Considering how impressive the Cell C Sharks were against the Pumas, Hugo and co will be satisfied with nothing less than a back-to-back win today.

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CHAMBERLAIN’S CHARM Boeta Chamberlain is one of those naturally gifted players whose instinctive charm with the ball in hand can set a game of rugby alight. His superlative try in Toulouse over the weekend was a graphic illustration of that, and the Cell C Sharks fullback is certain to provide more thrills on the URC stage at home…

WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP 14

Henry ‘Boeta’ Chamberlain - the nickname originated when his elder sister, Beanca, started calling him ‘Boeta’ as a baby announced his arrival on the Currie Cup stage four years ago in a victory over the Golden Lions in Johannesburg.

Playing flyhalf that day, Chamberlain called the shots like a seasoned professional and produced an all-round authoritative performance that had BMT written all over it.

It is probably thanks to his father, Bennie, who, when Chamberlain was only six years old, gave him a piece of invaluable advice.

“I always watched rugby on TV with Dad,” recalls Chamberlain, who was born in Cape Town 24 years ago.

“So, when I told him I also wanted to play, he took me to practice at Brackenfell Primary.

I was so awe-struck, though, that I simply dawdled along behind all the other boys all afternoon.

“Afterwards, on the way home, he hauled me over the coals, telling me to get my hands on the ball and become involved, otherwise I’d just be wasting his time.

“At the next training session, I scored five tries.

“I’m forever grateful to my father, as well as the rest of my family, for their continuous support and sacrifices over the years.”

Chamberlain’s journey started there and then, and, having excelled at rugby, cricket and athletics at primary school, he was offered a bursary to attend the prestigious Paarl Boys High School.

That, eventually, would also lead to his liaison with the Cell C Sharks.

“At the St Johns Easter Rugby Festival in 2017, I tore my knee ligaments in a match against Affies, but as I sat next to the touchline, a recruitment officer from The Sharks came 15

over and said that he had seen enough of me and that they wanted to offer me a junior contract for the following year.”

Chamberlain might have missed out on playing at the Craven Week, due to his injury, yet, instead, he became a Cell C Shark.

“I’ve been with The Sharks for six years now, and it truly is a dream come true,” he says.

One of his highlights in black and white so far, was when, as cool as a cucumber, he banged over a hat-trick of dropped goals to not only achieve a vital 27-13 away win over the Ospreys but also walk off with the Manof-the-Match spoils in 2021.

Apart from those prodigious field goals, Chamberlain also impressed with his allround game-management and confidence under the high ball.

A moment that he still treasures, more than any game on the big stage of world rugby, however, was the Western Province U13 trials many years ago.

“I was only the fourth choice flyhalf when the final round of trials came along,” he recalls.

“Dad had taught me that a defensive flyhalf would always progress more than just an attacking flyhalf, because one can learn to attack, but defence comes down to guts.

“I managed to pull off three or four trysaving tackles during that trials match, and advanced from fourth to first choice flyhalf.”

16 Another personal highlight for Chamberlain

was the Cell C Sharks’ 40-27 win against the Blue Bulls in the national U19 final of 2018, in which he scored a try and a dropped goal.

Lately, he has been operating at fullback for the Cell C Sharks, in both the Heineken Champions Cup and Vodacom United Rugby Championships, and is thoroughly enjoying himself.

“The number on the back of my jersey doesn’t matter,” he says.

“Just to be able to pull on the Cell C Sharks jersey, and to be able to live my dream, is enough for me.”

Despite his scintillating try against Toulouse in Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter-final, which Bosch goaled to reduce the deficit to only 17-20, with barely 20 minutes left on the clock, the Cell C Sharks suffered a 20-54 defeat, which was no reward for the magnificent manner in which they took the game to Toulouse during the opening 60 minutes.

“We always knew that whenever the Toulouse crowd became quiet, we would be gaining the upper hand, and that was exactly what happened after Grant Williams had crossed for what would’ve been his second try.

“The try was disallowed, though, because of an alleged forward pass. That broke our hearts, the crowd became alive again and Toulouse simply seemed to be re-energised.

