CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS APRIL 9 2022

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

LOCAL DERBY CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS 16H05

09/04

#SHAvLIO

1

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

3

4

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

SPONSOR’S MESSAGE

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Welcome to another huge weekend of Vodacom United Rugby Championship action and those tough local derbies we live for.

This is a huge weekend for the Cell C Sharks as they look to entrench their place within the top eight that go through to the playoffs, and with the Durbanites currently sitting right in that eighth spot.

So every single point is going to count from here on. It’s all about getting maximum value from these home games.

In fact, the three South African teams currently in the top eight – including the DHL Stormers and the Vodacom Bulls – are all within just two points of each other on the overall table and in the South African Shield. So there is plenty to still play for in these next few rounds as they look to get the maximum value from every game.

As rugby’s greatest supporter since 1996, Vodacom knows a thing or two about adding value on and off the rugby field.

And if you don’t want to miss out on your own race to get maximum value, then it’s time to switch to RED and unlock your passion with a world of rewards waiting for you with the new Vodacom RED Retail deal.

Sign up for the Samsung Galaxy S22 on a RED Core More data plan and you’ll unlock 5GB anytime data, 5GB night owl data, a 1GB 3-month video ticket, PLUS 800 minutes of talk time AND a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic eSIM for only R1 549 per month.

And you’ll enjoy 6 months of Showmax.

That’s real value for your passion.

It’s now or never, so switch to RED today.

JORGE MENDES Chief Officer - Consumer Business Unit, Vodacom

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

5

CHANGING THE GAME is a team effort.

SIYA KOLISI - RUGBY 6

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

@OAKLEY INC.

OAKLEY.COM

SHARK TANK SCHEDULE 13H00 PARKING GATES OPEN 13H30 TURNSTILES OPEN 16H05 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

CONTENTS 10 12 16 18 24 26 27 36 37 40

MATCH PREVIEW

WERNER KOK INTERVIEW

CELL C SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS KICK OFF 16H05

EMIRATES LIONS PLAYER PROFILES

MAJOR MATCHUP VENTER V TSHITUKA

FACTS, STATS & TRIVIA

FIXTURES & RESULTS

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

LOG VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

SPONSORS THE SHARKS

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

7

C E L L C P RO U D LY SU PPO RT S T HE S H ARK S

8

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

9

MATCH PREVIEW

PREPARING FOR A SHARKS FEST WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP

The Cell C Sharks got their URC campaign well and truly back on track with last week’s comprehensive win against the Dragons. The boys are fizzing to build on that performance in their next two assignments - against the resurgent Lions tonight and then, culminating in a long-overdue ‘Sharks Fest’, when they host log-leaders Leinster in a fortnight’s time…

Happy days indeed returned to Hollywoodbets Kings Park last Friday as the Cell C Sharks walloped the Dragons 51-3, and by four tries, and two penalty tries, to nil.

Sure, the Welshmen are currently languishing near the bottom of the table, yet the self-assured manner with which the local outfit disposed of the tourists might just be an augury of great things to come.

Cell C Sharks coach Sean Everitt concurs.

“It’s important for us to stay humble, but I’m happy for our scoreline because it brings confidence,” he observed after the game.

“We tightened things up, gave them nothing and converted our points in the goal zone. We were clinical in the areas 10 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

of the field where we had fallen short the week before. When space opened up on the fringes, we knew we could take advantage.”

Naturally, the above-mentioned space was maximised by someone like Blitzbok legend Werner Kok, who not only ran in the try of the match, from more then 50m out, but also walked, or, rather, ran off with the Man of the Match spoils.

“Werner has played a string of games now and he has a high work-rate – the amount of metres that he covers is quite bizarre!”

Everitt enthused.

The platform for this profound victory was, however, laid upfront, where the Cell C Sharks’ pack, and, more specifically, the front row of Thomas du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche, once again simply annihilated the opposition at scrum time.

To be sure, the Durban-based front eight have developed into arguably the most formidable scrummaging unit in the competition.

