Fassi in Sharks pre-season team

Springbok Aphelele Fassi will return to action for the Cell C Sharks on Friday when they take on the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg in a pre-season friendly.

Fassi, who was released from the Springbok side before the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, hasn’t had a chance to play since as there has been no provincial rugby, but hopefully will be able to showcase his skills in the game.

The Sharks have selected regulars such as Phepsi Buthelezi, Curwin Bosch and a number of others but only a handful of their new recruits, such as Carlu Sadie and Nevaldo Fleurs, are on the bench.

Interestingly Thembelani Bholi has been slotted in at lock alongside Reniel Hugo, a position he hasn’t seen much action in, in the past.

Lionel Cronje, who returned from Japan to rejoin the side, is on the bench.

Cell C Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Yaw Penxe, Marnus Potgieter, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Volminck, Curwin Bosch, Grant Williams; Phepsi Buthelezi, Dylan Richardson, James Venter, Reniel Hugo, Thembelani Bholi, Khutha Mchunu, Kerron van Vuuren, Dian Bleuler.

Replacements: Dan Jooste, Kwezi Mona, Carlu Sadie, Hanru Jacobs, Jaco Willemse, Hyron Andrews, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Zee Mkhabela, Lionel Cronje, Thaakir Abrahams, Nevaldo Fleurs, Werner Kok, Boeta Chamberlain.