“Our focus has now shifted back to the URC, and, although we might not be where we want to be on the log, we know what is required for us to be successful, and we’re very keen for the next two games at home…”

@TheSharks 17

CELL C SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES

OX NCHE

BONGI MBONAMBI

PROP

HOOKER

BORN: 23/07/1995 HEIGHT: 1.73 m

WEIGHT: 114KG

HYRON ANDREWS LOCK

BORN: 6/07/1995 HEIGHT: 2.03 m

WEIGHT: 108KG

VINCENT TSHITUKA FLANK

BORN: 10/09.1998 HEIGHT: 1.95 m

WEIGHT: 107KG

CURWIN BOSCH F LY H A L F

18

BORN: 25/06/1997 HEIGHT: 1.81 m

WEIGHT: 85KG

BORN: 07/01/1991 HEIGHT: 1.75 m

WEIGHT: 108KG

GERBRANDT GROBLER LOCK

BORN: 06/02/1992 HEIGHT: 2.01 m

WEIGHT: 119KG

SIKHUMBUZO NOTSHE EIGHTH MAN

BORN: 28/05/1993 HEIGHT: 1.86 m

WEIGHT: 105KG

MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI WING

BORN:26/07/1990 HEIGHT: 1.84 m

WEIGHT: 91KG

THOMAS DU TOIT PROP

BORN: 05/05/1995 HEIGHT: 1.89 m

WEIGHT: 134KG

SIYA KOLISI FLANK

BORN: 16/06/1991 HEIGHT: 1.88 m

WEIGHT: 103KG

GRANT WILLIAMS SCRUM-HALF

BORN: 22/07/1996 WEIGHT: 92KG HEIGHT: 1.74m

BEN TAPUAI CENTRE

BORN:19/01/1989 HEIGHT: 1.80 m

WEIGHT: 95KG

CELL C SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES

WERNER KOK

LUKHANYO AM CENTRE

BORN: 28/11/1993 HEIGHT: 1.86 m

BORN: 17/01/1993 HEIGHT: 1.79 m

WEIGHT: 93KG

FULLBACK

WEIGHT: 94KG

BORN: 22/02/1999 WEIGHT: 86KG HEIGHT: 1.81 m

CARLU SADIE

NTUTHUKO MCHUNU

KERRON VAN VUUREN

PROP PROP

HOOKER

BORN: 23/05/1995 HEIGHT: 1.87 m

BOETA CHAMBERLAIN

WING

WEIGHT: 106KG

BORN: 08/10/1992 HEIGHT: 1.81 m

PROP

BORN: 07/05/1997 HEIGHT: 1.82 m

WEIGHT: 112KG

WEIGHT: 138KG

JEANDRE LABUSCHAGNE

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI

CAMERON WRIGHT

LOCK

LOOSE FORWARD

SCRUM-HALF

BORN: 17/7/1999 HEIGHT: 1.95 m

WEIGHT: 106KG

MARNUS POTGIETER CENTRE

BORN:20/06/1999 HEIGHT: 1.90 m

BORN: 12/04/1994 HEIGHT: 1.81 m

BORN: 30/05/1999 WEIGHT: 102KG HEIGHT: 1.88m

WEIGHT: 102KG

WEIGHT: 92KG

THAAKIR ABRAHAMS W I N GC E N T R E

BORN:10/01/2000 HEIGHT: 1.75 m

WEIGHT: 75KG

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CELL C SHARKS

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY NEIL POWELL

MANAGER

TREVOR BARNES

20

BOETA CHAMBERLAIN

15

WERNER KOK

14

LUKHANYO AM

13

BEN TAPUAI

12

MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI

11

CURWIN BOSCH

10

GRANT WILLIAMS

09

SIKHUMBUZO NOTSHE

08

VINCENT TSHITUKA

07

SIYA KOLISI (C)

06

GERBRANDT GROBLER

05

HYRON ANDREWS

04

THOMAS DU TOIT

03

BONGI MBONAMBI

02

OX NCHE

01

KERRON VAN VUUREN

16

NTUTHUKO MCHUNU

17

CARLU SADIE

18

JEANDRE LABUSCHAGNE

19

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI

20

CAMERON WRIGHT

21

MARNUS POTGIETER

22

THAAKIR ABRAHAMS

23

KICK OFF 18H30 REFEREE BEN WHITEHOUSE

BENETTON

5

RHYNO SMITH

4

EDOARDO PADOVANI

3

NACHO BREX

2

JOAQUIN REIRA

1

MARCUS WATSON

0

TOMAS ALBORNOZ

9

DEWALDT DUVENAGE (C)

