Sharks load up on Boks for Lions
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks will be bolstered by the inclusion of two Springbok front row forwards for their Currie Cup Round Six encounter with the Golden Lions on Saturday.
The return to action of Thomas du Toit and Coenie Oosthuizen (the latter off the bench) will be a major boost to the young side.
Their inclusion couldn’t come at a better time, as the unbeaten Sharks look to finish off the pool stages of the competition in victorious style.
Du Toit returned from Bok duty, while Oosthuizen makes his much-awaited return in the No.17 jersey after a long-term injury.
In another big boost Ruben van Heerden, the newly-signed 20-year-old Bulls and South Africa Under-20 lock who has joined the Sharks on a three-year contract, will look to earn his debut off the bench.
The Sharks have three games remaining – this week’s match against the Lions, followed by Western Province and Griquas – before the knock-out rounds.
“It’s about peaking at the right time,” flyhalf Robert du Preez said.
“You want to be playing your best rugby at the business end of the competition, not in the first few weeks,” Du Preez – one of seven Boks in the starting XV – said.
“We are a young team and want to play an exciting brand of rugby, but that comes with consequences. If we can show more patience, we’ll be fine.”
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Ruben van Heerden, 19 Jacques Vermeulen, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Sibusiso Nkosi, 22 Aphelele Fassi.
Date: Saturday, September 22
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT)
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Blake Beattie
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
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— Steve Haag Sports (@STEVEHAAGSPORT) September 18, 2018
