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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks and Lions will return to the field after both their matches were postponed last week, owing to their opponents – Ulster and Glasgow Warriors – suffering a gastroenteritis outbreak in their camps.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers and Lions are both coming off defeats in their previous United Rugby Championship (URC) encounters. The Stormers lost their first match of the season 30-24 in Cardiff last week. Meanwhile, the Lions lost 39-37 to Ulster in a tightly fought match a fortnight ago.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1439004 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GettyImages-1244154646.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" /> Rory Thornton of Cardiff Rugby attempts to block a tackle from Marvin Orie of Stormers during the URC match between Cardiff Rugby and DHL Stormers at Cardiff Arms Park on 22 October, in Cardiff, Wales. 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We control what we can, with a sharp focus on our processes in the build-up,” said Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, the Stormers have rung the changes for the clash, after their defeat last weekend.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head coach John Dobson has included eight new faces in his team to take on the Lions.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the backline, Angelo Davids, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Paul de Wet all make starts, with Dan du Plessis moving to outside centre.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the forward pack, Evan Roos is at the back of the scrum, with Junior Pokomela and Hacjivah Dayimani on the flanks.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marvin Orie is joined in the second row by captain Ernst van Rhyn, while up front, props Neethling Fouche and Brok Harris come into the starting line-up.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dobson said that considering there are five Springbok players unavailable, he is pleased with the strength of the squad travelling to Johannesburg.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We have managed to build some good depth already this season, and we are really looking forward to seeing what these guys can do up there.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We were obviously disappointed with the result last week and while training time has been limited this week, we can't wait to see how some of these combinations go,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1416917 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/inset-2.jpg\" alt=\"south african urc bulls\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" /> Johan Goosen of the Bulls during the URC match against Connacht at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 30 September 2022. (Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images)</p>\r\n<h4><b>Bulls vs Sharks</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls and Sharks both come off encouraging victories against Benetton and the Glasgow Warriors respectively in their last URC matches.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks will be without their current Springbok heavyweights Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi and Makazole Mapimpi for Sunday’s clash against the Bulls.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gerbrandt Grobler replaces Etzebeth, who won the man-of-the-match award in his first Sharks outing against Glasgow two weeks ago.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell named seven-time Springbok Francois Venter to start at outside centre, as he makes his debut in midfield alongside Ben Tapuai.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venter was signed by the Sharks after his English club Worcester Warriors recently plunged into administration.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among other backline changes, Cameron Wright takes over from Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, while Thaakir Abrahams is in for Anthony Volmink.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, Bulls director of rugby Jake White has opted to start Johan Goosen at fullback for the important clash. 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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks and Lions will return to the field after both their matches were postponed last week, owing to their opponents – Ulster and Glasgow Warriors – suffering a gastroenteritis outbreak in their camps.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stormers and Lions are both coming off defeats in their previous United Rugby Championship (URC) encounters. The Stormers lost their first match of the season 30-24 in Cardiff last week. Meanwhile, the Lions lost 39-37 to Ulster in a tightly fought match a fortnight ago.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1439004\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2000\"]<img class=\"wp-image-1439004 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GettyImages-1244154646.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" /> Rory Thornton of Cardiff Rugby attempts to block a tackle from Marvin Orie of Stormers during the URC match between Cardiff Rugby and DHL Stormers at Cardiff Arms Park on 22 October, in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo: Athena Pictures / Getty Images)[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Stormers vs Lions</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lions have not won any of their two previous matches at home thus far this season, something they will be looking to correct on Saturday.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has made one injury-enforced change from the side that was named to run out against Glasgow last weekend.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The change comes in the bench, where Morgan Naude comes in for Sti Sithole, who suffered concussion in training earlier this week.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There’s no doubt that the Stormers are a quality side, but in saying that our focus this week has been on our plans, and how we want to execute on Saturday. 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(Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images)[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Bulls vs Sharks</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls and Sharks both come off encouraging victories against Benetton and the Glasgow Warriors respectively in their last URC matches.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sharks will be without their current Springbok heavyweights Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi and Makazole Mapimpi for Sunday’s clash against the Bulls.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gerbrandt Grobler replaces Etzebeth, who won the man-of-the-match award in his first Sharks outing against Glasgow two weeks ago.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell named seven-time Springbok Francois Venter to start at outside centre, as he makes his debut in midfield alongside Ben Tapuai.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venter was signed by the Sharks after his English club Worcester Warriors recently plunged into administration.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among other backline changes, Cameron Wright takes over from Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, while Thaakir Abrahams is in for Anthony Volmink.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, Bulls director of rugby Jake White has opted to start Johan Goosen at fullback for the important clash. 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Rory Thornton of Cardiff Rugby attempts to block a tackle from Marvin Orie of Stormers during the URC match between Cardiff Rugby and DHL Stormers at Cardiff Arms Park on 22 October, in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo: Athena Pictures / Getty Images)
Johan Goosen of the Bulls during the URC match against Connacht at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 30 September 2022. (Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images)