Sharks name Springbok-laden side for URC clash against Stormers
Sharks head coach John Plumtree has named close to his strongest-available his team to face the Stormers in Saturday’s URC clash in Durban.
Sharks head coach John Plumtree has named close to his strongest-available his team to face the Stormers in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban.
Kick-off is at 17:00.
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With the international season now over, Plumtree has included a number of Springboks in his starting XV as well as among the replacements.
Ox Nche and Vincent Koch, Scottish international Dylan Richardson, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Aphelele Fassi and Grant Williams will all feature.
Richardson will start at hooker and form a front row with Nche and Koch.
Jason Jenkins and Gerbrandt Grobler will combine in the second row, while Kolisi will start at No 8 in the back row along with Vincent Tshituka and James Venter.
Jaden Hendrikse gets the No 9 jersey and his halfback partner will be Siya Masuku.
Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen will form a formidable midfield combination.
The back three will consist of Fassi, Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker.
Williams and Jordan Hendrikse will provide cover on the bench.
Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi – along others – were not available for selection.
Heading into what will be Round Seven action, the Sharks are ninth in the 16-team URC standings with 15 points after five matches.
Meanwhile, the Stormers are down in 13th spot with 10 points after a similar number of games.
TEAMS
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Emmanuel Tshituka, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Jordan Hendrikse
Stormers
TBA
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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