Springbok captain Siya Kolisi headlines the return of several national players to the Hollywoodbets Sharks team for Saturday’s eagerly awaited Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby in Durban.
Kolisi will lead the side against the Vodacom Bulls at Hollywoodbets Kings Park from the No 8 position that is becoming his own at his franchise, but two key members of the Sharks pack will be missing the game.
Eben Etzebeth has obviously failed his HIA test as he is listed among the injured players, and so is Bongi Mbonambi, who it is understood sustained a fracture against Exeter Chiefs two weeks ago.
Both players are vital members of the Sharks tight five so the Bulls should see their absence as a window of opportunity.
The duo were also missing when the Sharks hosted the Stormers three weeks ago and they were sorely missed then as although the Sharks won the game, they were dominated in the set phases.
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However Vincent Koch, who was injured in that game, is back at tighthead prop, and Ox Nche, who missed the trip to Welford Road to play the Leicester Tigers in the Investec Champions Cup last weekend, is also back to help him eke out an advantage in the scrum battle against a team that should include a trio of Boks in Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw.
Also back for the Sharks is fullback Aphelele Fassi, who has become a Bok frontliner this year.
He comes in for Jordan Hendrikse, who moves back to flyhalf for Siya Masuku, who moves to the bench.
Andre Esterhuizen and Makazole Mapimpi are the other Bok returnees to the backline, with Jaden Hendrikse continuing at scrumhalf.
In order to accommodate Kolisi, Emmanuel Tshituka moves to the blindside flank, where he will be partnered by last week’s captain, Phepsi Buthelezi.
The same second row that played in the Leicester game, Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden, will anchor the scrum from the second row in the absence of Etzebeth.
It is interesting to note that young looseforward Nick Hatton, who captained the Sharks for much of the Currie Cup season and signed an extension of his contract this week, makes a rare appearance in the URC match day squad as a member of the bench.
Bok veteran tighthead Trevor Nyakane is also on the bench as he makes way for the return of Koch to the starting team.
Another Bok, former Emirates Lions player Ruan Dreyer, is also on the bench, while an absent Bok is Grant Williams, who is listed among the currently injured Sharks players.
Jurenzo Julius makes a welcome return from his injury layoff with inclusion on the bench.
Hollywoodbets Sharks team: Aphelele Fassi, Yaw Penxe, Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse, Siya Kolisi (captain), Emmanuel Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Emile van Heerden, Jason Jenkins, Vincent Koch, Dylan Richardson, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Ethan Bester, Ruan Dreyer, Trevor Nyakane, Corne Rahl, Nick Hatton, Cameron Wright, Siya Masuku, Jurenzo Julius.