MAJOR MATCHUP NOTSHE

Vs Coombes

Having been sidelined for close on a year following a serious knee injury, Sikhumbuzo Notshe has swiftly regained the fabulous form that highlighted him as one of the Cell C Sharks’ stars during the table-topping 2020 Super Rugby campaign, which, sadly, had to be aborted due to Covid-19.

Since arriving from the Stormers in 2020, the six-test Springbok loose forward has rejuvenated his career in the black of the Cell C Sharks, and established himself as the team’s frontline No 8.

This is courtesy of a couple of powerhouse performances from the back of the scrum against both Toulouse, in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final, and last week against Benetton.

Gavin Coombes was magnificent at No 8 for Munster in the Heineken Champions Cup, finishing the pool stages as the joint-second highest try-scorer, and has been equally impressive so far in the URC.

His second-half try ensured that Munster achieved a vital victory over the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend, while his hat-trick of tries led to a runaway 58-3 win against the Ospreys in February this year.

Coombes (25) made his international debut for Ireland in 2021, and is destined to add to his two current test caps in the near future.