Behind this dynamic base, Cell C Sharks’ pivot Curwin Bosch blossomed, both with the boot and ball in hand.

“Last week, Curwin managed the game well and his field kicking was outstanding; I’m just happy that he had his kicking boots on this time around,” Everitt observed.

“It’s now about building momentum; the log is very important at the moment, and there’s the South African Shield up for grabs, so this win is a massive platform for us to build on.”

The Cell C Sharks are still occupying the eighth spot on the table, and, with a view to qualifying for the quarter-finals, it is vital that, at the very least, Everitt’s charges remain in the top eight.

The Lions are currently lying 12th on the log, but the visitors from Johannesburg have now won their last four games on the trot, seeing off Cardiff, Munster, Ospreys and Edinburgh at home.

WE WERE CLINICAL IN THE AREAS OF THE FIELD WHERE WE HAD FALLEN SHORT THE WEEK BEFORE. WHEN SPACE OPENED UP ON THE FRINGES, WE KNEW WE COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE. They were made to work hard for the most recent victory, over Edinburgh, but fought back from 5-6 in arrears at halftime to emerge with a deserved 15-9 win, and they have displayed particularly impressive defensive character of late.

The Cell C Sharks are determined, however, not to make all the good work of the past week undone, and will be satisfied with nothing less than yet another invaluable home win.

The necessity for championship points becomes even more evident considering that the next team the Cell C Sharks are hosting, during the ‘Sharks Fest’ on April 23, will be Irish outfit Leinster, who have won 12 of their 15 games to date and are still sitting pretty at the top of the table.

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

11

THE BLOND BLITZ The Shark Tank was set alight last weekend by the might of the Cell C Sharks, and none more so than by this blond thunderbolt.

As usual, Blitzbok legend Werner Kok was all over the park, all night long, and his stupendous solo try, from more than halfway out, ultimately earned him the Man of the Match spoils…

WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP 12 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

Since signing with the Cell C Sharks two years ago, this live-wire three-quarter, who is equally at home at centre or on the wing, has brought heaps of energy and enthusiasm to the back division.

Famous for his long blond locks, Kok always appears to be having heaps of fun on the field, and it was the case again last Friday night as he helped slay the Dragons with his live-wire raids into enemy territory.

The 29-year-old, personified.

however,

is

modesty

“It’s all thanks to the team,” he says.

“I was merely in the right place at the right time.

“One could sense the vibe in the squad last week, how it was building up. It’s about playing for one another, more than anything else.”

It’s clear that Kok is having a blast with the Cell C Sharks in Durban.

“Durban was designed for me,” he quips.

“The lifestyle, the warmth of the ocean, it works for me, the fishing and the spearfishing, while the bush is nearby enough for the occasional weekend getaway.

“I’ve made fantastic friends, too. We’re into the same outdoor activities, so they’re great guys to hang out with.

“And, then, there are the Cell C Sharks. They might have veered away from the all-out running game as exhibited during Super Rugby in 2020, but we have had to adapt to the type of game played in the URC. “The rugby, the stadium and the people, especially the fans… this is the place for me.”

“How have you experienced the transition from sevens to 15-man rugby?” is a question that Kok has had to answer quite often, and CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

13

THE LIFESTYLE, THE WARMTH OF THE OCEAN, IT WORKS FOR ME, THE FISHING AND THE SPEARFISHING, WHILE THE BUSH IS NEARBY ENOUGH FOR THE OCCASIONAL WEEKEND GETAWAY.

he reckons it has been more difficult than people might think.

“Folks figure it’s easy, ‘cause you’re supposed to be so fit, you’ll just run rings around everyone,” he says.

“It’s not as simple as that, though. In sevens you have more space to work with, while the opportunities are limited in the 15-man game, and it’s far more structured.

positioned correctly, and you have to continuously work at your skillset; whether you’re a back or forward, your handling has to be up to standard.”

The Blitzboks are renowned for having a unique winning culture, and Werner Kok agrees that it is a vital ingredient for any team’s success.

“Then, of course, you have to negotiate behemoths tipping the sales at 120 or 130kgs, which is not something that you encounter in sevens.