8

LORENZO CANNONE

7

MICHELE LAMARO

6

SEBASTIAN NEGRI

5

FEDERICO RUZZA

4

NICCOLO CANNONE

3

TIZIANO PASQUALI

2

GIACOMO NICOTERA

1

NAHUEL TETAZ

6

SIUA MAILE

7

THOMAS GALLO

8

FILIPPO ALONGI

9

RICCARDO FAVRETTO

0

MANUEL ZULIANI

1

ALESSANDRO GARBISI

2

JACOB UMAGA

3

MARCO ZANON ASSISTANT REFEREES STEPHAN GELDENHUYS & MORNE FERREIRA TMO JONATHAN MASON

HEAD COACH

CENCATTO ENRICO

MANAGER

MARCO BORTOLAMI

21

CELL C SHARKS

HEAD COACH

JOEY MONGALO

NEVALDO FLEURS

15

PHIKOLOMZI SOBAHLE

14

JOSH JONAS

13

MURRAY KOSTER

12

YAW PENXE

11

FRED ZEILINGA

10

BRADLEY DAVIDS

09

JAMES VENTER

08

OCKIE BARNARD

07

TINOTENDA MAVESERE

06

RENIEL HUGO (C)

05

CORNE RAHL

04

HANRO JACOBS

03

DAN JOOSTE

02

DIAN BLEULER

01

FEZ MBATHA

16

KHWEZI MONA

17

KHUTHA MCHUNU

18

ATHI KHETHANI

19

CELIMPILO GUMEDE

20

TIAAN FOURIE

21

LIONEL CRONJE

22

ZEE MKHABELA

23

MANAGER

ANDRE BARNARD

22

KICK OFF 15H30 REFEREE AJ JACOBS

VODACOM BULLS

5

FRANCO KNOETZE

4

SIBONGILE NOVUKA

3

LIONEL MAPOE

2

CHRIS BAREND SMIT

1

WANDISILE SIMELANE

0

MORNE STEYN

9

ZAK BURGER

8

NIZAAM CARR (C)

