Hollywoodbets Sharks coach John Plumtree has brought in the hero of the latter parts of last season, Siya Masuku, as his starting flyhalf for Friday night’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Ospreys in Durban.
Masuku replaces the regular starting flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse, who appears on the list of the Sharks’ injured players who were unavailable for this game but even if he was fit the Springbok might not have been the choice starting pivot.
Masuku, who was a key player when the Sharks won the EPCR Challenge Cup last year, has mostly played second fiddle to Hendrikse since the Springbok moved to Durban from Johannesburg.
🔥Your Hollywoodbets Sharks team for tomorrow🔥
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 8, 2025
Read the full team release article on https://t.co/UiVdNQY6oE @Vodacom #URC #SHAvOSP pic.twitter.com/LlbxHkaFxC
However, in recent matches it has been noticeable that the Sharks have improved their game when he has come on from the bench so the selection is not a surprising one.
It is the penultimate URC league match of the season for the Sharks and apart from needing three log points to make sure of a home playoff game they will be looking to hit their straps after a clutch of patchy recent performances where they were good in parts but bad in others.
With a probable quarterfinal against the in form DHL Stormers looming in early June, the Sharks need to pick up momentum in their attacking game, and while Hendrikse is a talented player his game driving has been poor.
Eben Etzebeth is back to captain the side after being withdrawn on the day of the Ulster game after being diagnosed with flu, but fellow Bok Ox Nche won’t be lining up with him in the Sharks pack against the Welsh team, who are currently 11th on the URC log and come to Durban with plenty to play for.
THE EN4CER 😤 pic.twitter.com/bnvIW6iNQR
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 7, 2025
According to the Sharks press release that accompanied the team announcement, Nche is ill.
He will be replaced at loosehead prop by Dian Bleuler, thus with Etzebeth, who was selected for the Ulster game but did not play, back in the second row it is a total of two changes to the Sharks pack from the one that started in the come-from-behind 22-19 win at the Kingspan Stadium two weeks ago.
JULIUS IN FOR AM
In addition to the switch of flyhalf, there is one other change to the Sharks backline for Friday’s game, with young Jurenzo Julius coming in for Bok World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am at outside centre.
Am is listed among the injured players, with Francois Venter covering centre and Yaw Penxe as the other outside back reserve.
One area the Sharks appear a little short at the moment is the second row.
While Etzebeth’s return has bolstered the home team at lock, there is no specialist lock on the bench.
Vincent Tshituka, who starts at blindside flank, has played second row and will probably provide the cover, with the two non-front row forwards on the bench, Emmanuel Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi, both being loose-forwards.
The locks who appear on the Sharks’ injured list as they head towards the business end of the season include Gerbrandt Grobler, Emile van Heerden and Corne Rahl.
Final touches ✅@vodacom #URC #SHAvOSP pic.twitter.com/l1eujNE18S
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 8, 2025
TEAM: Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka, James Venter, Jason Jenkins, Eben Etzebeth (captain), Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Dian Bleuler.
REPLACEMENTS: Fez Mbatha, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Emmanuel Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Bradley Davids, Francois Venter, Yaw Penxe.
Andre Esterhuizen and Jurenzo Julius are set for their 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐇 start together this weekend 🦈
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) May 8, 2025
What is the best Sharks centre pairing? pic.twitter.com/M0qxhrWnwF