Bongi and Eben return to bolster Sharks

The star Springbok duo of Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi have returned to bolster the Hollywoodbets pack in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup pool match against the Exeter Chiefs in Durban.

Etzebeth will assume the captaincy role from Bok leader Siya Kolisi and replaces Jason Jenkins in the engine room. Jenkins moves to the bench. Etzebeth didn’t face his old team, the DHL Stormers, at Hollywoodbets Kings Park last week because Sharks coach John Plumtree felt he was feeling too much wear and tear from a tough Bok tour of the United Kingdom.

Mbonambi missed the game because of a family bereavement and returns to the side for Dylan Richardson, who moves to the bench. Trevor Nyakane comes into the team as the starting tighthead for Vincent Koch and this will be Nyakane’s first start for the Sharks at this level of competition. He has played most of his games for the Sharks since moving to Durban from France off the bench.

In further changes to the team that started against the Stormers Eduan Keyter comes back on the right wing for Ethan Hooker, who is back at his regular position of outside centre, Grant Williams is back as the starting scrumhalf for Jaden Hendrikse and Jordan Hendrikse wears the No 10 jersey in place of Siya Masuku. Masuke will play off the bench, as will Jaden Hendrikse.

Bok World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am is listed as one of the players who will miss this week because of injury and the Sharks are fortunate to have a player of the quality of young Hooker, who has been in irrepressible form on the wing this season, to replace him. In the absence of Am, Francois Venter is back in the matchday squad as one of the reserves.

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS: Aphelele Fassi, Eduan Keyter, Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Grant Williams, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka, James Venter, Emile van Heerden, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. 

PREPLACEMENTS: Dylan Richardson, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jaden Hendrikse, Siya Masuku, Francois Venter.