Still no Kolisi, Etzebeth for Sharks ahead of Bulls showdown
Today at 04:05 AM
The Sharks will travel to Loftus Versfeld for Saturday's second round United Rugby Championship clash with the Bulls in Pretoria.
But while the Sharks are without a number of internationals, but their squad depth came in clutch as coach John Plumtree was still able to selecte a star-studded lineup with plenty of experience at this level.
Vincent Tshituka continues to carry the leadership responsibilities in the absence of Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi. Etzebeth has been sidelined with concussion symptoms from a head knock in the first week of December while Kolisi, along with scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, has been given time off in line with Bok resting protocols.
SHARKS GO BIG WITH TEAM SELECTION
In an all-Springbok front row, Plumtree picked props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Trevor Nyakane to scrum down either side of hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
Corne Rahl and Jason Jenkins team up in the second row, while Tino Mavesere and Phepsi Buthelezi join captain Tshituka in the loose trio.
In a surprise call, Siya Masuku has been given the No 10 jersey, prompting Jordan Hendrikse to swift to fullback
Masuku forms a halfback pairing with Springbok Grant Williams, while Lukhanyo Am partners with Jurenzo Julius in the midfield and Ethan Hooker, Yaw Penxe and Hendrikse complete the team, comprising the back three.
Saturday's clash between the Bulls and Sharks kicks off at 5pm.
SHARKS – 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Jaco Williams.
WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THIS DERBY?
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