As anticipated Hollywoodbets Sharks coach John Plumtree has recalled his heavy artillery for Friday night’s round 15 Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Scarlets in Llanelli.
Plumtree made 15 changes to his starting team for last week’s URC game against Glasgow Warriors at the Scotstoun and this week he has pretty much reversed that, with scrumhalf Grant Williams and blindside flank Lappies Labuschagne the only players who started last week who will front from the kick-off at Parc Y Scarlets.
There were some players who played off the bench last week who are promoted to the starting team this time, including hooker Fez Mbatha and Springbok tighthead prop Vincent Koch, the exciting new centre Ethan Hooker, lock Emile van Heerden and Vincent Tshituka. It is interesting to note that Tshituka is playing No 8 instead of his usual flank or occasional second row position, while Mbatha is starting this week because of an injury to Bok hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
💥Team Release💥
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) April 25, 2024
Our Sharks team to take on The Scarlets tomorrow🦈
🔗: https://t.co/HGlnYCcCkt
⏰: 20H35 CAT
📺: SuperSport 201 & 211@Vodacom #URC #SCAvSHA pic.twitter.com/t7iyFCZTID
James Venter is also out injured which probably explains why Phepsi Buthelezi has been chosen at openside flank rather than No 8.
The 2019 Bok RWC winner Lukhanyo Am returns to the midfield as captain, with last week’s team leader, Francois Venter, moving to the bench. The game against the Scarlets will be wing Werner Kok’s 50th for the Sharks. The former Blitzbok star will be furthering his career overseas next season but he has been in outstanding form for the Sharks in recent weeks and more of the same will be expected of him as he makes his landmark experience.
Siya Masuku is another player who played off the bench last week who will be fronting this time, with Curwin Bosch, who wore the No 10 in Glasgow, among an extensive group of players listed as injured. Bosch has mostly been on the replacements bench recently and this week it will be Boeta Chamberlain who takes over as flyhalf cover.
Jaden Hendrikse is one of the Boks coming back after being rested against the Warriors but the scrumhalf is backing up fellow Bok scrumhalf from the bench rather than wearing the No 9 jersey.
Hollywoodbets Sharks team: Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am (captain), Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Grant Williams, Vincent Tshituka, Lappies Labuschagne, Phepsi Buthelezi, Emile van Heerden, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Fez Mbatha, Ox Nche. Replacements: Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Gerbrandt Grobler, Jaden Hendrikse, Boeta Chamberlain, Francois Venter.