“Everything starts with culture,” he says.

“When Neil Powell came in as Blitzbok coach, he turned everything around. He started out by focussing on the human element, prior to turning his attention to the playing side of things.

“Fortunately, my work-rate helps me in this regard. I try to run them ragged, and, when they’re in possession, you have to prevent them from getting up to speed.

“We became better people, and better people make better players. We established such a family culture, that we played for each other and the team was driven by pride.

“I like contact, though; I’m not the type of guy who will back down from a confrontation with someone bigger than me.”

“This current Cell C Sharks’ squad boasts so much experience, and such depth. At the end of the day, however, the names on the team sheet don’t matter; the important thing is that the guys gel and work for each other.”

Kok also believes that certain disciplines of sevens rugby have stood him in good stead as far as the 15-man code is concerned.

“Definitely work-rate, as well as the mindset of never giving up.

“One has to ensure that you are always 14 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

@TheSharks

@TheSharksZA

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

15

CELL C SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES

OX NCHE

BONGI MBONAMBI

PROP

BORN: 23/07/1995 HEIGHT: 1.76 m

WEIGHT: 117KG

GERBRANDT GROBLER

BORN: 07/01/1991 HEIGHT: 1.75m

WEIGHT: 119KG

HENCO VENTER FLANK

BORN: 27/03/1992 HEIGHT: 1.92 m

WEIGHT: 107KG

CURWIN BOSCH F LY H A L F

BORN: C 25/06/1997 85KG SHARKS VSWEIGHT: EMIRATES LIONS 16 CELL HEIGHT: 1.81 m

WEIGHT: 108KG

RENIEL HUGO

LOCK

BORN: 6/02/1992 HEIGHT: 2.01 m

THOMAS DU TOIT PROP

HOOKER

LOCK

BORN: 19/07/1995 HEIGHT: 1.97m

WEIGHT: 111KG

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI EIGHTH MAN

BORN: 27/03/1992 WEIGHT: 107KG HEIGHT: 1.92m

MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI WING

BORN: 26/07/1990 HEIGHT: 1.84 m

WEIGHT: 91KG

BORN: 05/05/1995 HEIGHT: 1.89 m

WEIGHT: 134KG

SIYA KOLISI FLANK

BORN: 16/06/1991 HEIGHT: 1.88 m

WEIGHT: 103KG

JADEN HENDRIKSE SCRUM-HALF

BORN: 22/07/1996 HEIGHT: 1.74 m

WEIGHT: 77KG

MARIUS LOUW CENTRE

BORN: 24/10/1995 HEIGHT: 1.81 m

WEIGHT: 93KG

CELL C SHARKS PLAYER PROFILES

BEN TAPUAI

WERNER KOK

CENTRE

BORN:19/01/1989 HEIGHT: 1.80 m

WEIGHT: 95KG

BORN: 17/01/1993 HEIGHT: 1.79 m

BORN: 10/02/1990 HEIGHT: 1.80 m

WEIGHT: 106KG

BORN: 05/04/1999 HEIGHT: 1.88 m

LE ROUX ROETS

PROP

WEIGHT: 114KG

BORN: 01/07/1997 HEIGHT: 1.84 m

WEIGHT: 138KG

LOOSE FORWARD

BORN: 17/07/1999 HEIGHT: 1.92 m

GRANT WILLIAMS SCRUM-HALF

BORN: 22/07/1996 HEIGHT: 1.74 m

WEIGHT: 77KG

WEIGHT: 117KG

SIKHUMBUZO NOTSHE

JEANDRE LABUSCHAGNE

LOCK

WEIGHT: 86KG

KHUTHA MCHUNU

PROP

HOOKER

BORN: 14/01/1995 HEIGHT: 2.01 m

FULLBACK

WEIGHT: 94KG

NTUTHUKO MCHUNU

KERRON VAN VUUREN BORN: 23/05/1995 HEIGHT: 1.87 m

ANTHONY VOLMINK

WING

EIGHTH MAN

WEIGHT: 104KG

BORN: 28/05/1993 HEIGHT: 1.86 m

WEIGHT: 105KG

BOETA CHAMBERLAIN F LY H A L F

BORN: 22/02/1999 WEIGHT: 86KG CELL HEIGHT: 1.81 m C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