7

REINHARDT LUDWIG

6

CAMERON HANEKOM

5

JANKO SWANEPOEL

4

JACQUES DU PLESSIS

3

SEBASTIAN LOMBARD

2

JAN HENDRIK WESSELS

1

SIMPHIWE MATANZIMA

HEAD COACH

6

JACQUES VAN ROOYEN

ELIAS BENETTT

7

TIAAN LANGE

8

ROBERT HUNT

9

PHUMZILE MAQONDWANA

0

WJ STEENKAMP

1

BERNARD VAN DER LINDE

2

CORNAL HENDRICKS

3

KABELO MOKOENA ASSISTANT REFEREES ZUKILE MADIKIZELA & SANELE MDLALOSE TMO EGON SECONDS

JAKE WHITE

MANAGER

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THE ULTIMATE TEAM

SECURITY, FACILITIES & CLEANING Visit www.ssgsa.co.za 25

BENETTON PLAYER PROFILES

NAHUEL TETAZ

GIACOMO NICOTERA

PROP

HOOKER

BORN: 11/06/1989 HEIGHT: 1.88 m

WEIGHT: 121KG

NICCOLO CANNONE LOCK

WEIGHT: 102KG

FEDERICO RUZZA LOCK

BORN:17/05/1998 WEIGHT: 120KG HEIGHT: 1.95 m

MICHELE LAMARO

BORN:4/08/1994 WEIGHT: 108 KG HEIGHT:1.98 m

LORENZO CANNONE EIGHTH MAN

FLANK

BORN: 3/06/1998 HEIGHT: 1.88m

BORN:15/07/1996 HEIGHT: 1.83 m

WEIGHT: 103KG

BORN: 28/01/2001 WEIGHT: 102KG HEIGHT: 1.90m

TOMAS ALBORNOZ

MARCUS WATSON

F LY H A L F

WING

26 BORN: 17/09/1997 HEIGHT: 1.73m

WEIGHT: 82KG

BORN: 27/06/1991 WEIGHT: 86KG HEIGHT: 1.78m

TIZIANO PASQUALI PROP

BORN:14/07/1994 WEIGHT: 118KG HEIGHT: 1.79 m

SEBASTIAN NEGRI FLANK

BORN: 30/06/1994 WEIGHT: 108KG HEIGHT: 1.95 m

DEWALDT DUVENAGE (C) SCRUMHALF

BORN: 22/05/1988 HEIGHT: 1.73m

WEIGHT: 84KG

JOAQUIN REIRA CENTRE

BORN:22/02/1994 HEIGHT: 1.82 m

WEIGHT: 87KG

BENETTON PLAYER PROFILES

EDOARDO PADOVANI

NACHO BREX CENTRE

BORN: 26/05/1992 HEIGHT: 1.89 m

WEIGHT: 99KG

FULL BACK

BORN: 15/05/1993 WEIGHT: 95KG HEIGHT: 1.89m

SIUA MAILE

THOMAS GALLO

HOOKER

PROP

BORN: 18/02/1997 WEIGHT: 111KG HEIGHT: 1.81 m

BORN: 30/04/1999 HEIGHT: 1.76 m

MANUEL ZULIANI LOOSE FORWARD

BORN: 26/04/2000 HEIGHT: 1.88m

JACOB UMAGA F LY H A L F

BORN: 8/07/1998 WEIGHT: 91KG HEIGHT: 1.82m

WEIGHT: 81KG

FILIPPO ALONGI PROP

LOCK

WEIGHT: 105KG

BORN:11/02/1993 HEIGHT: 1.73m

WEIGHT: 107KG

RICCARDO FAVRETTO BORN:10/10/2001 HEIGHT: 2m

RHYNO SMITH

WING

BORN: 27/04/2000 WEIGHT: 118KG HEIGHT:1.87m

ALESSANDRO GARBISI SCRUM-HALF

WEIGHT: 108KG

BORN: 11/04/2002 WEIGHT: 83KG HEIGHT: 1.74m

MARCO ZANON FLANK

BORN: 3/10/1997 HEIGHT: 1.85m

WEIGHT: 96KG

MAJOR MATCHUP

WILLIAMS VS DUVENHAGE It is captain versus captain at No 8 today.

Grant Williams has established himself as a Cell C Sharks’ star and, indeed, a challenger for Springbok No 9 jumper, ever since his sensational solo performance in Belfast last year.

Despite the narrow 21-24 away loss to Ulster, Williams set the URC encounter alight to very nearly snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for the Cell C Sharks. Coming off the bench, he not only ran almost the length of the field for a stupendous try of his own, but also carved the Ulster defence open to create one for Marius Louw.

With one Bok test cap already to his name, Williams again starred in Toulouse this past weekend, scoring a great try in the first half, and almost another after the break.

Dewaldt Duvenage returns to Hollywoodbest Kings Park today for the first time since the Currie Cup final in 2017, when he played a starring role in Western Province’s 33-21 win against the Cell C Sharks.

With 64 caps for the Stormers under his belt and having represented South Africa U21 and SA ‘A’, Duvenage captains the visiting Benetton from the base of the scrum, and has established himself as a regular and reliable member of the Italian outfit, since signing with them five years ago.

He previously also represented Perpignan in the French Top 14.

28

MAJOR MATCHUP

HUGO VS SWANEPOEL Passionate, yet cool, calm and collected.

That sums up Cell C Sharks lock and captain, Reniel Hugo, who led from the front as he skippered the boys to last Friday’s landmark 19-12 triumph over the defending Currie Cup champions and log leaders, the Pumas.

Previously, Hugo was as a frontline member of the Cheetah side that clinched the Currie Cup in 2016 and also represented Toyota Verblitz in Japan.

The 32-year-old joined the Cell C Sharks three years ago and celebrated his Rainbow Cup debut with a superlative hat-trick of tries against the Stormers in 2021.

