Sharks reveal scary front row for Edinburgh clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has made a number of changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round 13 match against Edinburgh in Durban.
The Sharks will start the match with an all-Springbok front row. Ox Nche replaces Ntuthuko Mchunu and Vincent Koch gets his first start after making his debut off the bench last week.
Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi completes the front row.
In other changes, Emile van Heerden replaces Gerbrandt Grobler in the second row while James Venter returns to the back row.
Phepsi Buthelezi shifts to No.8 in place of George Cronje who suffered an injury last week
In the backline, Werner Kok replaces the injured Eduan Keyter on the wing, while Francois Venter comes in for Ethan Hooker in the midfield.
The other players that are not available for selection due to injury include Aphiwe Dyantyi, Coenie Oosthuizen, Dylan Richardson, Fez Mbatha, Grant Williams, Marnus Potgieter, Nevaldo Fleurs, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Zee Mkhabela
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Ethan Hooker.
Date: Saturday, March 30
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 UK & Ireland time; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa) and Jonothan Lottering (South Africa)
TMO: Marc Patton (Ireland)
