After two impressive games as the starting fullback the 18-year-old South African Schools player Zekhethelo Siyaya has been switched to the Hollywoodbets Sharks No 10 jersey for Saturday’s penultimate Vodacom URC league clash with Benetton at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
After falling abysmally short in the regular season and missing out on the challenge for a top eight spot due to their tour losses to the Ospreys and Edinburgh the Sharks are playing only for pride in this game.
However, it is still a massive responsibility to be the flyhalf and it is a huge endorsement in Siyaya’s abilities on the part of coach JP Pietersen that he has been entrusted with being the game driver in what is effectively his first home game for the Sharks.
The chance to watch how Siyaya goes there might be enough reason for those Sharks fans who were weighing up whether to attend this game or not to head to the stadium. In a further exciting change from the last game, and with Springbok Ethan Hooker out injured, Jurenzo Julius returns to the starting team as skipper Andre Esterhuizen’s midfield partner.
Siya Masuku, now injured, switched from flyhalf to inside centre for the Edinburgh game, with Esterhuizen moving to outside centre. Julius’ return to the starting team means that Esterhuizen can go back to his regular position at inside centre, which will be handy in this game as it means he will be on hand to guide Siyaya through his first game at this level as a flyhalf.
Siyaya replaces Jean Smith at flyhalf, with Smith dropping to the bench, while to complete a double change at halfback Bradley Davids is in for the injured Jaden Hendrikse at scrumhalf. Hendrikse sustained a concussion against Edinburgh.
In one more change to the backline, Jaco Williams returns from injury to continue in the fullback role he last filled against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria. Eduan Swart is back at hooker as he and Fez Mbatha rotate between bench and starting team, and the two Springbok props, Ox Nche and Vincent Koch, are back in the run on team too, with Phatu Ganyane and Hanro Jacobs shifting to the bench.
Siya Kolisi begins his penultimate game for the Sharks before returning to the Stormers in the off season back in the No 6 jersey after he played off the bench in the loss to Edinburgh.
Hollywoodbets Sharks team: Jaco Williams, Edwill van der Merwe, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen (captain), Makazole Mapimpi, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Bradley Davids, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi, Emile van Heerden, Jason Jenkins, Vincent Koch, Eduan Swart, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Phatu Ganyane, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, Jean Smith, Litelihle Bester.