Big guns back for Sharks
25/04/2024 12:47
Two-time World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am will lead a Springbok-laden Sharks lineup against Scarlets in Wales on Friday night.
After a week's break, head coach John Plumtree has brought back many of his experienced players for the Vodacom URC clash at Parc y Scarlets, looking for their leadership and ability to deliver a winning performance.
Right winger Werner Kok, who will join Irish outfit Ulster next season, is set to make his 50th appearance for the Durbanites as the likes of enforcer lock Eben Etzebeth and fellow world champions Am, Makazole Mapimpi and Ox Nche return following last’s week defeat by the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland.
Although much is being made of the Sharks' historic Challenge Cup semi-final next week, loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi is quite clear where the team's attention is.
"Our focus is 100% on the Scarlets and what happens next week will be dealt with next week. In camp right now our only focus is to go out and perform really well against Scarlets,” he said.
"The focus now is on executing our processes and game plan. We want to better our performances in the URC because some of the results we got early in the season weren't good enough and not up to our standard."
Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Vincent Tshituka, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi,, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Gerbrandt Grobler, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Francois Venter.
Photo: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Steve Haag
The post Big guns back for Sharks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
