As a result, the Durbanites will return to the capital with a new-look team from the one that lost to the same opposition at Loftus Versfeld on Vodacom Super Fan Saturday, almost a month ago.
Everitt used that match, which the Vodacom Bulls won 49-28, to give his extended squad some game time as the season resumed, but this week the Cell C Sharks mentor has picked a very strong matchday 23.
Three players are back from injury and will bolster the KwaZulu-Natalians' side from their last visit to Pretoria, while Everitt has made just one change to in the starting team that defeated the Emirates Lions in round one.
Nkosi, a member of the Boks' Rugby World Cup-winning squad, returns to the starting line-up in place of JP Pietersen.
Upfront, Kerron van Vuuren (hooker) and Henco Venter (loose forward) have both been passed fit to play, but have been named to come off the bench in their first matches since the suspension of Vodacom Super Rugby back in March.
Also named on the bench is the hugely exciting Yaw Penxe who was last seen in action in the Castle Lager Springbok Showdown.
Yaw Penxe
The 23-year-old speedster, who hails from Queenstown in the Eastern Cape and is on loan to the Cell C Sharks, came to prominence for the Southern Kings before starring in the Green team’s 25-9 victory over the Golds early in October.
Cell C Sharks prop Thomas du Toit, like Nkosi a 2019 RWC winner, said that while things didn’t go quite to plan the last time the two teams met at Loftus Versfeld last month, Saturday’s clash offers the opportunity to show their class and ability.
“That’s the great thing about rugby, you always get second chances and that’s how we’re looking at it mentally this week: that we have a second chance," said Du Toit.
"It’s an opportunity to correct the mistakes we made three weeks ago. We’re very excited to play there again. It’s a massive opportunity but so too, a massive challenge and one we’ve taken on board."
After their 19-16 home win over the Emirates Lions in the opening round almost two weeks ago, the Cell C Sharks had a bye last weekend. Saturday's match, which kicks off at 19h00, will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Yaw Penxe.
Match information - Vodacom Bulls v Cell C Sharks
Date: Saturday, 24 October 2020
Time: 19h00
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Paul Mente
Television Match Official: AJ Jacobs
TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby
