Hollywoodbets Sharks coach John Plumtree has made two changes for his team’s final Vodacom United Rugby Championship away league match of the season against Ulster in Belfast on Saturday night.
Emile van Heerden was injured in the 18-17 win over Edinburgh last week so he is replaced as captain Eben Etzebeth’s second-row partner by the highly capable Jason Jenkins.
The Sharks do appear to be short of locks on tour because loose-forward Emmanuel Tshituka is the lock backup on the bench. Of course his brother, Vincent, has played second row quite a lot and it is the older of the two siblings who is most likely to play lock should it be required during the game.
The other change also comes in the pack, with the ball scavenging openside flank James Venter being recalled for this match in place of Phepsi Buthelezi, who moves to the bench. The Sharks will be looking to make it a successful tour by banking a second win to go with the one against Edinburgh to make it a 100 per cent return from their two matches.
With two Welsh teams set to visit Durban for the final two league games, Scarlets and the Ospreys, a first ever win for the Sharks at the Kingspan will create a good platform for the closing phase of the season. It goes without saying though that they will need to improve on their patchy performance in Edinburgh if they want the right result from the game.
Apart from Buthelezi switching to the bench for Venter, there is one more change to the impact squad. Springbok Grant Williams was the backup scrumhalf to Jaden Hendrikse in Edinburgh but this week Bradley Davids is filling that role.
HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS TEAM: Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka, James Venter, Jason Jenkins, Eben Etzebeth (captain), Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Manu Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Bradley Davids, Siya Masuku, Jurenzo Julius.