17

CELL C SHARKS

HEAD COACH SEAN EVERITT

MANAGER

TREVOR BARNES

18 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

ANTHONY VOLMINK

15

WERNER KOK

14

BEN TAPUAI

13

MARIUS LOUW

12

MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI

11

CURWIN BOSCH

10

JADEN HENDRIKSE

09

PHEPSI BUTHELEZI

08

HENCO VENTER

07

SIYA KOLISI

06

RENIEL HUGO

05

GERBRANDT GROBLER

04

THOMAS DU TOIT (C)

03

BONGI MBONAMBI

02

OX NCHE

01

KERRON VAN VUUREN

16

NTUTHUKO MCHUNU

17

KHUTHA MCHUNU

18

LE ROUX ROETS

19

JEANDRE LABUSCHAGNE

20

SIKHUMBUZO NOTSHE

21

GRANT WILLIAMS

22

BOETA CHAMBERLAIN

23

KICK OFF 16H05 REFEREE BEN BLAIN

EMIRATES LIONS

5

QUAN HORN

4

RABZ MAXWANE

3

WANDISILE SIMELANE

2

MANUEL RASS

1

EDWILL VAN DER MERWE

0

JORDAN HENDRIKSE

9

MORNE VAN DEN BERG

8

EMMANUEL TSHITUKA

7

VINCENT TSHITUKA

6

FRANCKE HORN

5

REINHARD NOTHNAGEL (C)

4

RUBEN SCHOEMAN

3

JANNIE DU PLESSIS

2

PJ BOTHA

1

STI SITHOLE

6

MORNE BRANDON

7

JP SMITH

8

RUAN DREYER

9

SIBUSISO SANGWENI

0

JAROD CAIRNS

1

ANDRE WARNER

2

HENCO VAN WYK

3

TIAAN SWANEPOEL ASSISTANT REFEREES CWENGILE JADEZWENI & GRIFFIN COLBY TMO MARIUS JONKER

HEAD COACH

IVAN VAN ROOYEN

MANAGER

MUSTAPHA BOOMGAARD

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

19

20 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

21

THE ULTIMATE TEAM

SECURITY, FACILITIES & CLEANING Visit www.ssgsa.co.za 22 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

LOCAL IS LEKKER! DID YOU KNOW THAT THE SHARKS NOW OWN THE AFROS IN UMHLANGA? PURCHASE A CELL C SHARKS

MATCH DAY TICKET AND RECEIVE

10% OFF

YOUR MEAL ON YOUR NEXT VISIT TO OUR UMHLANGA STORE.

PRESENT YOUR MATCH DAY TICKET AT THE COUNTER TO REDEEM YOUR DISCOUNT.

OFFER VALID : MARCH - MAY

*EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE TO THE AFRO’S UMHLANGA STORE.

