Sharks add some Samoan bite for Griquas visit
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Etienne Fynn has named a strong, experienced side to host Griquas in Round Two of the Currie Cup.
The Sharks, who had a bye in Round One, host Griquas in Durban on Wednesday.
Headlining an interesting selection is Samoan import Olajuwon Noa, who had his first outing for the Durban franchise in a pre-season outing against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in November.
This will be the 32-year-old’s Currie Cup debut.
Despite a commendable track record in Australian domestic rugby, the Auckland-born Noa only made his Samoan debut in a World Cup qualifier last year and has two Test caps to his name.
He featured on the blindside flank for his country and will also wear the No.7 jersey for the Sharks.
Other noteworthy selections include veteran Springbok prop Lourens Adriaanse, capped six times, Thembelani Bholi, Marius Louw (who will captain the side), veteran scrumhalf Cameron Wright and BlitzBok Werner Kok.
On the wing Eduan Keyter, an off-season import from Griquas, will make his Sharks debut.
Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Jordan Chait, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Mpilo Gumede,
7 Olajuwon Noa, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Replacements: 16 Jason Alexander, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Josh Moon, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Murray Koster, 23 Marnus Potgieter.
Date: Wednesday, January 19
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.45 (15.45 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: aul Mente, Yanga Sotshangane
TMO: Quinton Immelman
