Sharks changed up for Kimberley trip
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks travel to Kimberley on Wednesday to take on Griquas, as the second half of the season gets underway.
After a tightly-contested opening round 24-23 victory over Griquas at Kings Park in January, Griquas will be highly motivated to return the favour at their home ground, a venue that hasn’t always been very kind to visiting teams.
With further wins over Western Province, the Lions and Pumas, the Sharks will look to build on their early form that handed them four wins from their first four rounds.
Three points separate the two teams on the log, with the Sharks currently sitting in third place on 18 points, while Griquas occupy fourth position on 15 points.
Sharks Currie Cup coach Etienne Fynn has made a number of changes to his team, two of them rotational.
He has brought livewire flank Dylan Richardson in for Thembelani Bholi in the only change to the pack.
There are several changes amongst the backs.
Jeremy Ward moves from outside centre to the inside centre berth in place of Ethan Fisher, with Marnus Potgieter wearing the No.13 jersey.
Another positional switch sees Lloyd Koster coming in at wing for Yaw Penxe, who moves to fullback in place of Jordan Chait
Following on from their outstanding form in junior rugby, Sharks Under-20 scrumhalf, flyhalf Bradley Davids and Jean Smith have earned a call-up to the Currie Cup team and will look to feature off the bench in the latter part of the game.
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Lloyd Koster, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Curwin Gertse, 10 Joaquin Bonilla, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter (captain), 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Olajuwon Noah, 21 Thembelani Bholi, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Jean Smith.
Date: Wednesday, April 6
Venue: Griqua Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 17.45 (15.45 GMT)
Referee: Adriaan Jacobs
Assistant referees: Jaco Kotze, Local
TMO: Egon Seconds