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

23

EMIRATES LIONS PLAYER PROFILES

STI SITHOLE PROP

BORN: 31/03/1993 HEIGHT: 1.80 m

WEIGHT: 111KG

RUBEN SCHOEMAN LOCK

BORN: 14/03/1996 WEIGHT: 123KG HEIGHT: 1.98 m

VINCENT TSHITUKA FLANK

BORN: 10/09/1998 HEIGHT: 1.94 m

WEIGHT: 108KG

JORDAN HENDRIKSE F LY H A L F

BORN: 28/06/2001 HEIGHT: 1.86 m

WEIGHT: 72KG

PJ BOTHA HOOKER

WEIGHT: 100KG

BORN: 720/01/1998 HEIGHT: 1.82m

REINHARD NOTHNAGEL (C) LOCK

BORN: 25/09/1997 HEIGHT: 2.02m

WEIGHT: 115KG

EMMANUEL TSHITUKA EIGHTH MAN

BORN: 16/06/2000 WEIGHT: 106KG HEIGHT: 1.94m

EDWILL VAN DER MERWE WING

BORN: 12/04/1996 WEIGHT: 90KG HEIGHT: 1.80m

JANNIE DU PLESSIS PROP

BORN: 16/11/1992 WEIGHT: 121KG HEIGHT: 1.88 m

FRANCKE HORN FLANK

BORN: 24/05/1999 WEIGHT: 103KG HEIGHT: 1.90 m

MORNE VAN DEN BERG SCRUMHALF

BORN: 24/10/1997 HEIGHT: 1.75 m

WEIGHT: 75KG

MANNIE RASS CENTRE

BORN: 19/04/1998 HEIGHT: 1.75 m

WEIGHT: 88KG

EMIRATES LIONS PLAYER PROFILES

WANDISILE SIMELANE BORN: 21/03/1998 HEIGHT: 1.79 m

FULL BACK

WING

WEIGHT: 90KG

BORN: 14/08/1995 WEIGHT: 81KG HEIGHT: 1.81 m

MORNE BRANDON

BORN: 27/06/2001 HEIGHT: 1.80m

JP SMITH

HOOKER

BORN: 24/01/1990 HEIGHT: 1.88m

PROP

WEIGHT: 124KG

SIBUSISO SANGWENI

JAROD CAIRNS

FLANK

LOOSE FORWARD

WEIGHT: 90KG

CENTRE

BORN: 2000

BORN: 16/09/1990 WEIGHT: 115KG HEIGHT: 1.85 m

ANDRE WARNER SCRUM-HALF

BORN:18/05/2001 HEIGHT: 1.87m

HENCO VAN WYK

WEIGHT: 84KG

RUAN DREYER

PROP

BORN: 25/11/2000 WEIGHT: 106KG HEIGHT: 1.84 m

BORN: 27/11/2000 HEIGHT: 1.89 m

QUAN HORN

RABZ MAXWANE

CENTRE

BORN: 2/09/1993 WEIGHT: 85KG HEIGHT: 1.84m

TIAAN SWANEPOEL FULLBACK

BORN: 4/06/1996 HEIGHT: 1.78 m

WEIGHT: 91KG

MAJOR MATCHUP

VENTER V TSHITUKA Having turned 30 recently, Henco Venter has established himself as an essential cog in the Cell C Sharks’ back row.

A highly experienced and hard-grafting campaigner, Venter has been going about his job in a silent but highly constructive fashion, and he was rewarded with the Man-of-the-Match spoils a few weeks ago against Zebre.

Venter is especially prominent in the Cell C Sharks’ defensive alignment, having so far made 81 tackles in the URC - with a tackle success rate of 93%.

Delivering 100%-plus performances from week to week, one can again expect Venter to produce the goods today.

Lions dynamo Vincent Tshituka has been the talk of the town in Johannesburg the past month, and is said to be on the Springbok radar.

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the 23-year-old was named Man of the Match in three of the Lions’ last four games.

He did so again last Saturday, scoring a try and creating vital turnovers in the 15-9 victory over Edinburgh.

With heaps of gas at his disposal, Tshituka is a menace with the ball in hand, and has to date beaten 15 defenders and made nine offloads.

He is, however, equally effective in defence, having amassed 125 tackles.

26 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

FACTS, STATS & TRIVIA

CELEBRATING 130 YEARS OF LEGENDARY RIVALRY THE CELL C SHARKS AND LIONS, PREVIOUSLY NATAL AND TRANSVAAL, HAVE SINCE 1892 ENGAGED IN SOME EPIC BATTLES ON THE PADDOCK, FIRST ON THE CURRIE CUP STAGE AND LATER IN VARIOUS OTHER COMPETITIONS, INCLUDING SUPER RUGBY AND, NOW, ALSO THE URC. OVER THE PAST 130 YEARS, THESE BATTLES HAVE PRODUCED SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS… Did you know that… * The first occasion on which Natal and Transvaal met on the rugby field was at Kimberley in 1892, during the inaugural Currie Cup tournament.

