Sharks spring a surprise with 'injured' Bok in midfield for semifinal

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team to face the Bulls in Saturday’s Currie Cup semifinal at Loftus Versfeld.

Plumtree has made six changes and one rotational change this week.

Fez Mbatha comes in for Dylan Richardson at hooker, with Corne Rahl replacing Gerbrandt Grobler at lock and James Venter coming in for Emmanuel Tshituka in the back row.

Amongst the backs, Ethan Hooker shifts from centre to wing in place of Makazole Mapimpi.

Springbok centres Andre Esterhuizen and Francois Venter will form a new midfield partnership.

Esterhuizen ‘s inclusion is a surprise after Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said he was going to be out of action for three months with a shoulder problem when he addressed the media ahead of All Black Tests.

“Andre I think is 12 weeks. Always when they’ve got to have surgery, they fix two or three things that have been bothering them,” Erasmus said at the time.

The centre was left out of the Bok squad that will be travelling to Argentina for a Test match against Los Pumas.

In the back three, Eduan Keyter takes over from Lili Bester on the wing.

Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Litelihle Bester.

Date: Saturday, September 14
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: TBC
TMO: TMO