Whitehead returns for Sharks
New Sharks boss Brendan Venter produced a good mix of youth and experience in his first team, to take on Griquas in the Currie Cup opener in Durban on Friday.
The team features seven Springboks in the starting XV and another on the bench, with a couple of rookies thrown in for good measure.
The most noteworthy selection is the return of Tim Whitehead from long-term hand and arm injuries for his first official match. He had an extended run in a practice match last week, but will partner Louis Ludik in the midfield on Friday.
Veteran Bok Odwa Ndungane has been named at fullback, where he is set to play exclusively this season – with his experience, calmness and skills under the high ball to be called upon in the last line of defence.
He was praised for his value by the new coaching boss, Venter.
"We were very impressed with Odwa in training, his conditioning is fantastic and he's a leader," Venter said.
"We see him primarily as a fullback now.
"He will help to give our backbone some zip as well. He's experienced, he organises the backs."
Other Boks starting are wing Lwazi Mvovo, flyhalf Butch James, scrumhalf Charl McLeod, No.8 Keegan Daniel (as captain), flank Jean Deysel and new recruit Marco Wentzel at lock.
Brynard Stander, a player in a similar mould to Marcell Coetzee, is one of the rookies in the starting XV – along with wing Sizo Maseko.
Venter said Griquas are a clever outfit.
"They know how to do well in the Currie Cup, they've recruited a lot of old hands, senior players, clever players and it will be a tough start for us," the Sharks' Director of Rugby said.
"We look forward to it and we want to measure ourselves against these people and see how good we can be."
Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Sizo Maseko, 13 Louis Ludik, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Butch James, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Edwin Hewitt, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Fred Zeilinga, 22 Jaco van Tonder.
Date: Friday, August 9
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Jason Jaftha
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Willie Roos