Transvaal won 23-0. * Natal wiped out a 17-point deficit in the last seven minutes of a friendly against Transvaal at Ellis Park in 1973, to emerge with an incredible and, indeed, unforgettable 22-21 victory. * Natal clinched the Yardley Cup in 1988 with a 21-15 triumph over Transvaal in the final at Ellis Park. * The Cell C Sharks and Lions have contested the Currie Cup final five times, with the Durban-based side winning two. * André Joubert blitzed the Lions with a brace of sensational tries in the Currie Cup final of 1996. The Sharks won 33-15. * The first Super Rugby encounter between The Sharks and Lions was also in 1996, with the former romping to a 49-13 triumph. * The Cell C Sharks recorded an impressive 47-37 win during the first URC match against the Lions in Johannesburg on January 22 this year.

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

27

SATURDAY, 23 APRIL CELL C SHARKS VS LEINSTER

MANGO GROOVE CONCERT FUN ACTIVATIONS PLAYER SIGNING SESSION KIDS INFLATABLE RIDES BEER & GIN GARDEN

FOOD MARKET

DJ’S ON DECK

OUTERFIELD BRAAI’S

& SO MUCH MORE

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE FUN!

TICKETS FROM R70

WWW.SHARKSRUGBY.CO.ZA 28 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

R E I G N I T E YO U R PAS S I O N F O R L IVE S P O R T!

E A R LY B I R D S P E C IAL!

10% OFF

VS

(SOUTH AFRICA VS. ARGENTINA)

30 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

EXPERIENCE WHAT PREMIUM FEELS LIKE Shop from the comfort of your couch Visit our Online showroom at www.smg.co.za and find your dream car today.

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE SHARKS

Now available for FREE to all existing print subscribers!

Not a subscriber, download the app and get 14 days free trial.

INDEPENDENT Access an e-edition of your favourite newspaper via

1. Tap on Account 2. Tap on SIGN IN 3. Tap on SIGN UP 4. Enter your email address (Please use the email address associated with your print subscription to be authenticated for newspaper app access for free) 5. Select your own password and confirm 6. Tap SIGN UP 7. Tap on theCLibrary tabVS to EMIRATES access your LIONS issues CELL SHARKS

31

WELCOME TO

THE SHARKS ACADEMY

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

@THESHARKSACADEMY @SHARKSACADEMY @SHARKS_ACADEMY 32 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

33

34 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

EASTER FEAST OF RUNNING RUGBY The Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival kicks off next week after a twoyear COVID-induced absence.

Twelve top South African rugby schools promise to provide a high level of competitive running rugby over Easter. The three play days are Thursday 14, Saturday 16 and Monday 18 April.

This year’s festival will showcase four powerhouse teams from Gauteng - Hoërskool Monument (Monnas) from Krugersdorp, Pretoria Boys High, Hoërskool Waterkloof (Pretoria) and Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg). Hoërskool Noord-Kaap from Kimberley will be returning to the festival, as well as three strong Eastern Cape teams, Selborne College (East London), Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha) and festival newcomers Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Cradock). Glenwood, Westville Boys’ High, Durban High School (DHS) and Kearsney College will represent KwaZulu-Natal.

The festival makes a welcome resumption for players and supporters after the enforced break, said The Sharks high performance manager, Michael Horak.

“The Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is one that every young rugby player strives to be a part of. The Sharks Academy has been a proud partner of this iconic festival since its inception. We continue to back the effectiveness and importance that it holds in attracting the best schoolboy teams from around the country,” he said.

Considered one of the most prestigious and well-organised schools’ rugby festivals in South Africa, four primary school teams will be offered the opportunity to participate, providing young players with the excitement of playing on a full-size field in front of large crowds. This year Umhlali Preparatory, Hillcrest Primary and Highbury Preparatory will each face the KZN Rugby Union’s Ibutho-Mark Godefroy U13 team to open each day’s play.

For supporters of schoolboy rugby, the Kearsney campus provides a wonderful day out for the whole family, with a coffee shop, food outlets, a KidZone and a beer tent.