A member of the Blue Bulls outfit that saw off the Cell C Sharks in the Currie Cup final of 2021, and scored a try in the process, Janko Swanepoel originates from Stellenberg High School, near Durbanville in the Cape.

Having moved up through the Western Province age-group ranks, and representing SA Schools in 2019, Swanepoel was recruited by the Bulls following matric, and made rapid progress in the capital.

The 23-year-old, who stands 2.00 m tall and tips the scales at almost 110 kg, is developing into a typical Bulls bruiser, and should prove quite a handful today.

29

30

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THE SHARKS ACADEMY

THE SHARKS ACADEMY IS A WORLD-CLASS SOCCER AND RUGBY ACADEMY WHICH IS BACKED BY STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SHARKS.

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33

FACTS, STATS & TRIVIA

FIFTY YEARS ON… The Italian rugby connection with Durban continues today, 50 years since the Italian national side played Natal in 1973, with today’s maiden visit to Hollywoodbets Kings Park by Benetton Rugby, also known as Benetton Treviso…

Did you know that… *

Based in the northern Italian city of Treviso, Treviso Rugby was established in 1932.

*

Since 1956, Treviso Rugby has clinched the Italian Championship on 15 occasions.

*

The 1973 Italian side that lost 3-23 to Natal, contained three members from Treviso: winger Luigi Francescato, and flankers Umberto Cossara and Antonio Rocca.

*

Following its acquisition by Benetton Group, a global fashion brand based in Ponzano Veneto, Italy, in 1979, Treviso was renamed Benetton Treviso.

*

Notable overseas internationals to have represented Benetton Treviso include All Black John Kirwan and Wallaby Michael Lynagh, as well as SA-born Michael Horak (England), the current Cell C Sharks High Performance Manager.

*

Benetton Rugby has participated in the United Rugby Championship (formerly the Pro14 and Pro12) since 2010, and won the inaugural Pro14 Rainbow Cup in 2021.

34

CURRIE CUP LOG TEAM AIRLINK PUMAS

P

W

D

L

PD

PTS

5

4

0

1

103

20

TOYOTA CHEETAHS

5

4

0

1

85

20

DHL WESTERN PROVINCE

5

3

0

2

11

15

CELL C SHARKS

5

3

0

2

16

14

FIDELITY ADT LIONS

5

2

0

3

-33

13

THE WINDHOEK DRAUGHT GRIQUAS

5

2

0

3

-48

10

VODACOM BLUE BULLS

5

1

0

4

-48

8

NOVAVIT GRIFFONS

5

1

0

4

-86

6

CURRIE CUP FIXTURES / RESULTS R0UND 1R

SAT, 11 MAR

CELL C SHARKS VS NOVAVIT GRIFFONS | 32-16

ROUND 2

SUN, 19 MAR

WINDHOEK DRAUGHT GRIQUAS VS CELL C SHARKS | 48-40

R0UND 3

SUN, 26 MAR R0UND 4

SAT, 1 APR R0UND 5

FRI, 7 APR R0UND 6

FRI, 14 APR

CELL C SHARKS VS DHL WESTERN PROVINCE | 20-7 CELL C SHARKS VS FIDELITY ADT LIONS | 34-22 CELL C SHARKS VS AIRLINK PUMAS | 19-12 CELL C SHARKS VS VODACOM BULLS

R0UND 7

SUN, 23 APR R0UND 8

SAT, 29 APR R0UND 9

SAT, 6 MAY

TOYOTA CHEETAHS VS CELL C SHARKS CELL C SHARKS VS WINDHOEK DRAUGHT GRIQUAS VODACOM BULLS VS CELL C SHARKS

R0UND 10

FRI, 12 MAY R0UND 11

FRI, 19 MAY

AIRLINK PUMAS VS CELL C SHARKS CELL C SHARKS VS TOYOTA CHEETAHS

R0UND 12

SAT, 26 MAY R0UND 13

SAT, 3 JUN

NOVAVIT GRIFFONS VS CELL C SHARKS FIDELITY ADT LIONS VS CELL C SHARKS

R0UND 14

SAT, 10 JUN

DHL WESTERN PROVINCE VS CELL C SHARKS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN AWAY TAFEL LAGER PARK, KIMBERLEY HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN AWAY EMIRATES AIRLINE PARK, JHB HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN AWAY TOYOTA STADIUM, BLOEMFONTEIN HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN AWAY LOFTUS VERSFELD, PRETORIA AWAY MBOMBELA STADIUM, NELSPRUIT HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN AWAY DOWN TOUCH INVESTMENT STADIUM, WELKOM AWAY EMIRATES AIRLINE PARK, JHB AWAY DHL STADIUM, CPT 35