Entrance is R30 per person.

Fixtures and festival information are available on kearsney.com – and all matches will be live-streamed on the supersportschools.com app and website.

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES / RESULTS R0UND 1

SAT, 25 SEP

| 42 - 17

MUNSTER VS CELL C SHARKS

R0UND 2

SAT, 2 OCT

GLASGOW WARRIORS VS CELL C SHARKS

AWAY THOMOND PARK

| 35 - 24

AWAY SCOTSTOUN STADIUM

R0UND 3

FRI, 8 OCT

OSPREYS VS CELL C SHARKS

| 13 - 27

AWAY SWANSEA.COM STADIUM

R0UND 4

SAT, 16 OCT

| 23 - 17

CARDIFF RUGBY VS CELL C SHARKS

R0UND 5

FRI, 3 DEC

CELL C SHARKS VS VODACOM BULLS

R0UND 6

FRI, 11 MAR

CELL C SHARKS VS SCARLETS

| 30 - 16

| 37 - 20

AWAY CARDIFF ARMS PARK AWAY CAPE TOWN STADIUM, CPT HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

R0UND 7

SAT, 19 MAR

CELL C SHARKS VS ZEBRE RUGBY | 38 - 6

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

EMIRATES LIONS VS CELL C SHARKS | 37-47

AWAY EMIRATES AIRLINE PARK

DHL STORMERS VS CELL C SHARKS | 20-10

AWAY CAPE TOWN STADIUM, CPT

R0UND 8

SAT, 22 JAN R0UND 9

SAT, 5 FEB R0UND 10

SAT, 26 FEB

BENETTON RUGBY VS CELL C SHARKS

R0UND 11

SAT, 29 JAN

CELL C SHARKS VS DHL STORMERS

| 7-29

| 22-22

AWAY STADIO COMUNALE DI MONIGO HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

R0UND 12

SAT, 12 FEB

VODACOM BULLS VS CELL C SHARKS

| 22-29

AWAY LOFTUS VERSFELD, PTA

R0UND 13

SAT, 9 APR

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS EDINBURGH | 5-21

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS DRAGONS | 51-3

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS LEINSTER

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

CELL C SHARKS VS CONNACHT

HOME HOLLYWOODBETS KINGS PARK, DURBAN

ULSTER VS CELL C SHARKS

AWAY KINGSPAN STADIUM

R0UND 14

SAT, 26 MAR R0UND 15

FRI, 1 APR R0UND 16

SAT, 23 APR R0UND 17

SAT, 30 APR R0UND 18

SAT, 21 MAY

36 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP CURRENT LOG SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCES TEAM

P

W

D

L

PD

PTS

DHL STORMERS

14

8

2

4

114

43

VODACOM BULLS

14

8

0

6

96

42

CELL C SHARKS

14

8

1

5

96

41

EMIRATES LIONS

14

6

0

8

-30

30

PTS

ALL CONFERENCES TEAM

P

W

D

L

PD

LEINSTER RUGBY

15

12

0

33

272

60

ULSTER RUGBY

15

10

0

5

113

50

GLASGOW WARRIORS

15

10

0

5

87

50

MUNSTER RUGBY

15

9

0

6

165

47

EDINBURGH RUGBY

15

8

1

6

89

44

DHL STORMERS

14

8

2

4

114

43

VODACOM BULLS

14

8

0

6

96

42

CELL C SHARKS

14

8

1

5

96

41

CONNACHT RUGBY

15

7

0

8

-88

32

SCARLETS

13

6

0

7

-60

32

OSPREYS

14

7

0

7

-98

30

EMIRATES LIONS

14

6

0

8

-30

30

BENETTON RUGBY

14

4

1

9

-121

24

CARDIFF RUGBY

12

5

0

7

-117

23

DRAGONS

12

1

1

10

-199

11

ZEBRE

13

0

0

13

2 CELL C -319 SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

37

#WEARERHINO

38 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

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 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS

41

42 CELL C SHARKS VS EMIRATES LIONS