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES / RESULTS R0UND 1

FRI, 23 SEP R0UND 2

SAT, 1 OCT

ZEBRE VS CELL C SHARKS

| 42 - 37

AWAY STADIO LANFRANCHI

DRAGONS VS CELL C SHARKS | 19 - 20

AWAY RODNEY PARADE

LEINSTER VS CELL C SHARKS | 54-34

AWAY RDS ARENA

CELL C SHARKS VS GLASGOW WARRIORS | 40-12

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS ULSTER | 24-31

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS CARDIFF RUGBY | 0 - 35

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS OSPREYS | 25-10

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS | 37-10

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS VODACOM BULLS | 47-20

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CONNACHT RUGBY VS CELL C SHARKS | 24-12

AWAY THE SPORTS GROUND

EDINBURGH VS CELL C SHARKS | 19-22

AWAY DAM HEALTH STADIUM

CELL C SHARKS VS DHL STORMERS | 46-19

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

VODACOM BULLS VS CELL C SHARKS | 40-27

AWAY LOFTUS VERSFELD STADIUM

EMIRATES LIONS VS CELL C SHARKS | 7-29

AWAY EMIRATES AIRLINE PARK

DHL STORMERS VS CELL C SHARKS | 29-23

AWAY DHL STADIUM

SCARLETS VS CELL C SHARKS | 32-20

AWAY PARC Y SCARLETS

CELL C SHARKS VS BENETTON RUGBY

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS MUNSTER

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

R0UND 3

SAT, 8 OCT R0UND 4

SAT, 15 OCT R0UND 5

SAT, 22 OCT R0UND 6

SUN, 27 NOV R0UND 7

FRI, 2 DEC R0UND 8

FRI, 23 DEC R0UND 9

SAT, 31 DEC R0UND 10

SAT, 7 JAN R0UND 11

SAT, 28 JAN R0UND 12

FRI, 3 FEB R0UND 13

SUN, 30 OCT R0UND 14

SAT, 18 FEB R0UND 15

SAT, 4 MAR R0UND 16

SAT, 25 MAR R0UND 17

FRI, 14 APR R0UND 18

SAT, 22 APR

36

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP CURRENT LOG SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCES TEAM

P

W

D

L

PD

PTS

DHL STORMERS

16

11

2

3

126

61

VODACOM BULLS

16

8

0

8

44

43

CELL C SHARKS

16

8

0

8

-4

41

EMIRATES LIONS

16

8

0

8

-96

38

ALL CONFERENCES TEAM

P

W

D

L

PD

PTS

LEINSTER

16

15

1

0

269

74

DHL STORMERS

16

11

2

3

126

61

ULSTER

16

11

0

5

141

59

GLASGOW WARRIORS

16

11

0

5

90

54

MUNSTER

16

9

0

7

111

48

CONNACHT

16

9

0

7

13

44

VODACOM BULLS

16

8

0

8

44

43

CELL C SHARKS

16

8

0

8

-4

41

BENETTON RUGBY

16

8

0

8

-67

40

CARDIFF RUGBY

16

8

0

8

-43

39

EMIRATES LIONS

16

8

0

8

-96

38

OSPREYS

16

5

2

9

-73

35

SCARLETS

16

6

1

9

-51

33

EDINBURGH

16

5

0

11

-11

33

DRAGONS

16

3

0

13

-139

19

ZEBRE

16

0

0

16

-310

10

37

38

39

TITLE SPONSOR

APPAREL SPONSOR

STADIUM SPONSOR

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

STADIUM PARTNERS

MEDICAL SPONSORS

CLUB COMPETITION SPONSORS

DEVELOPMENT SPONSORS

CLUB SPONSORS

ACADEMY SPONSORS

40

41

42